If you just reach out your hand, light will find its way to you.
In the darkness
Director and Writer: Ally Ryan
Producer: Nely Valle + Ally Ryan
BTS/ Stills Photographer: Madison Donnelly
In the Darkness is a Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis film shot in the spring of 2025. The director reached out and asked me to produce her thesis, and after reading the script and meeting with her, I immediately said yes. Her passion for the story was so contagious that it pushed me to work even harder to help bring her vision to life. Being part of this project—and seeing the entire crew care so deeply about the film— is something I’ll never forget.
This was also the first set I worked on that was fully built from the ground up. Even though it was a student production, it was an incredibly proud moment for all of us. The experience taught me so much about collaboration, creative problem-solving, and what it takes to guide a story from page to screen.
Camera and G+E crew laughing while setting up a shot
Crew working outside for Day 1 of principle photography
Crew photo on the last day of principle photography
G+E setting up for a dolly shot
Camera and G+E pulling focus for a shot
Liam Brise, the director of photography, operating the camera for a close up.
Nely, the producer, with Sarah Shields, the 1st Assistant Director, and Roman Langford, the script supervisor watching monitor.
Ally, director write and producer, directing David who plays the main character Johnathan