http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/102 ... hesis-film

"Love-Shy" is a senior thesis documentary that follows several men who are too shy to romantically approach women. Love-shyness is an obscure term, and even more obscure topic of discussion. These men feel as though not even their therapists are equipped to handle their issues with women and intimacy. This condition often leads to a tragic end - loneliness, bitterness, and lifelong virginity. Many of these men have trouble even talking to women, but there are some who can speak to a woman in a platonic sense.

The film will mainly focus on the love-shys, but I will also be contrasting them with PUA's (Pick-Up Artists). These men are the complete opposites of love-shys. They are outgoing, and feel as though they have women figured out. They use "openers" (pick-up lines), routines (rehearsed small talk), and "closers" (getting the number, or getting laid) to interact with women. Some of these pick-up artists were once shy themselves and have used these techniques to change their success rate with women.

The final component to my film will be sex surrogates. Sex surrogates are women who work with a therapist to help men with sexual issues become more confident and overcome their fear of intimacy. The sex surrogate is very controversial due to the fact that she does indeed have sex with the patient. It is a four to six month process, beginning with talking and eye contact and often ending with the actual sex act. Many love-shys believe this would be a very helpful avenue if only it were more accepted and not so expensive.

I'm hoping to explore the human need for physical contact and emotional connection. I would also like to delve into the idea of feeling as though one is on the outskirts of society, never really belonging, and how that effects one's outlook and life. I have shot three interviews so far, as well as observational footage. I am also planning on traveling to Michigan to shoot with the author of "The Love-Shy Survival Guide", Talmer Shockley if enough funds are raised.