A mild-mannered man finds himself in a threatening situation and wonders if his girlfriend is the cause.

Interview with Writer/Director Philip A. Ramos

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I made The Kidnapping of a Fish because I wanted to put myself back on the path of being on the creative side of the film business after years of being part of the industry but having no creative input. I also wanted to make both of my parents proud of me that I was taking steps towards realizing a childhood dream of mine of making films that were emotionally moving. My father passing away was a real motivator to make this film and my mother’s support is what drives me. That combined with meeting Fish’s producer John D. Hay, Jr (who is also a writer/director) – who removed all barriers to making this happen – made this kidnapping a reality.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

You should watch this movie if you want to have a great time and be rewarded with rich characters and a story that is full of twists and turns. It is an interesting film because it is truly a mixed genre film. You will find comedy, drama and suspense all wrapped into one.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The two main characters have been damaged by relationships in the past that they don’t want to even look for love anymore. We can all relate to being afraid of not being loved for who we are. Plus, the universal theme that kidnapping is not an enjoyable experience.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script leaned more towards having a lighter ending than the original and the Main actors that we found (Stephen Friedrich and Theodora Miranne) – thanks to Casting director Adrienne Stern - added so much more depth and emotion that one can only dream about. I applaud them as well as Vasile Flutur who added so many layers to his performance as well. I truly am lucky to have them as well as Steve Quimby and Kalen J Hall – who both have smaller roles but they really are amazing in them.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

It has been pretty phenomenal. We had one review from Vulture Hound which said that our film was the best short they have seen in years. It’s fun to see this movie with an audience because different audiences laugh at different times during the film.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Since this short is a longer short than normal, I took a chance thanks to my consultant Thomas Ethan Harris and the insistence of my producer John D. Hay, Jr and Cinematographer Patrick Phillips that I should stick with the length of my film and not chop it in half. The overwhelmingly positive feedback has cemented my feelings that you have to follow your gut and believe in the film that you have created. You don’t always have to follow the highway that everyone is using, sometimes you have to follow the path that a film requires. It was such an intense dilemma that I had and I’m grateful that this version is the film that has gotten the recognition.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I would love to have more people see the film and meet other enthusiastic filmmakers and hope that the visibility will allow me to get more support as I embark on making my feature film.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I’m looking for sales agents and producers who look for financing to help us make more movies that are fun and heartfelt and remind you why movies you loved movies in the first place.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I want people to watch this film and be fully immersed in the world that is created. I hope it has an emotional impact, while also making them laugh – a roller coaster ride of emotions.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

It’s the basic message of the film – if you love someone, how much are you wiling to accept?

Would you like to add anything else?

This film would never have seen the light of day if I never met John D. Hay, Jr. and Patrick Phillips – two people who because of their passionate love of film and their “get out and do it” attitude led us all on this journey that this film has taken us to Cannes and so many places we never would have imagined while we were discussing it in a basement in Brooklyn.

We are in development of the feature film Mr. Trevor, which is in the same universe as this film but a different story. The Kidnapping of a Fish is meant to be a proof of concept for the feature. People can follow us at Thatstormfilms.com and teambiscuitfilms.com as well as my instagram @mcflyfilm

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Producer John. D. Hay, Jr. has his own film that he directed called Attempt to Rise and is directing and editing a documentary on Diversity in Alaska. DP Patrick Phillips shot this documentary and has several films that he has shot. We all plan to work together again on Mr. Trevor in 2018! Follow us and please do not hesitate to reach out!

Interview: August 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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The Kidnapping of a Fish

A mild-mannered man finds himself in a threatening situation and wonders if his girlfriend is the cause.

Length: 25 minutes

Director: Philip. A. Ramos

Producer: John D. Hay, Jr.

Writer: Philip A. Ramos

About the writer, director and producer:

Writer/Editor/Director Philip A. Ramos is an NYU graduate who has worked on such projects as The Tick, The Bourne Ultimatum and Brawl in Cell Block 99

Producer John D. Hay is a writer/director of the web series Work, in Progress and a graduate of VCU

Cinematographer Patrick Phillips is a VCU graduate and a DP of several shorts and music videos.

Key cast: Stephen Friedrich, Theodora Miranne, Vasile Flutur, Steve Quimby, Kalen J Hall

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Social media handles:

Facebook: philiparamos

Twitter: @iamryanatwood

Instagram: @mcflyfilm

Other: thatstormfilms.com, Teambiscuitfilms.com

Where can I see it in the next month? Action on film Festival in Las Vegas (August), Buffalo Niagara Film Festival (September)