“Quiet Please…” - A Documentary

The Film 

Hi, I’m Jeffrey Scott Gould, the director of a documentary called “Quiet Please…”.3 years ago I received a life-changing phone call from a friend who informed me that the sound sensitivity condition I had for 50 years was an actual disorder called misophonia; which literally means “hatred of sound”.

While doing research, I realized that there was a need for a film, that not only explored the emotional and psychological impact that misophonia has on a person, but also on their relationships, family dynamic, careers, and basically every aspect of their lives as well; I also learned that there were thousands of others around the world, living with this disorder and its life-altering effects.  Contributions and inquires have come in from 23 countries; people experiencing the same reactions to sounds, just as others’ do, halfway around the globe.

While the film is designed to enlighten the world about misophonia, I also feel that “Quiet Please…” has life-lessons for all of us, including: understanding, acceptance, compassion and compromise. Since starting the film in 2015, many people have reacted with “I suffer with similar symptoms, but I didn’t know it was a real condition”, and “Thank you Jeff for giving us hope that we’re not alone.” This is how awareness begins…and based on the emails and posts That I’ve received, the film is already making a difference in sufferer’s and their families’ lives…and it hasn’t even been distributed yet. Please view the trailer and if you find it as interesting and necessary as I do, then please visit our IndieGoGo crowd-sourcing campaign page and help to make this feature length documentary has worldwide distribution. It just might save a relationship, a family…or a life. Thank you for all the support the film and I have received over the past two years, this has been an incredible journey, but it’s far from over.

The Filmmaker

I’m Jeffrey Gould, the director of “Quiet Please…”. I have owned Action Media Productions for 26 years and produced award winning videos and films in many facets of the medical and health care fields; including patient education, treatment protocols, marketing, and disease awareness.  I’m also an independent filmmaker/cinematographer, with two award winning narrative short films to my credit …It was with this combined experience, that I dreamed of producing a documentary about a subject that had a personal effect on me and that subject is Misophonia.

I feel I have something that I can contribute…something that could make a difference; especially since it has been a part of my life since I was 7.  A few years ago I learned that such a condition actually exists…it was cathartic to know that I wasn’t the only one suffering from this affliction.  As I began educating those around me, I saw a change, an understanding and a willingness to help me cope with this cruel condition…I felt empowered!   I decided to use my skills and knowledge as a filmmaker and storyteller, to explore a little known world that affects many people and has debilitating effects on their lives.

My Approach and Goals

While doing research for this film, I heard from people who are experiencing intolerable pain … families that are torn apart and live like prisoners in their own home … as well as lives filled with solitude, depression and suicidal thoughts.  I will go directly to the source; the people who are living with misophonia and capture true family and relationship dynamics.  In addition to in-depth interviews, we will incorporate cinematic montages that convey what a person with misophonia sees and feels when they are confronted by triggers and while other filmmakers and news outlets have included the obvious triggers…I plan on making a film that I can watch myself, without having to turn away in disgust.  First and foremost, I want to raise awareness; in the hopes that sufferers will find understanding, patience and support in their own homes…but I also want people who are suffering from misophonia to realize, that they are not alone...that in and of itself, is powerful.  When a film can evoke and engage, that is the true measure of it’s success…that is my goal.

Why Support Our Film?

I asked several misophonia groups on Facebook, if they felt a documentary on the subject would be of value to the community and I was met with an unbelievable response: over 500 FB likes and well over 500 comments in 24 hours…some of the responses are below.  This only fueled my desire to set the wheels in motion to produce a compelling, emotional and thought provoking film that would help not only misophonia sufferers and their families, but possibly help people who didn’t even realize they had it.  The misophonia groups have a vested interested in seeing “Quiet Please…” become a reality, but I also feel the film could offer something for those not afflicted.  Since starting pre-production of the film and spreading the word, many people have reacted with “yeah, I hate that sound too” or, “I can’t go to the movies due to sound of popcorn crunching and wrappers rustling, but I didn’t know it was a real condition and that there were others”.  This is how awareness begins and I sincerely believe this film could take it to the next level.

How you can help…

“Quiet Please…” has attracted attention on a national level; with over 30 misophonia sufferers and their families participating in the project, as well as respected doctors, writers, and clinicians from the fields of Neurology, Psychology, and Audiology. Currently, we have plans to shoot in the following states: Arizona, Missouri, Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Virginia, New York, and New Jersey.  If the funding exceeds our goals and expectations, then we will add more locations (California is on our wish list), participants, screenings and festivals. 

The funds raised in this campaign will go for travel expenses to reach all of the amazing people who are willing to share their stories and lives, as well as to include some medical professionals who can share their insight and experiences with misophonia.   The talented people who are eagerly awaiting the start of this project, believe in this project to the point, that they have agreed to work for greatly reduced fees…but I would like to keep them well-fed, so that they're happy and both productive and creative.  Although our crew is small, we still have very high production values, which we want to maintain from city to city and that means renting equipment that is not air travel friendly.  When we are local, Action Media has all the equipment to handle the job in our mobile media van.  

In addition to travel and crew fees, the money raised will go to crowd-funding perks (and there's something for everyone), campaign promotion, publicity (this is all about awareness) and post-production costs such as sound design, DVD Packaging & Duplication, as well as film festival submissions (and we plan on submitting “Quiet Please…” to a lot of festivals in 2016).  All production and post-production costs besides those listed above, are being donated by my production company, Action Media Productions, LLC and my time is 100% donated and committed to the fruition and distribution of this film.  

So if you find this subject as fascinating as I and everyone else that hears about the project, then please support me in making this film, and as I said in the trailer…It could help save a relationship, a family…or a life.