Category Archives: blog post

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The Inside Scoop: Writer-Director Carl Seaton

Carl Seaton III

When you first meet writer/director Carl Seaton, the word solid comes to mind – both in presence and in essence.  Dude is serious.  An auteur rooted in his craft, and point of view, a Brother with a purpose.   We took a moment to discuss his latest offering to our series with Turn Down For What.

Tell me about the concept for your second hard-hitting FSC episode, Turn Down For What?

The idea came up after I heard Mr. Stand your ground was going to do a celebrity boxing match where he would fight DMX. The fact that he is viewed as a celebrity didn’t sit well with me so I started bouncing around various scenarios. I’m also a student of history and when I read about the historical reference I mentioned in the piece it affected me deeply on multiple levels.

This was also written and shot months before Ferguson occurred and the #blacklivesmatter movement began. In this social media age things get a lot of attention then everyone moves on to the next sensationalized topic. I didn’t want the senseless murder of Trayvon to fade in to obscurity ever.

It was also done to reflect the frustration that a lot of men feel about the depiction black men and boys in the country. That is why I felt it would resonate when we find out there professions.

What would you say to those who find the subject matter controversial?

It is meant to be controversial as well as polarizing but more importantly I hope that it provokes discussion and gives insight in to the intellect, frustration, and sensitivity of African American men.

What is the most important thing for you as an artist, as a filmmaker?  What inspires you?

The mantra that I live by is “Art is the lie that allows us to see the truth.” As an artist the most important thing to me is telling authentic stories that elevate, inspire, and effect the audience. Great storytelling inspires me. A film like #whiplash which is a small film about a drummer is an amazing story with a great theme that inspired me recently. Game changing content inspires me as well but it’s not just film or TV, it can be music, a photo, or even a quote.

When casting for your FSC episodes,  what is your process for selecting the right actors?   What do you look for?

I am fortunate to know so many extremely talented actors personally that I have seen in other films, web series, and in the theater. I look at a lot of things and make mental notes on people to watch. What I look for is an actors investment in the performance. I’ve seen very bad films with great performances by actors.

Some would say this is an opportune time for Black cinema and television, while others point to the lack of diversity at award shows as an indicator of how far we are from full representation.  Is there anything in particular you would you like to see going forward in regards to african american filmmakers?

Yes diversity is a huge topic of discussion right now but more importantly the industry is shifting away from the the normal distribution outlets. The millennials are showing us all how to generate content while building Your audience that will follow you wherever you go. This ideology of self empowerment is the kind of thing that will shift the standard way of how things have gone before.

Any upcoming projects you can share with our viewers?  

I’m currently working on two different features LINE, a dramedy about brotherhood and W4M, an erotic thriller.

 

Dig it.

blog post, Episodes |

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Anniversaire (subtitled)

Écrit par Laurent Chardin-Rischmann, Anniversaire explore l’évolution des points de vue de la société sur la santé publique.  Cet épisode a été réalisé par Allen Sowelle, et propose des spectacles effort par Mukta Cholette et Celia Champion.

Written by Laurent Chardin-Rischmann, “Anniversaire,” explores changing societal views around public health.  This episode was directed by Allen Sowelle, and features effortless performances by Mukta Cholette and Celia Champion.

blog post, Episodes |

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La Garde (subtitled)

A woman arrives at a crossroads about her marriage.  Directed by Allen L. Sowelle, and featuring wonderful performances by Caroline Amiguet and Helene Cardona, this episode was adapted by Laurent Chardin-Rischmann from Alejandra Okie-Hollister’s “Story of my Life.”

Une femme arrive à un carrefour de son mariage.  R´ealis´e par et doté de magnifiques performances par Caroline Amiguet et Hélène Cardona, cet épisode a été adapté par Laurent Chardin-Rischmann d’Alejandra Okie-Hollister de “Histoire de ma vie.”

blog post, Episodes |

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Dis Moi (subtitled)

This is one of our first episodes shot entirely in French.  Adapted from Cassandra Cooper’s “If I Tell U,” Dis Moi, and edited in Black & White, features not only the beautiful Monia Ayachi, but also mulit-talented French Hip Hop Artist Gilles Duarte a.k.a. Stomy Bugsy.  This episode was directed by Allen l. Sowelle.  Adapted by Laurent Chardin-Rischmann.

blog post, Episodes |

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Dis Moi

This is one of our first episodes shot entirely in French.  Adapted from Cassandra Cooper’s “If I Tell U,” Dis Moi, and edited in Black & White, features not only the beautiful Monia Ayachi, but also mulit-talented French Hip Hop Artist Gilles Duarte a.k.a. Stomy Bugsy.  This episode was directed by Allen l. Sowelle.  Adapted by Laurent Rischmann.

blog post, Episodes |

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A straight couple argue over values and intolerance.

 

 

In episode three season three, and our third installment on the topic of same-sex marriage, a young woman confronts her boyfriend over his seemingly intolerant behavior.

Written by Karli Kaiser, co-directed by Karli and Devon K. Lee, this episode features Mia Eden and Kinyumba Mutakabbir.

 

 

blog post, Episodes |

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“The World deserves to know how much I Love You.”

http://blip.tv/front-seat-chronicles/the-traditionalist-6598891

In this episode addressing Marriage Equality, Shawna tries to convince her fiancée Victoria, that they deserve a wedding.  There’s only one problem….
Written and Directed by Allen L. Sowelle, this episode features Elvina Beck and Joni Colburn.

blog post, Episodes |

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A father confronts his daughter on her views around homosexuality.

In our third season of Front Seat Chronicles we are looking at a number of issues that cut across the cultural landscape.  Up first is the topic of Marriage Equality for same-sex couples.

In this first episode, a protective father questions his daughter on the public display of affection by two gay teen classmates.

Written by Josh Feinman, co-directed Josh and Allen L. Sowelle.  This episode features Howard Dell and Jenai Beal-Permal.

Share if you can.  We always look forward to your comments.

 

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About Series

Front Seat Chronicles (FSC) is a series about transformation.

We’ve all had those transitional moments, those pivotal conversations in our lives with a spouse, partner, family member, or close friend.  Be the conversations about a faltering relationship, a financial hardship, or the letting go of a loved one, with Front Seat Chronicles we peer into the moment as two people try to rise above, reconcile, or release their respective challenges.

Many of the stories are hopeful, some sad, but they all strive give us an honest view of where we are. Herein lies the aspiration, the lesson, and the dream. In addition to sharing these conversations with you, we will on occasion provide insights and/or links related to the topic of each episode.

Most important -Front Seat Chronicles is a collaboration of diverse and remarkable writers and actors lending their talents to facilitate conversation and understanding.

Inspired by The Conversation, a short story written by Mohammed Bilal, the Front Seat Chronicles series was created by writer/director Allen L. Sowelle, is produced by Josh Feinman, and shot by cinematographer Devon K. Lee.

 

 

blog post, Filmmaker Interviews |

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Inside Scoop: A conversation with writer Cassandra Cooper

It would take a while to cover Cassandra’s bio, so let me get to the crux.  Cassandra Cooper is quietly on the verge of becoming a force, a major player in the industry.  They’ll be much more about this later.  For now, we are so fortunate to have her display her writing chops for this episode of Front Seat Chronicles.  I recently caught up with her about her intense episode, “If I Tell U.”

Hey Cassandra, I know you’re incredibly busy, so thanks for taking time for this.

No problem, I’m very excited about this project so I will find the time for it, and you.
Among the many things you’re doing, how did you come to be involved with Front Seat Chronicles?
Well I initially  pitched an idea for a webseries to PIC.TV on the topic of HIV/AIDS. When series creator Allen Sowelle  showed me a few episodes of the series I thought this was a good way to get the conversation going.
****SPOILER ALERT****When I was editing this episode, most of the feedback could be summed up in one word – “damn.”  It’s that impactful.  How did you come to choose this topic?
LOL. I love to hear it has the “Damn” factor because that is what is needed sometimes to get people’s attention and that was exactly the point of the piece.  The topic was natural choice for me as it’s a lifelong cause of mine. When I was 13 years of age, I had a moped accident, was pronounced dead. Well obviously I survived , when i awoke, I was informed I had,  received a blood transfusion. Nearly a year later I was notified the blood may have been tainted. Out of 100 recipients in that time frame I was the only one who WAS NOT positive. The angst I felt waiting on those results , and then the relief when I got the “All clear” lead me to be a proponent very early on. My passion for spreading awareness is as strong today as it has ever was, because i knew it would not be limited to the gay community as most originally thought. My best friend is also living with HIV and has for the past 20 years so I get an up close and personal view of what that’s like also.
With nearly 90% of HIV transmissions due to heterosexual contact,  in 2010 alone, according to the CDC, African-American women accounted for over 33% of all female AIDS diagnoses in the US.  Five times more that Latinas, nearly 23 times more than White women.  What do you see as the number one cause, and where do you see the biggest disconnect?
We do not have open dialog in our homes, churches and the like and sadly many still operate under the he looks clean, she looks clean mentality. They don’t recognize the face of HIV/AIDS is one that looks very much like their own. Many of our men, populate the prison system and some sadly lead alternate down low lifestyles so a good many women do not even know they are at putting themselves at risk, because again we are basing sexual relationships off of appearances alone.
In increasing awareness around prevention in the African-American community, where should it start?  Or where should the emphasis be placed?
IT starts in the home, at the schools, at the churches. wherever the nucleus of your community is. They have  an obligation to encourage women to be proactive when it comes to SAFER SEX.
When I was directing this episode, I mentioned if I could just work with Walter and Patrice over and over, I will have had a career fulfilled.   What do you think about their portrayals of your words?
 Walter brought it home for me. I could see his fear and his hopes all slip away at the prospect of the unknown. I am already writing something else with him in mind. He is the next coming. I thought Patrice was credible as well, but Walter really sucked me in. I got goosebumps.
What do you hope is the main takeaway from this episode?
 Get tested, Have safer sex.
Cassandra, thank you for enriching our series with your script.  I hope we did it justice.
It was my pleasure, I’m working on the next installment for those two. I think we all want to know what happens next, right?
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A Special Thank you, from FSC

So with this Wednesday marking our tenth episode, I want to show some appreciation for the support we’ve received from the various writers who’ve shared their poignant stories, the thousands of viewers who’ve inspire us, especially those leaving thoughtful comments highlighting the very reason we initiated this process in the first place.  And lastly, I want to thank my dear colleagues and friends at One Economy Corporation and the Public Internet Channel, who’ve allowed us this platform to engage, inform, and inspire.

Though our roads made diverge, drift apart in the near future, our hearts and our intentions remain the same – each someone, reach someone.  For us at Front Seat Chronicles, and even with our sister series 9INE (also on pic.tv), it will be forever our goal to access our commonality, our shared humanity in order to bring us that much closer to finding common solutions and aspirations for a better, more beautiful tomorrow.

So let’s continue.  In the coming weeks we at Front Seat Chronicles will share a mother’s concerns around autism; a Veteran’s challenges with addiction, teenagers challenging each other on the consequences of cyber-bullying, a single mother having “the Talk” with her son, and a host of other subjects, some humorous, some filled with humility, yet all relevant to our collective moments.

If you find this series has value, please share our page here on PIC.tv and on Facebook.  We’re a homegrown operation with no promotion funds.  It is your word, shared with another, this is how we proceed.

On behalf of the Production,  thank you.

Allen L. Sowelle

 

 

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Inside Scoop: A Conversation with Writer/Director Devon Lee

Another Wednesday, another Front Seat Chronicle! This week we welcome writer/director Devon K. Lee, who if you are paying attention, is also the main Director of Photography for the series.

 

Devon, glad you could take time for this. Right off the bat, some may want to know how do we pull off the look of FSC? What’s been the biggest challenge?

 

Thanks for the opportunity. Well the look of FSC is pretty simple, I try to use as much natural light as I can and am often just amplifying light sources when needed. I didn’t want the polished look that you normally see on TV because these pieces are supposed to be a slice of life as is; so you’ll notice that a lot of angles are handheld to give you that voyeuristic feeling. We also desaturated the colors to play down the visuals a bit so that the dialogue and acting are at the forefront for the audiences.

The biggest challenge as always is time, it doesn’t help that we are shooting about 3 episodes in one day. So while as a DP I can set my shots up fairly quickly, but as a Director there is never enough time. We did rehearsals, but once you’re on set I think the actors get into the role a little more. So you’ll see performances you haven’t seen before and want to explore them more. But at the end of the day you still need to get what you need. So that was hard.

 

This episode deals with immigration, but not in the conventional sense. What was your intention?

 

Well I was born here in the States, so like the masses I believe that this is one of the best places to live. And you’ll often hear people say how lucky immigrants are to be here and to be able to take advantage of the resources our country provides them. But like everything in life, there are always two sides to the coin. So I tried exploring that other side; where some immigrants who come here may have no desire to live here.

 

When you were casting how did you settle on choosing your actors? And I might add, though we’ve shot several in Spanish, this was the first one where most of the dialogue was in Mandarin.

 

I just gotta say, this was tough. There just are not enough Asian actors out there. Understandably by the representation you currently see in our media there were more females who came out for the part than males. I literally had my choice of three male actors to choose from, and only one actually looked Chinese. So you know how that choice went. As for the female role, I had more actors to work with but the decision was also simple. All of the actors who came out to read for the part were born here in the U.S., so their Mandarin speaking and understanding of the role was limited. But when Yi Tian came in to read, I knew she would be perfect for the part, not only because her Mandarin was perfect, but because she was an immigrant. When I heard her read for the first time I knew she understood the emotions to the scene.

 

Now in taking on immigration, did you rely mostly on family history? I imagine the male character was first generation, no?

 

Yeah I took elements from experiences I’ve had with Aunts and Uncles who have immigrated here. But this is by no means a personal piece.

First generation, second generation; I always face a little confusion with those terms. To some first generation means those that immigrated to another country and settled, while others define it as the children born to these immigrants. Either way I had no specification of which generation Wayne’s character was from only that he was U.S. born. To me first generation, second generation that is a whole other issue that I didn’t have time to explore in this piece. Maybe another time.

 

From people you’ve talked to what has been the biggest challenge in regards to acculturation?

 

Language is always factor. But I distinctly remember my mom’s answer, which was speed and size. She was describing her experiences in Sacramento, CA when she first immigrated here and said that everyone always talked too fast so it was hard for her to follow along with her limited English. The other thing she recalled was the obesity, she was shocked when she went to an American restaurant for the first time and saw the serving sizes of the plates that people had ordered. That had a direct correlation for her with the amount of overweight people she saw.

 

Can we look for more writing credits from you?

 

Perhaps. When I run out of stuff to shoot for other writers.

blog post, Filmmaker Interviews |

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Inside Scoop: A Conversation with Writer Bradd Bowden and Director Josh Feinman

This week we get a twofer: writer of What now? Bradd Bowden, and his childhood friend, producer of Front Seat Chronicles, Josh Feinman, who also directed this week’s episode.

So let me start with you, Bradd.  One of the things I appreciate about this series is that it started out by friends reaching out to friends to share stories and resources that are familiar, and supportive.   How did you come up with the concept about two brothers trying to find affordable, long-term care for an ailing parent?

Bradd: About a year and a half ago, well after Alzheimer’s Disease took away my father’s mind, I really began to process his absence. In a Front Seat Chronicles type of moment, albeit by phone some 3,000 miles away. Josh suggested that I write about my experience.

Josh, from growing up with Bradd in New York, when you read his piece, listened to the dialogue, can you describe the various ways the story resonated with you?

Josh: My parents cared for my grandmother for many years. It was very hard, very emotional and took a lot of time. But they did it because we loved her and she deserved it. I’m not sure what advice to give because I think you are never really prepared no matter what you plan.

Since so much of this is based on a real life story, what do you guys think people miss or are ill-prepared for when it comes to taking care of our parents?

Bradd: The idea to plan ahead for taking care of elderly or infirm loved ones is crucial and very easy to conceive. What’s tough, and I think what some people are most ill-prepared for, is that it’s not an easy topic to discuss. We all handle difficult moments differently.

Josh: Good Question. Make every minute count. I know it sounds cliche’ and it’s probably not realistic. When someone is gone forever all you’ll want is more time with them. Little kids don’t realize that so parents have to. Life is short (again cliche’). If you can afford life insurance get that too.

I’ve known Josh for a number of years now.  And it’s always special to work on stories with your friends. What about, you two?  After all these years – familiar emotional and physical territory – what do you take away most for this project?

Bradd: To the end of days I’ll have a great admiration for Josh. He is so passionate about his beliefs and has an insane work ethic. What I take away most from Front Seat Chronicles is how special all these relationships are, be them that of brothers, lovers, or friends.

Josh: Bradd and I grew up with a bunch of guys from the neighborhood. Each one of us is a character in a script waiting to be written. Of all those guys and all the memories, Bradd is by far the most interesting when it comes to character. I think Bradd and I are just getting started. Looking forward to telling more stories with him.

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Inside Scoop: A Conversation with Writer/Director Elle Travis

This week we continue the inside scoop with actor, producer, writer and director – Elle Travis – in conversation with Producer Allen Sowelle.

Let me say off the top, it’s great to have you as a contributing artist for Front Seat Chronicles. For our readers, what led to your involvement?

Thank you. Nepotism… plus the idea that this piece and series as a whole will help our community.

You chose to focus on the alarming rate of unemployment among US Veterans, neatly wrapped up within a love story, was that always you’re intention?

My intention was to tell a great story first. As a filmmaker I loved the limitations from the concept of the series, two people just having a conversation in a still car. Because of this the narrative had to be saturated with subtext along with the text it’s the perfect fusion as a writer and director.

What kind of research did you do on the topic?

It’s a very personal account of a close family member and the idea came from their heart breaking experience. I watched as these two people who are very much in love get torn apart by economics, a poignant universal theme our generation is experiencing right now. Our soldiers are coming home with the promise that the education they’ve paid for with literally their blood, sweat and tears, will secure a worthy career upon their return. Instead, all of these highly qualified heroes are being forced to either take work they are over qualified for, or go back over seas as private citizens hence breaking up their private lives once again. It’s a terrible waste. Once The Public Internet Channel okayed the story, I spoke with other veterans, watched reports and read stories of our troops similar humbling accounts.

Out of the numerous actors you saw during pre-production, how did you go about selecting Lony’e and Eduardo?

We were blessed with a near perfect casting session in that all of the actors that auditioned were talented enough to be the tellers of this chronicle. However when Lonye Perrine and Eduardo Ortiz came in together there was not only an undeniable chemistry between them, each of them were so engaging I got lost in their moment. Eduardo was sympathetic is his portrayal of what could have seemed like a heartless cold character. He gave James a depth that was important since we only had a moment to establish who he was. And Lony’e, instead of taking the obvious rout of making Stacy a victim played her as strong woman of today. You could see her heart on the screen, hopeful, pained, breaking and then resolute. I’m touched by the humanity both talents brought to their roles.

Now some viewers may not make the connection, but you were also the female lead in the very first episode of Front Seat Chronicles. A first – going from actor to writer-director. Was there anything you learned from acting in the first episode that informed on your preparation for this?

The episode I acted in was the very first Front Seat Chronicles to be shot. Looking at all of the episodes I feel that Allen Sowelle did a remarkable job establishing the series in that single day. Being an actor versus director on set is a very different mindset for me. As the actor I’m only responsible for being my part in a bigger sum of what’s being told. In this case it was very easy to let the very talented Allen Sowelle take charge as my director in guiding us to where the story needed to go. He had a clear idea for the episode and I only hope I delivered what he needed. Perhaps what I gained most is clarity of the concept Allen Sowelle, Josh Feinman & Mohammed Bilal created, so when prepping for my shoot I fashioned my shots from that vision. And perhaps because I knew what the confines were it gave me creative license to push a bit more within those lines.

What is your hope that people take away from this episode?

This rough phase in our economy has created tremendous isolation in our communities. Hopefully in watching this episode and all of the Front Seat Chronicle episodes our audience feels connected and in that, a sense that they are not alone in this challenging time.

blog post, Filmmaker Interviews |

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Inside Scoop: A conversation with Writer/Director Nikol Hasler

Photo courtesy of Josh MacLeod

 

Days before the premiere of her, what has been described as, gritty episode Salvation Released, executive producer Allen Sowelle reached out to writer and director Nikol Hasler.

 

So hey Nikol, first, how did you become involved with FSC? And second, how did you arrive at this topic?

I had the pleasure of being employed by One Economy when the project was green lit. In those earlier days, when we were conceptualizing scripts, I had an idea for one about a young man being released from prison and trying to return to his life without returning to the things in his life that landed him in prison. As I was writing, I realized that my authenticity would be best used if I wrote about what I knew instead. Having grown up poor, in the Midwest, these characters are very true to the people I used to run with.

We often hear that crystal meth is a poor man’s cocaine. But there is something far more insidious about this particular drug, isn’t there?

It’s easy to make meth. It’s inexpensive. And it keeps you high for a long time.

But there is also something inherently different about the person who finds themselves addicted to meth than the person who uses cocaine. The willing acceptance of the rapid physical effects of meth, the ease of the lifestyle of isolation, and the need for the drug are not commonly seen in people with resources, money, and education.

 

What would you suggest to someone who might find themselves in Sharon’s situation?

It was important to me to show the deepness of the love that the Sharon and Terry have for each other, and I needed to show that it is two sided. Sharon isn’t wrong to love him, and the most likely outcome in relationships like theirs is that they will continue to enable each other, use drugs together, and end up back in jail. I could say that they’ll die from it, but for the sake of honesty, I need to say that it’s highly unlikely. But there are worse things than death, specifically the slow disintegration of quality of life that goes hand in hand with addictions.

People who find themselves in the situation of leaving a jail or prison to return to their community should be sure that they put a support network in place before they are released. That’s easier said than done, and all to often jail is just a natural part of life. Unless people somehow become aware not only that their current lives are crap, but also that there is a better life available, they will continue to do what they have always done. What we need to do is find a better way to lead them to that conclusion and support them once they reach out.

Some would say the so-called War on Drugs has only perpetuated drug use in the US. And that in essence it’s been a War on the Poor and the most disenfranchised. What do you think needs to change in the conventional wisdom around drug use?

There’s not enough honesty, and once people find out that they’ve been lied to, they don’t trust anything they hear. Think of the kid who is told that if he has unprotected sex, he’s going to immediately get a girl pregnant or get an STI. Then he does it, and she doesn’t get pregnant, and he doesn’t catch anything. All of a sudden, he’s pretty convinced that adults are full of crap. Well, the government and the media need to be accountable to us when it comes to providing us with accurate, comprehensive drug information.

As a mother of three incredibly bright young boys, what do you communicate to them about avoiding the perils that seem to plague so many kids today in our overly stimulated society?

I don’t talk to my kids. Ever. It’s for the best.

But, if I did, I’d be completely honest with them.

 

It’s been several months since production, how does it feel looking back at these well-crafted performances?

The experience of working with Stefan and Brandice was really inspiring. They were both able to take pieces of themselves, albeit dark or difficult pieces, and bring those forward for these roles. I’ll never forget, during casting, when Stefan came in and absolutely nailed Terry’s character. He was even wearing sweat pants and looking pretty rough. I had this moment where I thought, “Either he’s a really good actor, or this dude is an actual tweaker.” And Brandice, coming from the midwest, was able to understand the small town mentality that leads to the kinds of situations Sharon would find herself in.

 

Anything new you’re working on, that you’re excited about, that we can look forward to?

Right now most of my focus is on finding funding for my documentary, Age Out. The doc is about the process of aging out of the foster care system, and our talented team has put together a solid treatment. Now, we just need to find people who can fund us. Other than that, I’m constantly dreaming up new projects and ideas.

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Inside Scoop: A conversation with Writer/Director Alison Pezanoski-Browne about "Do You Remember"


Series creator Allen Sowelle asked Writer/Director Alison Pezanoski-Browne some questions about Do You Remember.

After watching this episode several times I’m struck by the subtext. How did settle on the topic, and was the subtext intentional or was it something that came out naturally with the performances?
Yes, the subtext was intentional, but it was definitely made richer by the performances of my actors, especially what Edward and Lisamarie were able to convey with their facial expressions alone!

What initially drew me to the topic of Dementia and Alzheimer’s was how they affect memory and connection to the past. Having the person with Dementia remember an event with more accuracy than the person without it was an interesting concept to play with.

I also wanted to explore the subtext inherent in two people with a lot of heavy history between them struggling to communicate with each other when they don’t see or remember things in the same way.  Despite what “Jamie” says, I always pictured that “Ted” was in the early stages of Dementia rather than full-blown Alzheimer’s, meaning he slips in and out of lucidity. I wanted the viewer to question when he was there with Jamie and when he wasn’t. This uncertainty, as well as Jamie’s misinformation about her father’s disease, are meant to convey how confusing it must be for both of them to fully understand what the other is going through.


I’ve often heard Alzheimer’s described as a disease that can emotionally disappear people, what were the challenges you had in writing the script?
Attempting to show that disappearing was difficult, because I felt like it had to come through the performance rather than the words. I relied a lot on Edward’s ability to convey emotional shifts without saying anything. And while I wanted it to be confusing to the viewer, my actors and I had to be clear on which Ted we were dealing with at any given moment – young Ted, remembering Ted, or nearly disappeared Ted.

For Jamie I wanted it to be a heightened emotional place – it’s kind of her in her worst moment where she says all of the self-centered things some caregivers probably think but wouldn’t ever say.  But being a caregiver must be so difficult. You’re dealing with a whole host of emotions, and I wanted to show that and give importance to it – though it’s never okay to yell at someone with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.

It was difficult to explore this without making either of them seem like a villain. I wanted them to be flawed not villainous, which is a hard line to walk. I hope I pulled it off.


In doing your research for the discussion guide was there anything new that you discover about Alzheimer’s, new treatments, diagnosis, and/or how individuals cope with it?
I was shocked and saddened to learn that 70% of caregivers suffer with symptoms of depression. Luckily there seem to be a lot of resources out there to help [LINKTO: Discussion Guide]

I always thought that whether you get Alzheimer’s and dementia was out of your control. There are some factors, like genes, that we can’t change. But there are easy actions you can take towards brain health, like:

  1. Regular exercise
  2. Healthy diet
  3. Mental stimulation
  4. Quality sleep
  5. Stress management
  6. An active social life

It made me realize that I need to take more naps and do more crossword puzzles!

I learned that older adults with strong muscles are at lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Also, there was a pilot clinical trial that showed the nicotine patch might improve cognition in older adults with memory loss.


Was there something in particular about a father-daughter relationships as opposed to a mother-son or mother-daughter that influenced the story?
There wasn’t an intentional reason to make it about a father and a daughter, except that a woman I met years ago came to mind when I was writing the script. I remember her telling me that she, her mother, and her brother hated her father so much that all three of them changed their last name so they’d have no connection to him. I’m lucky to have a great relationship with my family, and my father in particular, so this extreme action struck me. I had that woman in mind when I was writing. What if one day she was forced to determine her father’s care? I wanted to write a script about imperfect people with an imperfect relationship who are forced to be in each other’s lives because of illness.

In retrospect, there is something to the fact that traditionally dads are supposed to be our ultimate protectors. What is it like when the tables are turned?


For you, what’s the most important aspect of this episode?  The most important theme or even beat?
Take care of yourself, or you won’t be able to take care of anyone else! Jamie isn’t able to take care of her father because she hasn’t taken care of herself or dealt with her baggage. I see this as the turning point for her where she realizes that blaming her dad and her past aren’t doing her any good. Lisamarie got this immediately, and I think she did an amazing job of showing Jamie’s change. The ultimate point is that self-care as opposed to self-centeredness can actually make you more present for other people.


Are there more FSC episodes to come from you?
I hope so! I’ve written a script that takes on a less intense issue and deals with it in a more humorous way. I’m looking forward to that.

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Inside Scoop: A conversation with writer Scott Kassel on "Every Other Weekend"

We reached out to writer Scott Kassel to get the inside scoop on Every Other Weekend.

How did you come to get involved with Front Seat Chronicles? What piqued your interest about the series?

 

When the producers of the series first mentioned the project to me I was immediately intrigued by the simplicity and the power of the concept—two people in a location everyone can relate to, sharing a powerful and transformative moment. Virtually everyone has had their own “front seat chronicle” at some point, and hopefully these pieces will resonate with the viewers.

With practically 50% of all marriages failing in the US, I imagine child custody is a common topic. What drew you to the subject matter?

 

My parents divorced when I was very young, so I have first-hand experience with the topic. Now, as an adult, many of my friends are going through the same thing as parents. More than the failure of a marriage, what interested me most was the fallout of divorce and how it affects parents and children who are going through such a turbulent life experience. I’ve realized as I’ve gotten older that the situation can be just as difficult and painful for parents as it is for children.

In your opinion, what’s the most common mistake separating parents make? (another way of phrasing it – What could parents do differently?)

 

Divorce is difficult enough without a child feeling like they’re caught in the middle of a war between their two heroes. I think one of the most common mistakes parents make is allowing conflict with their estranged spouse to creep into their child’s consciousness. While some conflict may be impossible to hide, I think it’s important that parents present a united front and agree to co-parent in the most effective way possible. By letting their children know that the divorce in no way diminishes their love for them, that they still care for one another, and that none of their marital issues are their children’s fault, parents can help smooth this difficult transition.

What would you suggest for non-custodial father’s to pay attention to in regards to the emotional needs of their child(ren)?

 

Try to be as involved as your child’s life as possible. Frequent phone calls, coming to ballgames, concerts, important events and the like. Looking back, I think my dad did a great job of that when I was growing up and I’d like to give him a big shout out for that! Love you, dad!

Does your familiarity with the subject matter prepare you to be a better father you think? When you become one of course.

 

I think my personal experiences will definitely shape my approach to parenting and relationships in general. I hope to be the kind of father that is involved in every aspect of my children’s lives.

What was it like watching your episode the first time? Any thoughts on the overall process?

 

Seeing your work brought to life is always a great feeling. The actors and director did a great job expressing my ideas in an honest, open way, and they actually created a couple of great moments that I hadn’t even envisioned when I originally wrote the script. Overall, this was a great process and I’m happy to have been a part of it.

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Resources for people helping children deal with divorce

The conversation you have when you tell your child you are divorcing is not to be taken lightly.

PIC.tv Producer Alejandra Okie recently talked to Kelly Brown, a school-based Licensed Professional Counselor, to get advice on how parents can tell their children the news.

Alejandra Okie: How important is it to plan and think through how to have this conversation with your child?

Kelly Brown: You have to remember that telling your child you are getting separated or divorced is only one in a series of events and changes that will have a long-lasting impact on your child’s life. For example, the child may start living in two households, then one or both of their parents may start dating and may remarry, and so on. You want to cooperate as much as possible with your ex-spouse from the very beginning so that your child will have the best chances of adjusting and being happy in the long term. Think of your child’s needs first and try to put your anger toward your spouse aside.

AO: What should the parents do before having this conversation with their children?

KB: The parents should talk about what they plan on saying and not saying to their child when they first break the news. They should make plans for both of them to be present when having this conversation with their child, if possible. Plan on explaining, in general terms, why this is happening. You should also tell your child what will be changing, for example, if a parent is moving out and if the child will be going back and forth from one house to the other. You may need to repeat some of this information later since your child may not take it all in. Give your child a chance to ask questions.

AO: Are there any key messages that parents should provide to their child when breaking the news about the divorce?

KB: Children, especially young children, need to feel safe and that their basic needs will be met. Statements such as, “We will always be your mom and dad” and “We will always love you” are very important to a child in this situation and should be repeated over several days and weeks. They should also be told that it’s not their fault that their parents are divorcing.

AO: Are there certain things that parents should not do or say?

KB: The most important thing is that both parents stay calm and not start pointing fingers or placing blame. You want to show your child that both of you will be working together as parents. This will help reassure your child so he or she feels less anxious.

AO: Are there any books that you recommend for parents?

KB: Yes, there is a great book that I recommend for all of my clients in this situation. It is “Cooperative Parenting and Divorce: A Parent Guide to Effective Co-Parenting.” It includes helpful tips and exercises to put your child first while going through this difficult situation. You can look for it at your public library.

AO: Can you recommend any good books for young children?

KB: My favorite book that I use with elementary age children is Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families. It can help kids talk about their own thoughts and feelings related to divorce.

AO: Thank you so much!

KB: You’re very welcome.

Kelly Brown, M.A., is a school-based licensed professional counselor in North Carolina. She provides individual therapy to students in grades K through 12 and their parents.

Other resources that may be helpful include:

Children deal with a lot of conflicting emotions when their parents are divorcing, and it’s important that the adults in their life help them through the difficult experience.

Heart & Mind: Children & Divorce is a website from Dishon & Block, Divorce and Family Law Experts with a list of excellent activities you can do to help children deal with divorce.

You can try:

  • Drawing pictures – Many children can have difficulty expressing emotions in words. Drawing can make it easier for children to express their emotions in a positive way and helps parents understand how they truly feel. From the drawings you can ask the child specific questions. Why has he or she drawn what they’ve drawn and why? Ask them…
    • What does divorce look like?
    • What does divorce make you feel?
    • To draw pictures of feelings like anger, sadness, or loneliness.
    • To draw a picture of your family, including anyone you feel is part of your family.
    • To draw a picture of the homes you live in.
    • If a genie could grant you one wish related to your family, what would you wish for? Draw a picture of your wish.
  • Conversation starters – After a divorce, it’s important to keep the lines of communication open. Some questions to ask:
    • How has your life changed since the divorce?
    • Why do you think people get married?
    • Why do you think people get divorced?
    • What is a happy family like?
    • Who do you talk with about the divorce?
    • Has anything good come from the divorce?
    • What do you worry about?
    • What do you think your life will be like in five years?
    • What good qualities does your dad have? Your mom?
    • If you could change anything about your life, what would you make different?
  • Communicating from a distance – When one of the parents doesn’t live in the same city as their child, it’s important for that parent to maintain strong relationships even from a distance. Here are some suggestions:
    • Email each other often.
    • Start a postcard club. Give some stamped cards to your child, and take turns sending a card each week.
    • Set a specific time for weekly or monthly phone dates. It’ll give you something to look forward to!
    • Create a shared journal that you can write your thoughts and feelings in. Exchange the notebook when you see each other.
    • Create a family web site, and post information and pictures to each other.
    • Skype or use FaceTime (if you have an iPhone or Mac) to talk while seeing each other using video. Or make audio and videotape recordings.

And even more helpful resources:

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Recursos para personas que están ayudando a niños enfrentando el divorcio

Hablar con los hijos sobre el divorcio y darles la noticia de que sus papás se van a divorciar no es nada fácil.

La productora de PIC.tv, Alejandra Okie recientemente habló con Kelly Brown, una Consejera Profesional Certificada que trabaja en las escuelas para pedirle consejos sobre cómo los padres pueden darles las noticias sobre el divorcio a sus hijos.

Alejandra Okie: ¿Qué tan importante es que uno haga un plan sobre cómo tener esta conversación con su hijo?

Kelly Brown: Es importante que tome en cuenta que decirle a su hijo que se van a separar o divorciar es sólo una parte de la serie de eventos y cambios que tendrán un impacto a largo plazo en la vida de su hijo. Por ejemplo, tal vez su hijo va a vivir en dos casas diferentes, y quizás en el futuro su madre o padre tengan una nueva pareja o se casen de nuevo. Es importante que usted coopere con su excónyuge tanto como sea posible desde el principio para que su hijo pueda adaptarse y ser feliz a largo plazo. Antes que nada, piense en las necesidades de su hijo y trate de dejar a un lado sus sentimientos negativos hacia su cónyuge.

AO: ¿Qué deben hacer los padres antes de tener esta conversación con sus hijos?

KB: Los padres deben hablar sobre lo que van a decirle y no decirle a sus hijos cuando les den las noticias. Si es posible, el padre y la madre deben estar presentes cuando hablen con sus hijos por primera vez. Explíquenles, en términos generales, por qué se están divorciando. También explíquenles qué va a cambiar, por ejemplo, si uno de los padres se va a mudar y si sus hijos van a vivir en las dos casas. Tal vez deba repetir algunas cosas después porque es posible que inicialmente sus hijos no sean receptivos. Deje que sus hijos le hagan preguntas.

AO: ¿Hay algunos mensajes clave que los padres deben comunicarles a sus hijos cuando les den las noticias sobre el divorcio?

KB: Los hijos, especialmente los más pequeños, necesitan sentirse seguros y saber que se van a seguir satisfaciendo sus necesidades básicas. Es importante decirles cosas como, “Siempre vamos a ser tu mamá y papá” y “Siempre vamos a quererte”, y repetirlas durante varios días y semanas. Debe decirles que no es su culpa que se están divorciando.

AO: ¿Hay ciertas cosas que los padres deben o no deben decir?

KB: Lo más importante es que los dos padres estén tranquilos y no empiecen a acusar o echarle la culpa a la otra persona. Es importante que le enseñe a sus hijos que ustedes dos van a trabajar juntos como padres de familia. Esto ayudará a tranquilizar a sus hijos para que no se sientan tan ansiosos.

AO: ¿Hay algunos libros que les recomendaría a padres de familia?  

KB: Sí, hay un libro muy bueno que les recomiendo a todos mis clientes en esta situación. Este es el título en inglés: “Cooperative Parenting and Divorce: A Parent Guide to Effective Co-Parenting.” Incluye consejos útiles y ejercicios para asegurarse de que primero piense en sus hijos si se encuentra en esta difícil situación. Lo puede buscar en su biblioteca pública.

AO: ¿Tiene recomendaciones de libros para niños?

KB: Mi libro favorito que uso con niños de escuela primaria es “Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families.” Puede ayudarle a los niños a hablar sobre sus propios pensamientos y sentimientos en relación con el divorcio.

AO: ¡Muchas gracias!

KB: Con mucho gusto.

Kelly Brown, M.A., es una Consejera Profesional Certificada que trabaja en las escuelas en Carolina del Norte. Provee terapia individual a estudiantes de kindergarten al duodécimo grado y sus padres.

Más recursos sobre el divorcio:

Los niños pueden tener emociones contradictorias cuando se están divorciando sus padres y es importante que los adultos en sus vidas les ayuden con esta experiencia difícil.

El sitio web de Heart and Mind: Children and Divorce de Dishon y Block, expertos en divorcio y ley familiar contiene una lista muy útil de actividades para ayudar a niños con padres que se están divorciando.

Usted puede probar lo siguiente:

  • Dibujar – A muchos niños les cuesta trabajo expresar sus emociones con palabras. A través de sus dibujos, los niños pueden expresarse en una forma positiva y ayudar a que sus padres entiendan lo que realmente están sintiendo. Vea los dibujos y hágale  preguntas al niño. ¿Qué dibujo y por qué? Pídale que dibuje lo siguiente:
    • Cómo se ve el divorcio
    • Cómo te hace sentir el divorcio
    • Emociones como enojo, tristeza o soledad
    • Tu familia, incluyendo a cualquier persona que consideres parte de tu familia
    • Los hogares donde vives
    • Si un genio te concediera un deseo relacionado con tu familia, ¿cuál sería tu deseo? Haz un dibujo de tu deseo.
  • Temas para romper el hielo — Después del divorcio, es importante mantener la comunicación abierta. Algunas preguntas que puede hacerle a los niños, incluyen:
    • ¿Cómo ha cambiado tu vida desde que tus padres se divorciaron?
    • ¿Por qué piensas que las parejas se casan?
    • ¿Por qué piensas que las parejas se divorcian?
    • Describe a una familia contenta
    • ¿Con quién hablas sobre el divorcio?
    • ¿Ha surgido algo positivo como resultado del divorcio?
    • ¿Sobre qué te preocupas?
    • ¿Cómo piensas que va a ser tu vida dentro de cinco años?
    • ¿Qué cualidades positivas tiene tu papá? ¿Y tu mamá?
    • Si pudieras cambiar cualquier cosa sobre tu vida, ¿qué cambiarías?
  • Comunicación desde lejos – Cuando uno de los padres no vive en la misma ciudad que sus hijos, es importante que él o ella mantenga una buena relación, aunque sea a distancia.
    • Envíe mensajes de correo electrónico seguido.
    • Empiece una nueva tradición de enviar tarjetas postales. Déle tarjetas con timbres postales a su hijo y túrnense enviándolas por correo cada semana.
    • Fijen una hora para hablar por teléfono cada semana o cada mes. Así los dos pueden disfrutar de ese tiempo especial.
    • Escriban sus pensamientos y sentimientos en un diario compartido. Intercambien el diario cuando se vean.
    • Hagan un sitio web para la familia con información y fotos de usted y de su hijo.
    • Usen Skype o FaceTime (si tienen un iPhone Mac) para hablar y verse usando vídeo. O tomen vídeo o graben audio. Escucharse y verse les ayudará a mantenerse conectados.

Encuentre recursos adicionales sobre el divorcio:

Sitios web útiles con recursos sobre el divorcio

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Inside Scoop: Director and Writer Allen Sowelle on "I'll Talk About You"

What inspired you to write this episode of FSC?

 

The inspiration came from a conversation I never really got to have with my father. The first time I heard the word “Metastasized” was such a shock. I had no idea what was going on, let alone that my dad was even sick. Then everything happened so fast we never really got to a calm, spiritual place of acceptance until he was gone. Also my son, Osaze, was only two when my father passed away. I had always hoped they would have these conversations where wisdom is passed down to the next generation. But again, he was gone too soon. So I wrote this in his memory, and in the memories of others. He is a beautiful man.

 

Some people might not know this, but the boy in your film is your son! How did he get to be such a good actor, and what is it like to direct a family member?

 

It was somewhat surreal working with Osaze. I mean he knew the sentiment I was trying to reach. Not being a professional actor, I just reminded him to go with what’s given by the other actor. It’s not always about getting the line right as it is to having a conversation that was believable and sincere. But yeah, watching him give life to a moment I wish he had with his grandfather was a little surreal.

 

Tell me a little bit about the actress who plays the Grandma, and the actors in FSC as a whole. What do you look for when casting a show?

 

Oh Cassandra was great. She really carried the weight of that moment. We had little rehearsal time so we talked about their bond, where these two just came from before “fade in,” and how she would feel if time were short – stuff like that.

As for casting, we knew the majority of our shots were gonna be medium to extreme close-ups, so the most important thing to consider were faces – faces that could communicate the subtext, the subtleties of silence.

 

What do you hope people get out of this episode?

 

I hope people get not only a glimpse of the familiar, but also come away with an understanding that when we have an opportunity to encourage or inspire a loved one, don’t wait for tragedy or illness to say what needs to be said. If you feel it now, why not say it now. It took a lot of courage for both characters to reach the other as they did.

Last thing I would say is we really appreciate folks supporting this type of content. We have so many more topics and moments we look forward to sharing with upcoming episodes. Please keep watching, commenting, “liking” and submitting ideas for future stories.

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Resources for people contemplating or going through divorce

Click for resources en Español

Getting divorced can be expensive. Court fees can cost up to $500 and if you hire a lawyer, you can expect to pay $100 an hour at the very least. Follow these steps to find legal information about divorce as well as low-cost legal resources to help you with the process.

  • Read all you can. Divorce can be a complicated process, especially if you own property with your spouse or if you have children and you have to address custody and child support.
    • Find valuable information online. Read articles written by lawyers on sites such as Avvo on divorce and separation, child custody, and child support.  Be careful with websites that sell products and services.
    • Also, visit your local library and ask the librarian for help finding books and resources on divorce.
  • Learn about the laws in your state. The divorce process and the way custody and child support work vary by state. Look up your state government’s website on USA.gov. Then do a search for “divorce,” “custody” or “child support” on your state’s fgovernment website to find specific information.
  • Find a lawyer that specializes in family law/divorce. Start by asking for recommendations from friends and family. You can also search for a family law attorney on the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers website or contact your state or local Bar Association. Meet with at least two attorneys to explain your situation and make sure you feel comfortable working with that person. You can ask for a free consultation. After the consultation, you can expect to pay at least $100 an hour and the attorney will work on your case for many hours. Read these five tips before meeting with a lawyer to keep the costs down. If you can’t afford to pay an attorney per hour, you could subscribe to Pre-paid Legal Services. For $16 a month you can get unlimited hours of phone consultation and document reviews provided by a family law attorney. If you want to hire the attorney to handle your case, this service will give you 25 percent off their standard hourly rate.
  • Prepare your own divorce documents online and have them reviewed by a family law attorney.
    • Step 1: If you and your spouse agree on the basic terms of the divorce, you may be able to use an online service to prepare your divorce documents as an uncontested divorce. You fill out an online questionnaire which will be used to prepare your documents. LegalZoom offers this service for $299. You’ll have 30 days to review and make changes to the documents.
    • Step 2 (IMPORTANT): Pay a family law attorney or use Pre-paid Legal Services to review the legal documents prepared online to make sure you are not agreeing to something that you may regret in the future.
  • Work with a family mediator specializing in divorce. If you and your spouse are close to agreeing on the terms of the divorce, you could hire a mediator. The mediator meets with the husband and wife to help them resolve any issues that they can’t agree on. In states where mediation is not required, mediation can be a less expensive alternative to going to court. The mediator is neutral and doesn’t give legal advice. If your case is particularly difficult, you could hire a lawyer to come with you to the mediation sessions.

Other resources that may be helpful include:

Emotional Coping with Divorce:

Getting help for the kids:

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Inside Scoop: Interview with Writer Alejandra Okie

Alejandra Okie | Front Seat ChroniclesDirector Allen Sowelle talked with writer Alejandra Okie about FSC, episode 2: “The Story of my Life.”

 

Now I may know the answer to this, but our viewers won’t, how did you get involved with the series Front Seat Chronicles?

I’m a big fan of the concept behind the series. So many people have had one of those moments talking to a family member or a friend about a life-changing event in their lives so I felt this was a great opportunity to tell a story.

 

What drew you to that particular subject matter?

The story is not autobiographical but I have known women who become completely paralyzed when contemplating divorce and think that they have to accept and live with their current circumstances.

It is sad to see couples get divorced and families broken apart. But it is also quite upsetting to think that some women will live their entire lives being completely unhappy because they think they can’t do anything to change their situation.

 

We hear about how earlier generations stuck it out when it came to marriage. Yet today over half dissolve for one reason or another. It seems like it’s a delicate dance between riding it out or living life earnestly, occupying your own happiness. Do you think economic realities have more of an effect on marriages today than 50 years ago, or is it something else?

It’s true that women today have more financial freedom and can make more choices. But being able to get a job doesn’t necessarily mean that they’ll feel empowered to get divorced. In addition to money, other issues weigh heavily on the decision to get divorced: breaking the family unit apart, losing a partner, isolation, shame and possibly raising children alone, or sharing or losing custody if there are children in the family.

 

As the credits roll on “Story of my Life,” for you personally, what do you hope viewers take from it?

I hope that women who are in a similar situation realize that they have options and that they don’t have to be unhappy for the rest of their lives. After all, when one is unhappy, it’s more likely that family and others around you will be unhappy. I hope women in this situation realize that they can reinvent their lives and discover a happier version of themselves after divorce.

 

As the Latino voice becomes more prominent, more full in the American chorus, what other stories are important to you? And that’s not to marginalize you as a Latina writer – we all know that happens way too often for folks of color already.

I think stories like divorce are somewhat universal—women of any race or ethnicity, or socioeconomic background for that matter, may face this situation. But Latinas and other immigrant women do have unique stories that need to be heard. So many immigrant families find themselves separated because of immigration laws—children growing up far away from parents. And there are immigrant women who suffer abuse but are afraid to get help because they fear getting deported. In farm working communities some families have to take their young children to work with them in the fields where they are exposed to dangerous conditions so they can make ends meet. And an entire generation of immigrant children is running into a brick wall after graduating high school because they cannot attend college in the U.S. even though they grew up in this country. We’re talking about real people and it would make such a big difference if someone was there to listen.

 

Well let me end with this – it was an honor to collaborate with you Alejandra on this episode. Our two exquisite actors, Veronica Rocha and Jessica Tomé were so solid, made each take – each emotional beat – effortlessly palpable. English and in Spanish. Hopefully they made you proud. We got to do this again, only with you on set, directing.

I agree, the actors really made the story come alive. It’s been a pleasure working with you, Allen. I look forward to watching the next episode.

 

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Recursos para personas que están contemplando el divorcio o se están divorciando

Los trámites para el divorcio pueden ser muy caros. Los cargos del juzgado pueden costar hasta $500 y si contrata a un abogado, por lo menos pagará $100 por hora. Siga estos consejos para encontrar información legal sobre el divorcio así como recursos de bajo costo para ayudarlo con el proceso.

  • Lea e infórmese sobre el tema. El divorcio puede ser un proceso complicado, especialmente si usted y su cónyuge son dueños de una propiedad o si tienen hijos y deben tomar decisiones sobre la custodia y la manutención infantil.
    • Encuentre información por Internet. Lea artículos escritos por abogados en sitios web tales como Avvo sobre divorcio y separación, custodia y manutención infantil. Tenga cuidado con sitios web que venden productos o servicios.
    • También visite la biblioteca y pídale ayuda a la bibliotecaria para encontrar libros y recursos sobre el divorcio.
  • Infórmese sobre las leyes en su estado. Los trámites para el divorcio y la manera en la cual funciona la manutención infantil varían en cada estado. Encuentre el sitio web del gobierno de su estado en USA.gov. Después haga una búsqueda de las palabras “divorce” (divorcio), “custody” (custodia) o “child support” (manutención infantil) en el sitio del gobierno de su estado para encontrar información específica para su estado.
  • Encuentre un abogado que se especializa en ley familiar/divorcio. Primero pida recomendaciones de amigos y familiares. También puede hacer una búsqueda para encontrar un abogado de derechos de familia en el sitio de la Academia Estadounidense de Abogados Matrimoniales (American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers) o comuníquese con el Colegio de Abogados de su estado. Reúnase con por lo menos dos abogados y explíqueles su situación y asegúrese de que se siente cómoda trabajando con esa persona. Usted puede pedir una consulta gratuita. Después de la consulta, le cobrarán por lo menos $100 por hora, y el abogado trabajará en su caso por muchas horas. Lea estos cinco consejos antes de reunirse con un abogado para ahorrar dinero. Si no puede pagar un abogado por hora, usted puede inscribirse al Servicio Legal Prepagado (Pre-paid Legal Services). Por $16 al mes usted puede recibir consultas por teléfono por un número ilimitado de horas, así como revisión de sus documentos legales por un abogado de derecho familiar. Si quiere contratar a un abogado, este servicio le dará un 25 por ciento de descuento del costo regular.
  • Prepare sus propios documentos legales por Internet y consiga que un abogado de derecho de familia los revise.
    • Paso 1: si usted y su cónyuge están de acuerdo sobre los términos básicos del divorcio, tal vez pueda usar un servicio por Internet para preparar sus documentos legales como un divorcio de mutuo acuerdo (uncontested divorce). Usted llena un cuestionario por Internet y lo envía para que le preparen los documentos. LegalZoom ofrece este servicio por $299. Usted tendrá 30 días para revisar y hacer cambios a los documentos.
    • Paso 2 (IMPORTANTE): contrate a un abogado de derecho de familia o use el Servicio Legal Prepagado para que le revisen los documentos legales para asegurarse de que no se vaya arrepentir de algo en el futuro.
  • Colabore con un mediador que se especialice en divorcio y familias. Si usted y su cónyuge casi llegan a un acuerdo sobre el acuerdo, usted podría contratar a un mediador. El mediador se reúne con el esposo y la esposa para ayudarles a resolver cualquier asunto que no puedan resolver. En estados donde la medicación no es un requisito, puede ser una alternativa menos cara que un juicio. El mediador es neutro y no da asesoramiento legal. Si su caso es difícil, usted podría pagarle a un abogado para que lo acompañe a las sesiones de mediación.

Más recursos sobre el divorcio:

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Inside Scoop: Front Seat Chronicles Director and Producer

Interview with Front Seat Chronicle Director and Producer

Interview with Front Seat Chronicle Director and Producer

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down Allen Sowelle and Joshua Feinman, director/writer and producer/actor, respectively, of our innovative web series, Front Seat Chronicles:

So Allen, Josh–

What inspired you to create Front Seat Chronicles?

Allen: I got the inspiration for the series from a short story written by PIC Executive Producer Mohammed Bilal. The story was on a pivotal moment in a young man’s life, and it reminded me of the numerous discussions in my own life, whether dealing with a family tragedy or a personal relationship – we’ve all had them. And the car seemed perfect – somewhat captive, but more importantly as a metaphor for transition, moving us from one emotional chapter to another in our lives.

They other thing (that was) important to me was to expand the narratives. We reached out to our friends, asking them to contribute either as writers and/or directors. The result was a wonderful cross-section of simplicity and sincerity given life by the incredible actors who joined our cast.

Josh: Nobody likes to hear about the struggles of an actor. Even other actors get sick of it. The truth is acting is like any other job. The entertainment industry is like any other industry. In fact, acting is like a lot of other jobs in the sense that you are the owner, manager, salesman and the product all wrapped up in one. That being said…..the reason I got involved in Front Seat Chronicles is because I am unemployed right now. It’s ironic that my episode is about unemployment. When Allen proposed the series to me over breakfast with both of our growing families I was instantly drawn to the idea and here’s why:

1. I’ve got lots of free time right now. (yes even with a new baby) I’m not working.
2. a chance to act, direct and write which in turn can help me get work in the future.
3. I am interested in producing and I knew that this series could be done simply and effectively with little or no budget, calling on favors and utilizing the talent we have worked with over the years.
4. I want to help people and make a difference and this series can do that.

Why tell this story now?

Josh: Why tell this story now is a good question. I suppose you tell it now because its no longer the story of strangers. Now its the story of your neighbor, your best friend, your father. We all know someone struggling to make ends meet. By hearing their stories we can help them and ourselves and people all over.

Allen: This particular episode unfortunately still reflects the reality with the lives of too many Americans. While not as dire as the deepest years of the recession, too many folks have given up or are severely underemployed. Many of us have hung on a prayer of follow-up interviews, call-backs, or some other promise, only to come up empty or passed over for another applicant. I wrote this to remind people they’re not alone.

How can viewers use the film to improve their lives?

Allen: It was always our intention to impact the quality of people’s lives by providing quality information, resources they can access and utilize immediately. Thus, with each episode of Front Seat Chronicles the viewers will have relevant content, links, blogs, localized info the Beelocal app, again content that inspires, informs and more importantly is actionable.

Josh: My first idea was that viewers would be able to write in their own stories. Maybe even some of them get produced in the series. The series can help your life by opening up your situation to the experiences, successes and failures of other people going through the same or similar events. The series should start discussions and provide relief to those who need to know they are not alone.