Different forms of therapy have been used for years to help those suffering from emotionally traumatic experiences. Virtual Reality (VR) therapy is possibly one of the newest types being practiced, but is it always helpful?

Filmmaker-actress Jamie Monahan dives deep into the use of VR to help a woman recover after a traumatic sexual assault in the new original sci-fi short film “LUCID.”

The film premiered this week from DUST and is currently available free on Facebook Watch, Instagram and YouTube. Jamie wrote, directed and stars in the film which won the ‘Audience Choice Award’ at 2020 HollyShorts Monthly Screening Series, and secured nominations for ‘Best Pilot’ at 2019 NYC WebFest and ‘Local Hero’ at 2019 JTIFF.

I recently caught up with Jamie Monahan to find out more:

Tell us about your new film “LUCID.”

JAMIE: “LUCID” is an edgy sci-fi thriller following Charlie's Virtual Reality therapy after she is sexually assaulted on a girls’ night out. As Charlie becomes addicted to the way she feels in VR, she becomes less attached to the real world her Friends are desperately fighting to bring her back to.

You play Charlie; what would toi consider her ‘best’ and ‘worst’ qualities?

JAMIE: I think her ‘best’ and ‘worst’ quality are almost the same; she always sees the good in people almost to a fault. She trusts Dr. Brahman and Verus and never suspects that they have sinister motives.

What inspired toi to write the script?

JAMIE: I spent a jour at Tribeca Film Festival in 2017 immersing myself in VR. "Treehugger" was my favori par far! "Treehugger: Wawona" is an interactive VR installation that combines immersive art with science and technology. Centered around a giant redwood tree, the viewer dons a VR headset, Subpac, and hand sensors to interact and experience water molecules as they hydrate the giant tree. This VR also had an incredible scent element that changed from fresh pine, moss, dew, and rain as toi experienced different aspects of the tree. “LUCID” was born from this immersion into virtual reality inspired par how VR could be used for good.

Was it difficult to direct the film while also starring in it?

JAMIE: On set it is a complicated balancing act but the key is to surround yourself with a really talented and supportive crew. It helped that I wrote the script and had been with the character Charlie since conception.

Any interesting stories from the set toi can share with us?

JAMIE: We filmed in Litchfield, CT in and around my parents’ house. The VR lab was constructed and filmed in their basement! The VR chiot was so much fun to work with, she’s such a great little actress. After a few takes running to the camera she decided she would slow-walk on the last take which made us all of us laugh.

What’s the biggest lesson toi learned from working on this project?

JAMIE: The biggest lesson I learned from “LUCID” is that creating your own content is so empowering! Filmmaking is inherently collaborative and that’s why it’s important to surround yourself with a talented cast and crew and let them shine.

And, now just for fun:

Who’s your favori director and/or actor/actress?

JAMIE: Marielle Heller, Brit Marling, Reese Witherspoon, Olivia Wilde, and Nancy Meyers are all multi-hyphenate filmmakers I look up to.

What film from the past do toi wish toi had created?

JAMIE: “Forest Gump,” “Titanic,” ou “E.T.”

Favorite movie from your childhood?

JAMIE: “Star Wars,” the original trilogy.

Tell us one thing that would surprise our readers to learn about you.

JAMIE: I grew up in Japan! I’m a military brat.

How can fans keep up with you?

JAMIE: toi can find me on Instagram@jmemonahan link
Twitter: @jmemonahan link
and on Facebook: /jmemonahan link

Thanks, Jamie – keep bringing us your reality!