The 'MAPLE AVE' Series

As Seen On PBS!

 

To purchase copies of the Emmy® Nominated, Telly, Omni & Remi Award-Winning MAPLE AVE Series, please click here! 

JENNY'S REASONS
Bridging the gap between education and entertainment, 'Jenny's Reasons' provides a haunting look at teen depression and the often unwitting family dynamics that surround it. The powerful, award-winning short finds its main character, Jenny, in the throes of clinical depression, unable to understand the reasons she 'feels so bad all the time'. Deeply confused and desperately overwhelmed, Jenny makes plans to end her life ~ plans that are ultimately thwarted when her best friend, Tanya, confronts her and shares a dark secret of her own. (©2003, OutreachArts, Inc., Run Time: 19:16.) View Clip

GHOSTS IN THE HALL
The second episode in the award-winning 'Maple Ave' series focuses on teen bullying and the tragedies inherent when parents as well as their teens unfairly label one another. Jim has reached the edge of violence after being the victim of incessant bullying. Unfortunately, Jim's family doesn't help him cope with his problems and things get progressively worse. In contrast, Jenny's family engages in healthy confrontations as they cope with their concerns following Jenny's period of depression (see 'Jenny's Reasons'). The award-winning 'Ghosts in the Hall' continues 'Maple Ave''s unique focus on the inner life of teens and their families. (©2004, OutreachArts, Inc., Run Time: 23:05.) View Clip

THE HURTING
In this episode, series character, Ashley resorts to 'cutting' to cope with an abusive father, who's regularly victimized her family as far back as she can remember. Like a growing number of teens nationwide, Ashley regularly cuts her arms and legs, substituting her overwhelming inner pain and rage with an external pain that she is seemingly better able to manage. This last illusion is finally dispelled in a heart-wrenching finale that finds a desperate Ashley reaching out to a sympathetic teacher (Ms. Tanner) for help. (©2006, OutreachArts, Inc., Run Time: 21:53.) View Clip 1 View Clip 2

P.S. I MISS YOU
This episode focuses on series regular, Tanya and the toll her family situation has taken on her in the year and a half following her older brother's suicide. During this time, Tanya has been coping by helping others, but gradually this proves not to be enough, and she turns to drinking to ease her pain (in between haunting dreams about her dead brother). Ultimately, things get out of control and her best friend, Jenny intervenes to get her friend some much-needed help. (©2006, OutreachArts, Inc., Run Time: 21:45.) View Clip

HATING TAMI
In the film, Angela and her friends take every opportunity to make Tami's life miserable, even going so far as to pose as a boy interested in Tami on a social networking site. As the story unfolds, we are also introduced to Tami and Angela's respective parents, ultimately providing clues to their behavior and various life stressors. While Tami's hyper-competitive parents continually pressure their 'A' student daughter to be the best at everything, Angela's single Mom appears more interested in being her daughter's best friend than her parent. All the while, sympathetic teacher, Ms. Hutchinson has been attempting to reach out to Tami but finds her reluctant to open up. In a dramatic turn of events, Angela's cruel prank is uncovered - but is it too late...? (©2008, OutreachArts, Inc., Run Time: 26:17.) View Clip 1 View Clip 2

MORE THAN THIS
Living in the shadow of his older brother's past athletic glories, Donnie turns to steroid abuse to help him 'measure up' on the basketball court. Not long after, he finds his life slowly spinning out of control as his girlfriend, Angela tries in vain to help him kick his addiction. In the meantime, Angela is also struggling to convince her friends, Dara and Lucy, that, contrary to what they've read on the internet, anorexia and bulimia are not 'lifestyle choices' but, instead, serious medical disorders. Angela should know; she too once struggled with bulimia but now finds herself reluctant to share this potentially helpful fact with her two misguided friends. Donnie's Coach, Jack, is also struggling with intervening in what he suspects may be Donnie's steroid problem. However, once Jack's sister, Joy reminds him of her son's tragic loss to drugs, he is forced to reconsider his position. Focusing on body image issues via steroid abuse and eating disorders, 'More Than This' also strongly emphasizes the importance of doing right by others ~ even when it's personally difficult. (©2009, OutreachArts, Inc., Run Time: 27:11.) View Trailer

PROMISE ME
In the seventh and final MAPLE AVE episode, Ann is forced to face the grim reality that her parents‘ addictions (alcoholism and problem gambling) are slowly destroying her family. While her older brother Mike’s quiet stoicism is sorely tested by their alcoholic mother’s denial of reality, Ann’s own initial reluctance is also an issue. However, after Ann’s father gambles away her college fund, she can no longer avoid the truth ~ and soon grows deeply depressed. Though her brother and best friend, Tami sense something’s wrong, will they be in time to avert a potential tragedy...? (©2010 OutreachArts, Inc., Run Time: 18:20) View Trailer

To view additional MAPLE AVE clips, please visit http://www.mapleavefilms.com.

To purchase the MAPLE AVE Series please click here.