Ever Had Your Fortune Told by a Puppet? Dr. Penelope, a Psychic Puppet, Co-Stars in PSYCHICOLOGIST

LOS ANGELES - April 3, 2019 - PRLog -- PSYCHICOLOGIST is a short film about Julia, (Katie Koster - Class Dismissed, Congratulations Mr. Gonzalez!), a graduate student returning home struggling to finish her psychology dissertation. She finds herself in comical, yet serious situations where she questions herself and her intuition when she meets her mother's (Carrie Madsen - Gilmore Girls, Jane the Virgin) psychic puppet, Dr. Penelope. Contrary to Julia's beliefs, Dr.Penelope offers her unexpected insight to trust her inner knowledge. The importance of human connections is explored through Dr. Penelope's diverse clients, including a waitress (Jacqui Lynn Phung - Hawaii Five-O), a grieving mother (Sandi McCree - The Bobby Brown Story, The Wire) and possible new love interest, mailman (Jason Grasl - White Collar, Hot in Cleveland).

The female-driven story was created by Annika Hylmö who with a doctorate in communication (or storytelling, as she likes to put it) makes her debut as a Director with this upcoming fantasy/comedy short film ready to capture Millennials and their older sisters, mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers, and every man across all generations who also enjoys a chick flick or two. She notes that, "PSYCHICOLOGIST is my opportunity to explore themes of family and relationships across time and spiritual boundaries, life and death, with just the right amount of fun and laughter. It lets us look at how we need to come together as individuals and as a community in an increasingly fragmented world. What better way to do that than in a story about a woman whose dreams are disrupted by a puppet who challenges her to the core?" These are universal themes that resonate with many.

Both cast and crew include a number of talented women, each drawn to the project for their own reasons. The highly research based Millennial Supervising Producer Sydney K. shares her thoughts about her connection to PSYCHICOLOGIST and how feelings guide her:

"They're often right though, and they're apart of me, they come from me! Hence there's always a dilemma between my mind and my heart, and how I reconcile them. Hopefully they want the same thing but too often there's a tussle over what I want versus what I should really do!"

And from Sara Logan, Film and digital media professional, another Millennial part of the female-driven team:

"What drew me to the project was its focus on a relatable, authentic female voice. I love that the story playfully dives into Julia's complicated life by introducing us to a mystical world that cannot always be explained with rationality."

The PSYCHICOLOGIST team is filled with women, but includes a number of fantastic men. Four-time Emmy-winner Geoff Schaaf (Screenagers, Eat, Drink, Laugh: The Story of a Comic Strip and Charmed) is the cinematographer of PSYCHICOLOGIST. He says, "Talk is cheap in Hollywood, but Annika is making movies."

Oscar-nominated and Emmy winning film director and screenwriter Thomas Rickman ( Hooper, "Coal Miner's Daughter") was Executive Producer on the PSYCHICOLOGIST and wholeheartedly supported this short film. We are forever grateful for his work - his spirit is deeply felt and missed. Tom fell in love with Dr. Penelope and the feeling was mutual. His passion for the project was rooted in his love of great stories and the thematic tensions that are unique to PSYCHICOLOGIST.

PSYCHICOLOGIST is a darker comedy set to bring laughter, tears, and joy to a large audience and is now in pre-production and funding and is intended for a festival release late 2019.

Crowdfunding has now begun and your support is needed! Please consider donating and spreading the word!

For donations and additional information:
https://www.seedandspark.com/fund/psychicologist#story

Meet Annika at PSYCHICOLOGIST-fundraiser in Corona del Mar on April 26th. Media Contact is available for more information. Donations at event are tax deductible.