Private Project

The Low Ceiling


Jimmy embarks on his journey to get to his appointment so that he can receive housing assistance. With the world seemingly against him at every turn, he has an ever-decreasing chance of getting there on time. After getting beaten down by his unfortunate circumstance Jimmy must accept the reality of his situation.

The Low Ceiling is named after this James Baldwin quote: “These boys, now, were living as we'd been living then, they were growing up with a rush and their heads bumped abruptly against the low ceiling of their actual possibilities."

  • Ryan Gomes
    Director
    After The Tone, The Extraordinarily Short Life of Jeff
  • Ryan Gomes
    Writer
  • Ryan Gomes
    Producer
  • Michael Lovato
    Key Cast
    "Jimmy"
    Graves, Millenium Bug, Third Act
  • Ryan Koo
    Key Cast
    "Sean"
    Subtle Asian Comedy
  • Samir Hobab
    Key Cast
    "George"
    The Cycle
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 55 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 1, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Fairleigh Dickinson University
Director Biography - Ryan Gomes

Ryan Gomes is a young Cape Verdean/American director born in Maine and raised in Rhode Island. He is passionate about the arts and about storytelling, so much that he started his own filmmaking non profit Reel Artistry where he has served nearly 1000 young people.

Ryan ended up attending an arts high school in Pawtucket Rhode Island and later the University of Rhode Island for filmmaking, before attending Fairleigh Dickinson University for his MFA. Ryan is also a veteran, just recently ending his service as a Black Hawk mechanic.

Ryan’s life experience and through early childhood to the arts, to the Army National Guard has given him the tools to tell stories from experience that most 26 year olds don’t have behind them. This shows in all of his films.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Working on The Low Ceiling was an incredible experience. The entirety of this film is improvised creating a truly collaborative production.

I went into this film with the desire to tell a story, one that I have heard so many times, and I am happy that as a team we have done that. Improvising all of the dialogue helped us create an authentic group of characters. I had the beginning, middle and end, but getting from place to place was only made possible by the incredible cast.