Private Project

Unspoken

A couple engages a therapist in hopes of salvaging a problematic marriage, but things take an uncertain turn as the session unravels and past secrets emerge.

  • Richard Zelniker
    Director
    As Night Comes, Menage A Trois, Beckoned, Green Banana, Brothers
  • Stephen Alkus
    Writer
  • Richard Zelniker, Stephen Heleker
    Producer
    Same as above. Stephen Heleker produced Good (2020) starring Keith David
  • Michael Beach
    Key Cast
    "Dr. Berman/Doc"
    If Beale Street Could Talk, Aquaman
  • Jamie McShane
    Key Cast
    "Walter/Walt"
    Bloodline, Mank
  • Jeante Godlock
    Key Cast
    "Barbara/Babs"
    Simone Biles Story (TV movie), Daybreak (Netflix)
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 41 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 12, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    21:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Richard Zelniker

A Montreal native based in Los Angeles, Richard Zelniker is an award –winning writer, director and producer who first became inspired for the movies when working a neighborhood cinema as a teen. In the 90’s, Zelniker lived in Toronto before moving to Los Angeles, where he began developing his own projects to direct. His acclaimed short, A Test Of Will, which he wrote, produced and directed, led to his award winning feature directorial debut, Fix, (aka, Menage A Trois.)
Following his award winning debut feature, Zelniker stepped away from the camera and spent the next several years working as a “script doctor”. After seeing several of those scripts achieve success, he decided it was time to jump back into creating and writing his own material again.
Zelniker’s second feature as a director, As Night Comes, (starring Luke Baines, Myko Olivier) gained wide exposure and glowing reviews beginning with a limited theatrical release (played Laemmle’s Music Hall), followed by a wide SVOD release, (Gravitas Ventures) and then the North American DVD release via Revolver Entertainment Group.

In 2019/20, Richard directed and produced two award winning shorts, Candy Apple Red and Beckoned. Beckoned has achieved staggering success with 11 awards while being selected to play 26 festivals. The movie stars Ciara Hanna.
Other Zelniker feature scripts ready for Richard to direct is the dark thriller "Bright Midnight", and the teen high school thriller "BFF". Currently, Zelniker is preparing to direct the psychological horror/thriller "Don't Look There", being produced by horror director Lucky McKee and producer Warren Zide.
In the meantime, having completed more short content; "Green Banana", “Brothers”, and now his most recent, “Unspoken”, starring Michael Beach, Jamie McShane and Jeante Godlock, he and his team are hopeful as they begin to hit the film festival circuit in 2021. Zelniker’s philosophy of filmmaking is simple: “Everything begins with compelling characters, every story must be built around compelling characters and their lives. A storyteller asks an audience to sit in the dark when they could be doing almost anything. We’d better give them a good reason to watch!”

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Director Statement

Unspoken is a dream come true. Having the opportunity to cast and work with such talent as Michael Beach, Jamie McShane and Jeante Godlock is an opportunity every filmmaker dreams of. With us all hindered by the terrible pandemic and the challenges that come along with it, we managed to be blessed with quality rehearsal time, which helped create an environment for a productive and creative set. These amazing actors along with the dedicated crew helped make my job exciting and inspiring. With the film taking place, essentially, in one room, the story has a unique and unsettling turn of events. I will say no more, except I hope you are compelled by the viewing experience. Thank you for watching!