Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper) makes short films

Photo copyright 2006 by Allan Maurer ARR.

Danica McKellar, who played Winnie Cooper on "The Wonder Years" TV show that I and so many other baby boomers recall for its bittersweet portrait of growing up in the 1960s, accompanied her short film "Broken" to the RiverRun film festival in Winston-Salem, NC, in March.

"Broken" is an exquisitely filmed (on 35mm widescreen)six minute short that explores a woman's drastic attempt to heal her broken heart. It opens with superb piece of expository filmmaking, getting everything you need to know across with a few opening images as the credits roll. It's an impressive piece of work and I hope to see her other two shorts.

McKellar answering questions after the event said she's just learning the craft of filmmaking and storytelling, but this one certainly shows some mastery of the essential elements. Though shorter than many we see, it nevertheless manages a complete beginning, middle and end. If there's a single fault we see most often, it is the lack of same that scuttles many an otherwise fine short film effort.

Danica says she would be interested in making a film about a woman scientist or math whiz--which she is herself, having majored in math and managing to prove a theorem as an undergrad. She impressed us with her at ease courtesy despite her admission during the Q&A that she has a somewhat "dark" take on thing in "Broken."

I'd bet real money that Danica McKellar, now 30, will make an impressive feature film debut, but in the meanwhile, her short films are worth seeking out.