Self Portrait

Finding my rhythm. Creating my own distinct melody. Working out the harmony. Matt Bellinger and Li Xiang couldn't be more different. Sixteen-year-old Matt has a serious lack of self-confidence due to being bullied in his old town. His father is getting remarried to someone tied to that time period, and he's having fights with his brother — real fights. Matt has a small group of friends in Southerland, but his mother wants him to branch out and broaden his horizons, which is the last thing he wants to do. Bubbly Xiang loves creating jewelry and clothes and hanging out with her friends, which she has had little difficulty making. An optimistic go-getter, her parents feel she lacks focus and bounces from activity to activity, switching hobbies frequently. While sharing a couple of loves, like art and band, Matt and Xiang feel so different, each is afraid their interest in the other won't be returned. At the end of their sophomore year, they have the opportunity to be involved with a nearby university's summer camp. Work and assignments quickly develop their artistic skills and talents. Experiences and new people help them to sketch out their personalities and interests in more detail. Trials test their relationship with one another. Xiang is afraid camp is changing Matt. Matt is upset that Xiang doesn't seem to share his happiness at fitting in. A brief but critical experience, the arts camps help them to discover who they are and who they want to be, a self-portrait. If they can work through their challenges, fears, and self doubts, they will learn an instrumental lesson.