Sunday, September 20, 2015

09/20

Up to this point in the pre-production stages of "The Business of Love" (a recent change in doc title), Zoƫ and I have teetered back and forth on the premise of this film. We would sit down at every one of our meetings (and we've had quite a few), and really have to establish concrete ideas for the project. Until our most recent meeting, this had been the case...now, thanks to the help of our classmates, we know what our film is. A collection of stories from businesses all over town, businesses that cater to the needs of love, the many different forms of relationships where love exists. Our presentation goes into detail about this - but it is quite a relief to finally really know our topic, or angle so to say. Love is broad, but we've finally narrowed it down.

Where we are currently is in a slowed down communication zone (whatever that really is), where we've reached out to our experts (aka business owners/workers) and they've responded but are slightly hesitant to work with us. Some people have been very interested, no hesitation, other people, where their work in dealing with couples is quite private or personal are really inquiring about our intentions, and despite explaining ourselves, these people just might not be feeling it. But this is okay, we did not expect this to be a breeze. So we are being patient as of now, and if certain experts have confirmed against us, we will move forward.

I think we are really just looking forward to getting the first of the interviews, because this will help set the tone for our film. Our experts come from highly varied backgrounds so it feels a bit unorganized right now, but once we've started collecting material, a central theme will prevail.

Monday, September 7, 2015

Expert Interview Bios and Questions


Mother – Jennifer Freeman

Jennifer is a semi recently remarried mother of three. Her kids, Grace Dodd, age 8, Wright Dodd, age 6, and Emerson Freeman, age 1 ½. Age 38, Jennifer graduated from Mount Olive College and works with an activist group involved in drug representation. She currently lives in Wilmington, but is originally from Teachy, North Carolina.

Questions:

  1. In our eyes you qualify as an expert in love being that you are a mother and wife, in as many or few words as you’d like, what is love to you?
  2. If you do not mind sharing, what toll did divorce have on you and your kids?
  3. How do you share the time with the kids between you and your ex-husband? What prompted this arrangement?
  4. What do you look for in a relationship/father for your kids?
  5. Can you tell me about your first love?
  6. What’s the difference between the first love and the ones to come after?
  7. Describe the feeling of being a parent - the transition from you being the center of your world to little humans acquiring that position; what’s running through your mind, etc.
  8. Did you see changes in your marriage after having kids? What were they?
  9. What would you have done differently in your first marriage? Why?
  10. What has been the most helpful advice you’ve received about marriage?
Counselor - Douglas Owen

Douglas is the owner of Bridge Builders Counseling Center, a professional therapy and counseling center located in Wilmington, NC. Having received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Randolph Macon College, a Master of Divinity degree, and a Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling, Douglas is highly qualified and passionate about helping people in his community. His center offers services dealing with a wide range of issues such as anger management and mental illness, to parenting and marriage counseling.

Questions:
  1. What is the most common issue you’ve seen among couples using your services, and why do you think that is?
  2. How would you describe the difference between romantic love and familial love? Is one stronger than the other, why?
  3. What exactly does counseling do for couples and parents in need?
  4. What experiences in your life prompted your interest in such work as couples and marriage counseling?
  5. Are you married? (If I may ask) How is your marriage?
  6. What do you believe to be the connection between spirituality and love?
  7. To give a definition to it, what is love?
  8. In the simplest sense, is love more about biology or chemistry? Explain.
  9. Do you agree with the opposites attract theory or those more similar attract?
  10. What is the most basic advice you would give to a couple having problems?
Bartender – Jim Radle

Jim is the owner and one of the bartenders of 22 North, a beach bar and restaurant located on Wrightsville Beach. Jim is in his thirties, and has been married for a few years, with several children. Jim is also a first hand witness of the minglings of college students during his bar’s nightlife.

Questions:

  1. How would you describe the basic interaction between college kids at your bar?
  2. Describe some of the best and worst couples you’ve seen?
  3. How do you balance the young bar scene with being a father and husband?
  4. What were you like in college?
  5. When did you meet your wife? How has your relationship changed over the years?
  6. Do you think it is possible to have a lasting relationship in college? How/Why?
  7. What kind of relationship advice would you give your kids?
  8. How much of an effect does alcohol have on the college dating scene?
  9. What is the difference in behavior between a girl and a guy at a bar?
  10. Do you think the social environment promotes or inhibits a young person’s relationship? Why?