Meet Ashley Ralph of Los Angeles / OC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Ralph.

Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up in Southern California, I spent hours filling notebooks with stories and creating imaginary worlds, often while my twin sister stayed up late reading. We shared a room but were opposites in almost every way—even down to our eye color. I was raised by an artist mom and a movie-loving dad, so creativity and storytelling were always part of my world. I just hadn’t realized yet that they would eventually lead me to filmmaking.

My love for film began in third grade when I watched The Wizard of Oz. I was fascinated by the transition from black and white to Technicolor and the magic of seeing a story unfold on screen. My dad and I often made a day of going to the movies, followed by ice cream or dinner and conversations about what we had just watched. Those experiences taught me that film is more than entertainment. It can bring people together, create community, and give a voice to stories that deserve to be heard.

At first, I thought I wanted to pursue acting, but I soon became more interested in what was happening behind the camera. I wanted to understand how stories were built and how every creative decision could shape the way an audience experienced them.

I was introduced to film and animation courses during my junior year of high school. My parents encouraged me to explore my interests, and so did my math teacher, Michelle Dueck, who opened her classroom after school for students to hang out and study. My film professor, Tessa Venizelos, encouraged me to develop my storytelling, while my animation professor, Anthony Nagatsuka, taught me to appreciate the detail and intention behind every frame. One of my favorite experiences was writing, directing, producing, and animating a 2D short film in just one week. It was an early opportunity to discover how much I loved bringing an idea to life.

At the end of my junior year, I received a film award at our school’s awards ceremony. I had always been encouraged to pursue my creative interests, but I especially wanted my dad to know how seriously I took them. When I first expressed an interest in film, he helped me realize that it wasn’t the industry itself I loved, but storytelling. I was heartbroken when he couldn’t attend the ceremony because he was under the weather, so my mom recorded it for him, giving us a moment we could later share together. That memory has stayed with me because the person who first introduced me to the magic of movies was also the person who helped me understand why I wanted to make them.

During my senior year, I was diagnosed with Long COVID. I was balancing an overwhelming amount of doctor appointments, classes, athletics, and leadership roles in student council and a public service and outreach club. It was a challenging time, especially when three faculty members told me I would fail in my career and in life. Their words were discouraging, but they also became a turning point. I realized I didn’t want other people’s expectations to determine what I could accomplish. From there, I dove into my writing and animation, and the support of my family and teachers helped me keep moving forward and helped my dad find the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Moving across the country meant leaving my twin sister behind, but I was ready to take that leap. Over my four years in Savannah, I grew both personally and creatively; I began discovering who I was as an individual. During my first two years, I spent much of my time watching, learning, making mistakes, and trying again on and off set. I began writing, directing, and producing my own short films, taking every opportunity to learn from the people around me.

One of the most influential people I met at SCAD was Nelli Safina. She became one of my closest friends and later brought me on as her second assistant camera. Beyond our friendship, she introduced me to a deeper appreciation for cinematography and visual storytelling. Nelli went on to serve as the cinematographer on my senior thesis film, Listen Linda, while Juan Lizárraga became a close creative collaborator, and served as the film’s best boy electric onset. I also want to mention my supervising professor, Lubomir Kocka who guided me throughout the process, believed in the project, and continually challenged myself to create the most beautiful film possible. Their support and collaboration encouraged me to take creative risks and push the film further than I ever imagined.

Listen Linda is a coming-of-age later-in-life dramedy about 60-year-old twin sisters navigating the unexpected journey of starting over. When Patty (Catherine Curtin) leaves a 32-year marriage to begin a new chapter in Florida, her outspoken sister Linda (Alison Law) joins her on a road trip south before they part ways. Written, directed, cast, and produced by me, the film celebrates women whose stories are too often overlooked on screen and reminds us that coming-of-age stories have no age limit. Inspired by my grandmother and twin sister, the film became a love letter to the women who raised me, teaching me to dream big, take risks, and never give up—a message woven throughout the film itself. I’m incredibly grateful to my crew for embracing those same values and helping turn our vision into reality. Together, we opened doors to opportunities we once only dreamed of, from working with Catherine Curtin, Alison Law, and established musicians to filming with a process trailer.

Throughout my journey so far, I’ve been introduced to new projects, genres, and people who have challenged me to grow both creatively and personally. Now that I’ve graduated and returned to Los Angeles, I’m continuing to learn, take risks, and find my voice as a filmmaker. As my mom likes to say, I’m now getting my “second education” through life itself. I’m drawn to authentic stories that allow people to feel seen, understood, and connected on screen. I’ve always loved the idea that a story can bring people together, and that’s what I hope to continue doing through my work.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I can agree there has been character building bumps on the road. During my senior year of high school, I was diagnosed with Long COVID while balancing doctor appointments, classes, athletics, and leadership roles. Around that time, three faculty members told me they believed I would fail in my career and in life. Although discouraging, their words became a turning point. I realized I couldn’t let other people’s expectations define what I was capable of achieving, so I continued pouring my energy into writing, animation, and filmmaking with the support of my family and teachers.

Another challenge was leaving Southern California and moving across the country to attend SCAD in Savannah. Having grown up as a twin, I had never really known who I was outside of that relationship. My sister was the person who knew me better than almost anyone, sometimes even better than I knew myself. When I first arrived in Savannah, I felt incredibly alone without the person I had shared nearly every part of my life with. For the first time, I had to discover who I was independently: what I liked, what I didn’t, what mattered to me, and how I wanted to represent myself to the world. It was both uncomfortable and liberating. Over four years, I learned through trial and error, made mistakes, took creative risks, and gradually developed my own identity, both personally and as a filmmaker.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve always been drawn to the stories that make us feel a little less alone. I’m an emerging writer, director, and producer based in Los Angeles, passionate about bringing authentic, character-driven stories to life. I love exploring the complexities of human relationships, identity, and the unexpected moments that shape who we become. Whether through narrative filmmaking, animation, or visual storytelling, I’m interested in creating films that make people laugh, cry, reflect, and see a little bit of themselves on screen.

One of the projects I am most proud of is my senior thesis film, Listen Linda, a coming-of-age dramedy about 60-year-old twin sisters navigating change, independence, and new beginnings. Written, directed, and produced by me, the film reflects my belief that coming-of-age stories have no age limit and that it’s never too late to rediscover yourself. Inspired by my grandmother and my own relationship with my twin sister, it was especially meaningful to bring a story celebrating women, sisterhood, and self-discovery to the screen. What I believe sets me apart is my curiosity, willingness to take creative risks, and the personal perspective I bring to storytelling. I love finding meaning in everyday moments and exploring perspectives that might otherwise be overlooked. As I continue building my career, I hope to create films that entertain while fostering connection, challenging expectations, and allowing audiences to feel seen on screen.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the incredible people who have believed in me, encouraged me, and helped me find my way. My parents and twin sister have been my biggest supporters from the beginning. My mom, an artist, encouraged me to embrace my creativity, while my dad introduced me to the magic of movies and helped me realize that storytelling was what I truly loved. My twin sister has also been by my side through every chapter of my life. She’s been my constant cheerleader, biggest confidant, and someone I can always count on, whether I’m celebrating a milestone or navigating a difficult moment. Even when we were separated by thousands of miles during college, her encouragement never wavered. I’m also grateful to the teachers who introduced me to various aspects of storytelling, especially Michelle Dueck, Tessa Venizelos, Anthony Nagatsuka, and Lubomir Kocka who each played a meaningful role in nurturing my creativity and encouraging me to grow as a storyteller.

One of the most influential people I met at SCAD was Nelli Safina. She became one of my closest friends and later brought me on as her second assistant camera. Beyond our friendship, she introduced me to a deeper appreciation for cinematography and visual storytelling. Nelli went on to serve as the cinematographer on my senior thesis film, Listen Linda, while Juan Lizárraga became a close creative collaborator, and served as the film’s best boy electric onset. Their support and collaboration encouraged me to take creative risks and push the film further than I ever imagined. I’m incredibly grateful to them, our entire cast and crew, and the talented actors Catherine Curtin and Alison Law for believing in the film and helping bring our vision to life. Along with the entire cast and crew of Listen Linda.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashleyralph.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleylralph/
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/ashley-ralph-
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ashleylralph