Director’s Statement

by Nish Ramen

Whispers Among the Trees began with a simple question: ‘What do we miss when the people closest to us try to speak, and we don’t truly listen?’ I was drawn to this story because it captures a familiar, quiet tragedy – the way love can exist alongside distance, pride, and unspoken pain. Two brothers step away from a family gathering and into the woods, where humor becomes armor and small talk becomes a bridge to something harder to share.

At its core, this short film explores vulnerability, family fracture, and the moments we postpone until we think there will be ‘more time’. The location of the nature setting is intentional since the woods offer a kind of privacy and honesty that the house can’t. I chose restrained visuals, intimate sound, and grounded performances to keep the emotion truthful and close, letting silence carry as much weight as dialogue.

The camera stability (or lack of) is intentional based on where the brothers are in their lives currently and it gets more grounded and stable as the bonding increases. I hope the audience leave feeling a gentle urgency. An urgency to check in, to listen past the jokes, and to say the difficult thing now – before it becomes a conversation that you can only have in your head, which I have revealed in a subtle way in the climax.

Nish Ramen – Director, Producer, Editor

Nish Ramen is an Austin-based actor, model, and filmmaker who brings a performance-first sensibility to everything he creates on camera. Nish Ramen has directed, written, produced, and edited short films and music videos – shaping projects from concept through final cut. His work leans cinematic and concept-driven, often aiming for strong emotional payoff and memorable endings. Trained in Meisner, on-camera acting, and Stanislavski’s system, along with improv experience, Nish Ramen continues to develop film and short-form video with a focus on authenticity, mood, and impact – whether he’s leading on screen or building the story behind the lens.

I have been an AD and supported creatively in other projects, but this was my first real experience as a director. So, that in itself is special to me. I loved the fact that I had such a friendly and supportive cast and crew, which made me feel very relaxed and confident on set.

Both actors did a good job and very realistic with their performances. I also do want to give a shout out to the DOP and AC, for dealing with the complicated camera work throughout the one shot.

Nick Clark Tanner as Jaimie

Nick Clark Tanner is an Austin/NYC based actor, director, and videographer. Leaning into a mostly self-taught, “figure it out” approach, he has over a decade’s worth of professional experience across a diverse background of various creative endeavors.

www.nickclarktanner.com