Allen Wolf's Blog, page 3
June 16, 2020
Why Empathy and Compassion Are Important And How They Helped My Marriage
“You need to show me more empathy,” my wife said with tears in her eyes.
“But I’m a good listener!” I said.
I was wrong.
While I did listen to my wife and had compassion toward her, I wasn’t putting myself in her emotional shoes and that’s what she was wanting from me.. I wasn’t empathizing with her which made her feel like I wasn’t deeply listening to her. Empathy and compassion are important to your well-being and our relationships but sometimes one is needed more than the other.
Empathy
Though empathy and compassion are similar concepts, they differ from each other in key ways. Empathy involves being able to understand the feelings of another or to mirror their emotions in order to demonstrate this understanding. This is what my wife was looking for from me. This is not easy for me. I tend to want to confront issues with my problem-solving hat. My first instinct is not to sit in an emotional moment with the other person.
In essence, empathy is all about someone demonstrating an emotional response based on the state of another. This concept goes beyond sympathy or simply feeling bad for someone, which can come across as shallow. To be empathetic is to be moved to actually feel something similar to what another is feeling, to demonstrate an understanding of that person’s experience.
Benefits of Empathy
Empathy has a number of benefits. It can help you to be tuned into others you encounter in your everyday interactions, leading you to relate to even casual associates in socially appropriate ways. Empathy is a crucial element of most social and interpersonal relations. Healthy bonds between parents and their offspring depend upon the caregiver possessing adequate empathy to be able to anticipate the feelings of their offspring throughout development in order to forge a dynamic connection. An affinity for and understanding of others is particularly useful in motivating individuals to assist those in need or who are struggling. Empathy is an underlying foundation of human connection, in general, and aids in cooperation and the maintenance of a social order.
It also helped me greatly with my marriage. When I learned to be more empathetic with my wife, she started to better experience my genuine care for her and believed we were on the same intimate team.
Compassion
Compassion differs from empathy in its outcome. It involves caring about others and feeling concern for their state of being. While there are feelings intertwined with compassion, the focus of the concept is on action rather than emotion. Action is much easier for me than sitting in the emotion that the other person is feeling. Is it easier for you? Compassion involves a motivation to assist those in need. Those who are compassionate possess an awareness of others’ issues that leads them to take steps to alleviate their discomfort.
Benefits of Compassion
Compassion is the driving force behind social connections. It’s what leads parents to meet the needs of their children. They have a lot of needs! It plays a strong role in relationships between adults, too. Compassion is what leads us to act on behalf of our friends and loved ones, to do those little things that strengthen our relationships. It has been shown to actually aid in making people healthier by improving the regulation of thought and emotion, as well as helping to manage the effects of stress. Compassion is a crucial element in altruism and charity. It’s what causes us to want to do something in the aftermath of disasters or tragic events.
Hopefully, reading about the difference helps you understand how empathy and compassion can help us connect better to our relationships, our kids, and our society.
I created a game called You’re Pulling My Leg! where people answer questions about their lives. There are questions that go deep and others that are lighter. I’ve played the game with hundreds of people and I’ve responded with both compassion and empathy toward other players as I hear their stories. If you’d like a way to connect to others, whether it’s in person or over a video call, feel free to check it out.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about empathy versus compassion in the comments below.
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July 9, 2019
Allen is a Guest on The Eric Metaxas Show
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March 29, 2019
Renowned Composer Conrad Pope Will Create Score for Hooked
Renowned composer Conrad Pope will create the score for the feature film Hooked, written and directed by Allen Wolf. Over his career in Hollywood, Conrad has contributed to the music of more than a hundred films, including many iconic movies: Star Wars, Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Matrix, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Moonrise Kingdom, Godzilla, The Hobbit, and Sully.
Conrad also composed the critically-lauded score for My Week with Marilyn and most recently orchestrated and conducted the score to Wes Anderson’s Oscar-nominated Isle of Dogs. Conrad and Allen previously collaborated together when Conrad composed the score to Allen’s feature film thriller, In My Sleep.
Hooked is a romantic dramedy based on the critically-acclaimed novel that brings attention to human trafficking and autism. The production filmed all around Seattle in August 2018, and the film is currently raising funds to complete the post-production at www.SupportHooked.com.
Conrad helped craft incentives to join the support team for Hooked, including the chance to help conduct the orchestra, own a signed original copy of the sheet music, experience the recording of the music, and other unique opportunities.
After funding is complete, Hooked is expected to debut in theaters in late 2019. Watch the video announcement here:
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February 6, 2019
Premiere of Scenes from Hooked the Movie
On Valentine’s Day, please join us for the premiere of scenes from Hooked the movie at 11 am Eastern / 8 am Pacific. This will be the first opportunity to experience scenes from our romantic dramedy that was filmed in Seattle during the summer of 2018. Filmmaker Allen Wolf will be joined by cast and crew from the film and they will be live chatting during the presentation. Valentine’s Day will also mark the beginning of Phase 2 for Hooked, when we raise the final funds to complete the movie. You can subscribe to our YouTube channel to get a reminder about this premiere. See you on Valentine’s Day!
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December 30, 2018
Thankful for Hooked Supporters
Since production has ended, I’ve been editing the film daily. It has been thrilling to see everything come together. Here’s a glimpse behind-the-scenes of me editing.
None of this would have been possible without everyone’s generosity. I am so grateful for everyone on our team. Their support will bring smiles and tears to many people and will help them see the issue of human trafficking in a fresh and impactful way. Enjoy these behind-the-scenes pics.
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September 30, 2018
That’s a Wrap! Hooked the Movie Completes Filming
Normally when you film a movie at this extremely low budget level, many films concentrate around one location and keep the scenes relatively simple. That wasn’t the case with Hooked because we had an important story to tell! We managed to film at 27 locations all around Seattle while filming 98 scenes involving hundreds of extras.
This was all possible because of our amazing supporters, the incredibly talented cast and crew, and the many fantastic people who volunteered their time and resources to help make our movie possible.
Beyond that, we had some wonderful churches and businesses donate their space and resources. Our local Starbucks alone donated enough coffee and scones for nearly the entire production. It was incredible! We saw many answered prayers.
What’s next? We’re now editing the footage and we’ll soon be raising the funds we need to complete post production. That will include sound design, sound editing and mixing, recording the score, and everything it will take to get the movie ready for the big screen.
There are so many stories and pictures I’d love to share with you. I’m collecting them now and will post them while I edit the movie. I’m including a few pictures below from the first two days of production. Enjoy! And thank you to everyone who is supporting Hooked!
Our lead actors get ready to film a dramatic scene:
Jason Treviño and Cora Cleary played the leading two roles and did a terrific job. It was a pleasure to direct them.
Ever wonder how you film in a car on a low budget? The director drives, the camera man sits in the passenger seat with the camera and…
…the sound mixer hides in the trunk!
We filmed many scenes in Fremont, a hip and artsy area of Seattle.
It It takes a lot of equipment and people to make a movie. We typically had 20-40 people working on the set every day.
On our low budget, we couldn’t afford a director’s chair so I just sat where I could and appreciated anything that could give me shade.
Yes, I have a cameo in Hooked. If you’ve read the book, you’ll know what is happening in this scene. If not, it’ll be a surprise!
The post That’s a Wrap! Hooked the Movie Completes Filming appeared first on Allen Wolf | Author, Filmmaker, Game Creator.
June 27, 2018
Filmmaker Allen Wolf Offers One-Day Screenwriting Workshop
We’ll talk about:
How to write convincing dialogue
Creating story beats
How to break through creative blocks
And much more…
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced writer, you’ll gain insight into developing a powerful story. This is an interactive workshop where you’ll also get to workshop your material. You can [image error] attend the workshop in Seattle or join live via Skype.
Allen Wolf has won multiple awards for both his screenwriting and novel writing. His feature film, In My Sleep, won ten festivals awards, played theatrically, and has been seen in over 70 countries. Allen’s screenwriting has won awards from over twenty different festivals and his debut novel also garnered multiple accolades. Allen graduated from New York University’s film school. His movies and writing have been enjoyed by millions of people around the world.
Saturday, October 27
10am-5pm
Retreat Center at Beverly Lake
Everett, WA
$50 discount by donating $200 to Hooked Campaign before noon, July 7
You’ll receive a coupon code to register with Epic Write.
After July 7, register directly with Epic Write.
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June 13, 2018
Allen Wolf to Direct Romantic Comedy Feature Film About Human Trafficking
Award-winning filmmaker Allen Wolf is producing and directing Hooked, a screenplay he wrote based on his acclaimed novel. Hooked is about a man who believes he found his soulmate but his autism keeps him from realizing she’s actually a prostitute. The film is a romantic comedy feature film set in Seattle that will highlight the issue of human trafficking and help people see autism through a new lens.
Wolf started a Meetup Group on the Eastside of Seattle to help produce the movie. A mix of over 250 professionals and volunteers have joined the group and have been meeting regularly to plan the production. “I’m overwhelmed at the enthusiasm for making Hooked,” Wolf says.
The Hooked film production team is raising their budget from the crowdsourcing site Seed and Spark (www.SupportHooked.com) where people can also follow the production of the film. The production has partnered with a non-profit that supports films that have a positive impact on society so that all contributions are tax-deductible. Incentives for joining the production include visits to the sets, being an extra, and even having your name shouted out during a scene.
The screenplay has won multiple wards awards from film festivals around the United States and the novel has also garnered recognition and critical praise. Hooked will be going into production the first three weeks of August and auditions will be held for local talent in July.
Wolf’s previous film, In My Sleep, won nine festival awards, played theatrically in fifteen cities, and was distributed to over seventy countries. In My Sleep is now playing on Lifetime Movie Network and is available on Netflix, Amazon and iTunes.
People in Seattle are welcome to help with the production of Hooked and can sign up to get involved through www.HookedTheMovie.com.
Allen Wolf speaks to a team of professionals and volunteers who are planning the production of Hooked.
Allen Wolf to Direct Romantic Comedy Feature Film About Human Trafficking
Award-winning filmmaker Allen Wolf is producing and directing Hooked, a screenplay he wrote based on his acclaimed novel. Hooked is about a man who believes he found his soulmate but his autism keeps him from realizing she’s actually a prostitute. The film is a romantic comedy feature film set in Seattle that will highlight the issue of human trafficking and help people see autism through a new lens.[image error]
Wolf started a Meetup Group on the Eastside of Seattle to help produce the movie. A mix of over 250 professionals and volunteers have joined the group and have been meeting regularly to plan the production. “I’m overwhelmed at the enthusiasm for making Hooked,” Wolf says.
The Hooked film production team is raising their budget from the crowdsourcing site Seed and Spark (www.SupportHooked.com) where people can also follow the production of the film. The production has partnered with a non-profit that supports films that have a positive impact on society so that all contributions are tax-deductible. Incentives for joining the production include visits to the sets, being an extra, and even having your name shouted out during a scene.
The screenplay has won multiple awards from film festivals around the United States and the novel has also garnered recognition and critical praise. Hooked will be going into production the first three weeks of August and auditions will be held for local talent in July.
Wolf’s previous film, In My Sleep, won nine festival awards, played theatrically in fifteen cities, and was distributed to over seventy countries. In My Sleep is now playing on Lifetime Movie Network and is available on Netflix, Amazon and iTunes.
People in Seattle are welcome to help with the production of Hooked and can sign up to get involved through www.HookedTheMovie.com.
Allen Wolf speaks to a team of professionals and volunteers who are planning the production of Hooked.
The post Allen Wolf to Direct Romantic Comedy Feature Film About Human Trafficking appeared first on Allen Wolf | Author, Filmmaker, Game Creator.
From the Heart Productions Partners with Hooked the Movie
The non-profit organization, From the Heart Productions, is partnering with the film production of A.D. Wolf’s Hooked so that all contributions toward the movie are tax-deductible. “From the Heart Productions, Inc. is honored to provide fiscal sponsorship for the feature film project, Hooked,” says Carole Dean, the president of the non-profit. “We carefully select the films we sponsor, and believe that Hooked will make a positive contribution to society and to the field of filmmaking.”
From the Heart has been successfully partnering with films since 1993 as a 501(c)3. They are classified as a public charity so that any monetary donations or non-cash contributions qualify as charitable contributions under the U.S. Tax Code. The organization issues receipts for the value of those goods or services as needed. From the Heart Productions will administer any funds received in support of Hooked. In 2017 and 2018, Great Non-Profits named From the Heart Productions as a top-rated non-profit.
“We carefully select the films we sponsor, and believe that Hookedwill make a positive contribution to society and to the field of filmmaking.”
Hooked is a romantic comedy that brings attention to human trafficking. The screenplay to Hooked has won multiple awards and the film is working toward going into production this August in Seattle. The film will be directed by Allen Wolf and the production team is made up of a mix of professionals and over 200 volunteers.
“As fiscal sponsor for Hooked, we will be closely monitoring its progress. We will contribute advice and feedback where needed on fundraising initiatives, trailers, rough cuts, festival submissions, distribution, and outreach strategies,” says Dean. “We are proud to endorse Hooked and encourage people to support this project as they work to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking.”
For information about the crowdfunding campaign for Hooked, visit the Seed and Spark Website.
