A Deaf Man’s Symphony
2019
When a stage actor performing a one-man show becomes over shadowed by a competitor who is identical to him, he stumbles down a path of self destruction in an effort to protect his art.
Psychological Drama • 18 mins
Writer/director Eli Meadow Ramraj
Starring Sheldon Graham, Arianna Loy, Daniel Yvorchuck
Producers Gaby Girard, Eli Meadow Ramraj
My Major Short Film Debut
While I had made a couple small student films in high school, A Deaf Man’s Symphony was my first independent short. Based off a short story written during an English exam, I had soon developed the idea into an 18-page screenplay, and began gathering friends and family as crew. We put out a casting call through the University of Victoria’s Drama Department, and Sheldon Graham was the first actor who expressed interest in the role. We excitedly offered him the part, and went on to make a short film that would come to uncover my style as a filmmaker, place as semifinalist in two international film festivals, and play a major role in my winning of a the University of Toronto’s full-ride National Scholarship. While I tend to look upon all of my earlier works with a slightly scrunched nose, this film is something I remain extremely proud of. To me, it was proof that I could do it.
Red Carpet Reactions
“Clapboard” Featurette
Behind the Scenes
We shot the film over the course of five days in Victoria, BC with a small cast and crew, and a tiny budget (enough for a camera, light, and microphone). Extras for the bar and street scenes were friends, colleagues, and curious strangers who excitedly jumped in. After five months of post-production, we held a private red carpet screening. The making of this film truly was one of the highlights of my life.
