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front seat chronicles

  • Home
  • Filmmaker Interviews
    • INside Scoop: a conversation with writer/actor Monique Carmona
    • An Interview with uber-producer Cassandra Cooper
    • The Inside Scoop: Writer-Director Carl Seaton
    • An FSC interview with “Friend Me” actor Kaci Hinds
    • A conversation with “Back to the Front” writer Jason Lambert
    • Filmmakers and Yankee die-hards – Bradd Bowden and Josh Feinman
    • Salvation Release writer/director – Nikol Hasler
    • An FSC Interview with writer/director Teddy Gyi
  • About the Series
  • The Creative Team
  • Episodios en Español
    • La historia de mi vida
    • Cada 15 Días
    • ¿Qué vas a decir los niños?
    • Me Aceptáron
  • Set Life
    • Set Gallery
  • FSC Gallery
  • Contact us
  • All Episodes
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Tag Archives: front seat chronicles

blog post, Episodes |

February 25, 2014

| Sowelle

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.”

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February 8, 2014

| Sowelle

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.

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February 6, 2014

| Sowelle

1st Grade Picture

Written by Cam Montgomery Jr., and featuring Ginger Marin and Brandon Espy, this episode deal’s with a mother’s fear of losing the child she raised.

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June 6, 2013

| Sowelle

“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.

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Filmmaker Interviews |

October 29, 2012

| Sowelle

An FSC Interview with writer/director Teddy Gyi

Teddy Gyi, wassup man? How you living?


I’m good! Always savoring life. Thanks for having me on the program!

We’ve known each other a while, but it’s the first time we’ve ever collaborated on anything. For those who don’t know, share how you got involved with FSC, and how you came about the topic.


When I first saw “FSC,” I instantly fell in love with it. All of us have experienced those life-defining moments while conversing in a car, so it’s easily relatable for the audience. It also reminded me of all the great car moments in cinema history, like Brando in “On The Waterfront.” I’m a huge fan of those types of scenes. No tricks to fall back on – just pure, raw dialogue between human beings. It’s a true writer’s arena. So when “FSC” approached me to write an episode, I jumped at the opportunity.
 I originally came up with about a dozen plot ideas and submitted them to the producers. Of all the ones I came up with, they asked me to go ahead with “Not a Mistake.” I was a bit nervous about writing this scene because I knew I’d have to really dig deep into my imagination to come up with character cores and a dialogue that was both interesting and believable. But it all worked out, and you guys did an amazing job filming it.

Growing up with a lot of sisters, do you think parents have an easier time having “ the sex talk” with girls than they do boys? Or is it just a difficult conversation for a lot of people period?


It becomes a difficult conversation when no forum of truly open communication exists between parent & child. Unfortunately, culture and religion can sometimes create serious roadblocks to honest communication. “Not a Mistake” is the conversation I wish my mother or father would have had with me when I was a teen. But my parents’ cultural and religious background made any sort of open, candid conversation about sex virtually impossible. It was basically boiled down to “don’t have sex until you’re married, because it’s bad.” And that was the end of it. In my opinion, this is the most ineffective stance in existence. I never really understood the approach of criminalizing sex. Good people have sex every day. It’s a normal function of nature.

Instead of pointing fingers and preaching orders, we should really focus on teaching young people to respect both themselves and their partners. In my opinion, this is what matters most. In “Not a Mistake,” Claire has had her fair share of bad experiences and bad relationships. Marvin’s father is an absentee. He should take these kinds of things into consideration in handling his relationship with Shelly. When Marvin finally understands that his mother was also once that girl, going to her first dance, that’s where a mutual understanding is reached.

I know you’re not an expert on the subject, but you do have experiences. when you were growing up where did guys get information around dating?


In school, they taught us the pure biological aspects of “reproduction.” I don’t remember being taught anything beyond that, such as how sex applies to dating and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships. Nobody wanted to honestly address the fact that teens have sex. Teens have had sex since the beginning of time. But the topic was swept under the rug. 
So growing up, we got most of our information from our own experiences and from our peers. We were all left to our own devices. We had to learn on our own, like so many generations before us, clumsily experimenting and fumbling our way through the process until we felt we had some sort of handle on dating and sex. 
Nowadays, it’s a lot different. There is so more information available to young people. They’re more willing to talk. And they’re much smarter and savvier then we were at their age. If they need information, they can just Google it. But I don’t think that’s enough. As adults, we have wisdom to offer as a result of our experiences and the mistakes we made when we were younger. All we need to do is communicate.

You’ve worn many hats throughout your adulthood, how did you arrive at filmmaking?


My “arrival” at filmmaking was actually a return to my beginning. As a child, I wrote a lot of novels and books. My older siblings all moved out of the house when I was still very young, so I basically grew up as an only child. As an only child, your imagination becomes your best friend by default. You end up inventing and playing with these “imaginary friends.” Luckily for me, I got into the early habit of putting those adventures down on paper.
At age 12, my father bought me my first VHS camcorder. I immediately applied my imagination to the camera. I’d get all my friends together in my backyard, and we’d make all kinds of movies: martial arts, action, Shakespeare…you name it. This continued on throughout my middle school and high school years. I had so much fun during that time. I got more equipment and studied drama and acting. Those were golden years for me.
But my life took a terrible turn when I hit my 20s. I became addicted to drugs, and seriously lost myself for many years. I sold all of my gear for dope…it was a very dark period in my life. Thankfully, I was able to eventually recover from that lifestyle. Afterwards, I pursued a career in music for several years. Then, one day, I started writing fiction again. It was the best feeling I had felt in a long time. I managed to re-tap into a part of my brain that I thought was lost forever. I wrote my first feature-length screenplay, “Refuge,” and decided to abandon all other pursuits to turn my filmmaking vision into a reality.
I finally came to the realization that writing and directing was where I needed to be. It’s a very fulfilling experience, and I’m quite fortunate to be able to do what I do. I sit in front of my computer, let my imagination run wild, and let the words flow. I’m still that same little kid, playing with my imaginary friends and putting our adventures down on paper. I think all writers are, to some degree.

Well let me congratulate you Teddy on doing the thing – getting “Refuge,” your insightful first feature shot by any means necessary. It’s inspiring to a lot of young artist. What else we can look for in the coming year?


Thank you so much! It’s been a harrowing journey, but I’ve been blessed with the most talented and dedicated team. We’re very excited about this picture. “Refuge” will continue to be my main focus through 2014. Most people don’t realize when you make a feature film, you’re usually signing 2-3 years of your life away.
But I always manage to find time to work on new and interesting projects. In addition to “Refuge,” you’ll see some music videos, narrative shorts, and high-concept pieces from me. I also have half a dozen new scripts in development, and I’d definitely look forward to writing/directing for “FSC,” if you guys would have me again!

dig it. Thanks brother.


Thank you. Peace and blessings!

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June 5, 2012

| Sowelle

When her daughter gets into college, an immigrant mother’s worst fears come true.

 

In this episode of FSC, directed by Devon K. Lee, written by Allen L. Sowelle, and featuring Karla Zamudio and Gabriela Banus – an immigrant mother is conflicted when her daughter gets accepted to college.

 

At some point our country – a nation of immigrants – will have to have a serious conversation about Immigration.  On one side is a belief that left unchecked we open ourselves to challenges on security, and risk losing our National Identity.  They say that illegal immigration drains our economy as it lowers academic performance and American worker productivity.   The other side posits that our diversity makes us stronger as a nation, and that the US has a long and proud history of opening our arms to anyone seeking freedom and a better way of life.  For them, the focus should be on improving our immigration laws, not demonizing those who willfully do the work, most of us are unwilling to do.

One side points to the billions of dollars immigrants send back to their home countries instead of circulating back into our already weaken economy.  Yet the other side highlights that 40% of the Fortune 500 companies were either created by an immigrant or the child of an immigrant.  And that undocumented immigrants alone paid $11.2 billion in US taxes for 2010, while multi-billion dollar American businesses hide their true earnings.

So do we hold people or their children accountable for breaking our laws, while letting employers and society off the hook for exploiting cheap labor?  Or do we accept the contributions of us all, accept the varying narratives and biographies that have contributed to one of the strongest nations on Earth?

I, for one, believe we can do it all the above.  After all we are the United States of America.  We can secure our borders while also securing a future for those who succeed academically, those who rise above and beyond given extraordinary circumstances.  We can act on a dream of a more prosperous union, where we value Human Rights for all, where we give dignity to all, and where we hold true to the Founding Fathers’ calling “E Pluribus Unum.”  From Many, One.

comments welcomed.

allen sowelle, show creator

 

 

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February 1, 2012

| Alley Pezanoski-Browne

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:

  • Resources for people contemplating or going through divorce
  • Mental Health America (MHA)
  • Life After Divorce: 3 Survival Strategies from WebMD
  • Kids Coping With Divorce
  • Cooperative Parenting

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February 1, 2012

| Alley Pezanoski-Browne

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:

  • La historia de mi vida: Guía de discusión
  • Artículos sobre el divorcio en AOL Latino

Sitios web útiles con recursos sobre el divorcio

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January 25, 2012

| Alley Pezanoski-Browne

Episode 3: I'll Talk About You

A boy and his grandmother have a difficult conversation about family, legacy, and love when he finds out that she has cancer.

Writer/Director: Allen Sowelle
“Nana”: Cassandra Braden
“Grandson”: Esquiel Osaze Sowelle

Read an interview “I’ll Talk About You” writer/director Allen Sowelle.

Resources for people dealing with a family member with cancer

One in three people in the U.S. face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. 25 percent of cancer survivors in the U.S. have school-aged children. This means that there a lot of families, and a lot of children, who are dealing with cancer right now with a grandparents, parent, family member, friend, or teacher. Also, siblings of children with cancer report that the support they receive at school is just as important as the support they receive at home.

Livestrong at School is a free set of online lessons for grades K–12 to help you teach students about cancer in a way that is age-appropriate, inspiring and empowering. The printable lessons (which are also in Spanish) include: national standards, clear learning objectives, engaging videos, extension activities, a check for understanding, ways that students can get involved in the fight against cancer

While every child is unique and will cope with an illness in the family differently, the American Cancer Society says there are certain responses you can expect to see:

  • Children can’t always tell you, but may show you how they feel.
  • A child may act less mature when upset.
  • Children blame themselves.
  • The child’s level of trust will show up in their behavior.
  • Cancer treatment will bring out new and different responses from children.

Here’s more advice on helping your children understand a cancer diagnosis of a family member.

Other resources that may be helpful include:

  • Warning signs for breast cancer
  • Are breast self-exams important to do?
  • How to do breast self-exams
  • The stages of cancer
  • Finding and paying for treatment
  • Treating cancer with nutrition
  • Personal story of coping with breast cancer
  • Support for caregivers
  • Find local support groups
  • Helping kids cope when a family member has cancer
  • Help for children with cancer
  • More help for children with cancer
  • Vital health exams for men

 

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January 18, 2012

| Alley Pezanoski-Browne

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:

  • Mark Dombeck, Ph.D. & Kathryn Patricelli, MA and Mental Health America (MHA)
  • Life After Divorce: 3 Survival Strategies from WebMD

Getting help for the kids:

  • Resources for people helping children deal with divorce

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curriculum, discussion guide, divorce, front seat chronicles, paying for a divorce | 6 Comments
blog post |

January 17, 2012

| Alejandra Okie

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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Director Allen Sowelle, divorce, front seat chronicles, interview, Latina women, Writer Alejandra Okie | 5 Comments
blog post, español |

January 17, 2012

| Alley Pezanoski-Browne

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:

El divorcio y los hijos adolescentes

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ayuda barata con divorcio, ayuda con el divorcio, ayuda divorcio, ayuda gratis con divorcio, Crónicas en el asiento delantero, curriculum, divorcio, front seat chronicles, guía de discusión, pagar por el divorcio, plan de estudios | 2 Comments

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