openPR Logo
Press release

Selfies Have Now Become An Art Form - Barbara Becker Holstein's New Short Film 'The Truth' Sets The Example

09-19-2016 03:12 PM CET | Arts & Culture

Press release from: Barbara Becker Holstein

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein

An article on The Atlantic website entitled 'Selfies Are Art' made a point that is very easy for some of us to overlook - selfies are a form of self expression and can be used to communicate many things, going far beyond merely promoting oneself. Positive Psychologist Barbara Becker Holstein has taken that concept to its logical conclusion.

'The Truth - A Short Film' uses the selfie concept to paint a portrait of a young girl. The new short film shows us how she attempts to deal with life changing problems, concerns, challenges and issues all young girls face. The result is an eye-opening, in-depth exploration of her life, giving viewer the distinct impression that they have been somehow magically embedded into that life. If the selfie concept were be transformed into an art form, 'The Truth' would be the result.

We have a tendency to lump selfies into a genre, rather than seeing the person behind the attempt at communication. As stated in The Atlantic article, "In the process, individual voices get flattened out. Each unique teen girl posting a selfie, regardless of why she does it, becomes the generic 'teen girl.'

"This is not to say that selfies have no common characteristics. Talking about the sociological implications of those characteristics can be fine as long as it's done carefully. For that matter, both Small and Kelly are engaged in a dialog with and about the selfie as genre, just as all artists engage in a dialog with their art form. But recognizing that selfies are a genre is different than saying that selfies have one overarching truth, be it empowerment or degradation. Instead of rushing to put every individual into one box, it would be nice if we could take the time to look at individual selfies as individual selfies—portraits that represent different people, rather than a single, monotonous, multi-headed self."

Dr. Holstein agrees. "This quote from The Atlantic is as relevant today as when it was published three years ago," she stated. "Even more so, as selfies are finally distinguishing themselves as not only individual portraits of different people, but also having the capacities to bring new life to various art forms. In particular, I am interested in the development of selfies as a new form of dramatic presentation in film making.

"Both of my films, 'The Truth' and now in production, 'Secrets' make use of this new dramatic art form. In each film the actresses, Cassidy Terracciano in 'The Truth' and Megan Brown in 'Secrets', have taken the scripts home and used their phones to record selfies of each scene based on my two books, 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen'.

Megan Brown, 14, an aspiring actor and artist who loves exploring the different ways that different human minds interpret art and emotion, now in the middle of recording her scenes in 'Secrets', made several comments on this new art form:

"Because I film by myself and re-watch the videos I take, I make notes on what I should fix or change. The girl has made it easier for me to find out more about myself also."

"It feels more realistic and human. I would love to make one (a short film), once I have a solid plot."

"I don't have a singular favorite scene, but I do enjoy the scenes where the girl admits her insecurities and fears about growing up, because I have those from time to time also."

"As a psychologist and educator I realize how important her remarks are," Dr. Holstein stated. "They indicated that she is having a chance to not only bond more intimately with her character but to learn more about her. She is taking responsibility to make each scene come alive, rather than waiting on the enthusiasm or watchful eye of the director, or even criticism from outside to push her along. She has internalized the scope of the integration that must happen to make a character live and she is making it happen."

"That her favorites reflect the normal insecurities and fears of growing up pleases me again as a professional, as I believe my films are helping the viewer learn more about themselves, whatever their age. And that is in a large part because the two actresses have had a chance to deeper what they give to the screen. It is a win-win for a new form of art,#Selfiesasfilm and for another way to encourage self development, courage and determination in our youngsters."

The short two minute film by Dr. Holstein, 'The Truth, A Short Short Film', premiered at FilmOneFest in July. The film was chosen as an Official Selection in the Chain Film Festival held in Manhattan on August 13, 2016. 'The Truth, a Short Film', a longer 16 minute portrayal of a girl growing up, has been officially selected for the Golden Door International Film Festival to be held in September 2016. The Rahway International Film Festival recently chose the 2 minute version as an Official Selection.

Dr. Holstein's entire body of work is great for parents, grandparents, older siblings and teachers to establish lines of communication with the tweens and teens in their lives. Her books have received numerous awards. A recent review of Dr. Holstein's book, 'Secrets', stated, "This book should ideally be stocked in the home libraries of families with children and in school libraries worldwide."

'The Truth' focuses on how teens communicate their deepest needs. A trailer from her new short film, 'The Truth', an Official Choice of the Garden State Film Festival, is available at her website. The trailer captures the world of technology and its public nature with the intense needs of a young girl to share her most private and most intimate thoughts, feelings, ideas and secrets.

"In today's world of likes, lols and longing to be seen, noticed, validated, talked about, often by 'friends' only known virtually, where are her deepest thoughts and longings going? Both the trailer, even in 47 seconds and the film 'The Truth, A Short Film' of 16 minutes are great to use to get kids and parents talking about today's social media world that we all live in."

A sequel to 'The Truth', 'Secrets', starring Megan Brown, is currently in production. In the sequel, based on 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen', a girl continues to keep both a virtual diary on her cell phone and a paper diary. She is a year older and although she has matured, her longings and her hunger to find a home for her feelings and intense emotions are even stronger.

Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at drbarbara@enchantedself.com. All of her books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble and all other online retailers. More information is available at her website.

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website was just included as one of the best websites in positive psychology. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.

Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting.

She has been a contributor to Heart and Soul, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, The Wall Street Journal, Time on line, the Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.

170 Morris Ave.,
Long Branch, New Jersey 07740
http://www.thetruthforgirls.com

This release was published on openPR.

Permanent link to this press release:

Copy
Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.

You can edit or delete your press release Selfies Have Now Become An Art Form - Barbara Becker Holstein's New Short Film 'The Truth' Sets The Example here

News-ID: 364682 • Views:

More Releases from Barbara Becker Holstein

New Film About School Shootings, 'Lock Down' By Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, Tak …
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein's films have received a huge number of industry awards. She recently announced that her latest and most powerful film about school shootings, 'Lock Down', took Honorable Mention in the Los Angeles Independent Shorts Awards for Best Children's Short and Best Trailer/Teaser. The trailer is available at her website. Special versions of the full film are available to educators and media. What is on the minds of kids
Body Shaming, Social Media, Bullying And The Drive To Be Best - Videos For Educa …
We want our children to be safe and to develop healthy self esteem and self confidence. This has always been the case. But today these basics are very difficult to achieve. Recently the New York Times ran a front page article regarding how lockdowns and school shootings leave our kids with years of ongoing trauma they must cope with. Of all places, kids should certain be safe at home and in
Body Shaming, Social Media, Bullying And The Drive To Be Best - Selfie Filmmaker …
For kids, the world has become a very dangerous place, more so today than in any other time in history. We have just experienced the anniversary of the Parkland school shooting. This was but one of many. A new book book by Lisa Damour, 'Under Pressure', details the "Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls." The media has produced hundreds of articles about the stresses experienced by young people. A
School Shooting Lockdowns Can Traumatize Young Children - Award Winning Author, Psychologist And Selfie Filmmaker Barbara Becker Holstein Helps Open The Doors Of Communication Via The Selfie Project
School Shooting Lockdowns Can Traumatize Young Children - Award Winning Author, …
A recent story on the Washington Post website detailed some of the psychological effects school lockdowns create in school age children. The story was as heartbreaking as it was eye-opening. Some young children weep with terror. Others write final messages to family members - and worse. Our children do not deserve to be subjected to such horrific lockdown situations in places where they should feel completely safe. Sadly though, it is

All 5 Releases


More Releases for Truth

Curcumin: The Hype and The Truth
Curcumin is a natural chemical produced by the turmeric plant (similar to ginger). It is bright yellow in color and is marketed as an herbal supplement, ingredient used in cosmetics, food flavorings, and food coloring. For the past few years there has been a tremendous interest in the effects of turmeric curcumin and the way it affects the human body. There are currently hundreds (if not thousands) of companies bottling
Manisha Mohan Wagh Shakes up the Legal Fraternity with her Novel “The Truth, t …
Zorba Books publishes a new title The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth, So Help Me God” by Manisha Mohan Wagh, a multi-talented academician, with many laurels to her name. Gurgaon, Haryana, June 07, 2017 -- Zorba Books publishes a new title The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth, So Help Me God” by Manisha Mohan Wagh, a multi-talented academician, with many laurels to her
The Truth about LED Lifespan
50,000 hrs? 60,000hrs? 10 years? 20 years? What is the real deal? Typical incandescent bulbs last 1,000 to 2,000 hours; LED retrofit replacements are quoted to last around 25,000 to 50,000 hours. But why 25,000 or 50,000 hours? This is measured by the light emanating from the product to be 70% of the brightness from when it was new. This became the standard because lighting industry engineers believe that at this
Crystallising the Truth
mosquito® Crystal: Key for Identifying the Structure of Intracellular Glutathione Transport Protein TTP LabTech today announced the availability for download of an application note entitled “mosquito® Crystal for the rapid screening and optimisation of crystallisation conditions of the bacterial periplasmic binding protein, HbpA and the elucidation of its role as a glutathione import protein”. The revolutionary design of the mosquito® Crystal offers accurate and rapid nanolitre dispensing of even the
"What is Truth?" Author Daniel Leigh Explains Truth In His Book, Truth to Life
"What is Truth?" Author Daniel Leigh Explains Truth In His Book, Truth to Life For Immediate Release 2000 years ago, Pilate asked Jesus, "What is Truth?" (John 18:38) Generations have come and gone, yet still today the question remains unanswered for billions of people. Truth has been maligned; while the illusion has dealt widespread destruction. Truth to Life leads the reader on a journey to prove for themselves Truth is more than a
Promise you nothing but the truth and always the truth
Sunday Word Good Morning, I am back in your newspaper. Now my engagement for the new newspaper has been delayed and I am glad to be present in \"ZIARUL de Sibiu\" every Friday again. Some of my readers did actually miss me. I admit that it does me good, when you speak to me in the street and tell me that you welcome my clear words. So please continue to