By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
A psychologist from the West Allenhurst section of Ocean Township has completed her second film about teenagers.
Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, who has an office in Long Branch, describes herserlf as a “positive psychologist.”
The concept for Holstein’s film “A Selfie Film: Falling in Love” is based on her Kindle ebook “Secrets: Diary of a Gutsy Teen.” The film’s premise is to show the good side of selfies and combat the bad press selfies usually receive.
“A lot of good can come out of recording our own lives,” Holstein said.
The only actor in the 14 minute film, Megan Brown, recorded her own selfies using her phone.
Scenes from the film take place at Tuzzio’s in Long Branch, at the The Ballet School in Allenhurst, and at a farm in Tinton Falls.
Brown recorded her scenes after receiving the script and direction from Holstein.
The theme of the film is falling in love for the first time.
“As a psychologist I see first love as so critical to how people develop,” Holstein said. “They remember every detail, they even remember that more than their own honeymoon.”
In the film Brown has moved to a new town, finds herself lonely and develops a crush on a boy she sees on the school bus.
Holstein’s first film, “Truth, a Short Film,” was based on her book “Truth: Diary of a Gutsy Tween,” and won awards at the 2016 Garden State Film Festival and the Golden Door Film Festival.
Holstein is now looking for a distributor of her new film and said she hopes it will “get the discussion going.”
