RIPPLE

Directed by Jacob Norris

RIPPLE | Teaser Trailer | 2025

ABOUT

In the early 1980s, during the height of the AIDS epidemic, Katherine, a compassionate palliative nurse, works tirelessly to care for patients suffering from the devastating disease. Meanwhile, her only son, Daniel, leaves home for the summer to work as a camp counselor, unaware of the societal norms that will soon threaten his own happiness.

When Katherine receives a distressing phone call, she rushes to the camp to find that Daniel has been caught with another male counselor, Andrew. The revelation sparks a mix of emotions within Katherine: fear of AIDS spreading within her own family and concern for her son's well-being. As she struggles to reconcile her feelings, she begins to question her own biases and prejudices.

Through her interactions with Vincent, one of her HIV-positive patients, Katherine starts to see beyond the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding the disease. Vincent's openness and humanity humanize him in her eyes, and she begins to form an unexpected bond with him. As she learns more about his story and struggles, Katherine's fears slowly dissipate, replaced by empathy and compassion.

Meanwhile, Daniel's relationship with Andrew blossoms, and Katherine is faced with a decision; should she intervene or allow her son to experience true happiness?

Ripple started from my intent to tell a story about a mothers unconditional love. From the beginning I knew this was a story to be told from the perspective of a mother. A driving force in telling this was my own coming out experience with my mother and her unscathed attempts to understand me even when she was completely out of her element or didn’t fully understand what things meant. Yet, she kept trying and her love for me was never once doubted. I took all of these attributes and plugged them into my main character, Katherine, who I quickly fell in love with. I knew from the start I didn’t want to tell this story through the lens of religion (we’ve seen that story before), leading me to searching for another reason someone might be skeptical of their child coming out. This led me to a time when the queer community was drowning in misinformation, fear, and hate. The 80s AIDs crisis.

I am writing Ripple at a time where misinformation, hate, and fear still has an impact on marginalized groups. The context of being hurt by these “stereotypes” has changed, the principles of it have not. I aim to show that sometimes all it takes is the desire to understand the unfamiliar. For Katherine her love drives her to take that step towards truly seeing her son. For others a different force might help make that change.

I truly believe that Ripple carries its own unique approach that will resonate in one way or another with everyone that comes across it. I am passionate about telling stories that make audiences feel something. I wholeheartedly believe that there are so many people that Ripple will touch and have that same effect on them that made me fall in love with film; with storytelling.

-Jacob Norris

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Support RIPPLE!

Ripple is more than just a film - it's a powerful exploration of what it means to truly care for one another. By supporting this film, you'll be helping to bring this important story to life and promote a message of love, acceptance, and understanding.

Will you join us in spreading a ripple effect of kindness and compassion? Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to making a difference.

DONATE

"RIPPLE" is fiscally sponsored by the

UTAH FILM CENTER

To make A tax deductible contribution, please emaiL KIM @ Ravenscene Studios for more information.

KIM

Thank you!

MEET THE DIRECTOR

JACOB NORRIS

Growing up in Ephraim, Utah Jacob Norris has been making films for as long as he can remember. All it took was an iPad mini and iMovie to get started. He has always had an awe for the way that movies can so strongly make a person feel a wide range of emotions. Now studying filmmaking at Southern Utah University he hopes to do just that. Going into his senior year, Jacob has been working on his thesis film “Ripple”, a short he hopes grabs viewers and helps them feel what made him fall in love with film in the first place.

RavenScene Studios is proud to present, student filmmaker, Jacob Norris' poignant short narrative film project, Ripple, a powerful and emotional exploration of love, acceptance, and the unyielding bonds of family. Set against the backdrop of the devastating AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, Ripple tells the heart-wrenching story of a mother's struggle to come to terms with her son's sexual identity after witnessing firsthand the tragic consequences of this era's stigma and fear surrounding HIV/AIDS.

Rewards

You'll receive all prior rewards to WHICHEVER tier you purchase!
i.e. Special thanks ($350) also gets T-shirt, photo pack, poster, physical, and digital copy of film!

By making a donation to RavenScene Studios you understand that you are providing financial support to further our project, Ripple. In return, we offer rewards that have insubstantial value. You acknowledge that these rewards are symbolic and not substantial, and you will not receive a tax deduction or any other financial benefit from them. Your donation will be used solely for the purpose of studio, legal, accounting, festival, and production costs as they relate to the creation, completion, promotion, and distribution of Ripple.