Brewing Empathy Through Film: An Interview with Gabriel Noble, Writer/Director of A Cup of Tea

In an intimate, candid conversation full of empathy, insight, and mutual understanding, filmmaker Gabriel Noble opens up about the journey behind their debut short film, A Cup of Tea, a layered portrait of grief, community, and the humanity behind headlines. The project, born out of adversity, became not only a personal triumph but also a work that stirs collective reflection on justice and healing.

Recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a Master's in Fine Arts majoring in Film and TV Writing, Gabriel joined the conversation, still recovering from burnout and illness. Yet despite the fatigue, what emerged was a moving discussion about filmmaking as both a creative and emotional act of resilience.

Turning Isolation Into Art

Securing funding for A Cup of Tea was an early and defining challenge. Gabriel turned to the crowdfunding platform Seed & Spark with no prior experience. “I had to do it all on my own from filming the pitch to setting up the campaign page,” they explained. “It was exhausting. Once we launched, it became this constant anxiety. You’re just watching the numbers.”

Although the campaign began strongly, momentum stalled after two weeks. Gabriel was on the verge of giving up when a college friend stepped in with an unexpected act of generosity: a $10,000 donation. “His mom had passed away and left him money,” Gabriel said. “He wanted to use it to support other people’s dreams. Without him, this film wouldn’t have happened.”

The emotional toll didn’t stop at money. “Not a lot of people even knew I wanted to be a filmmaker,” they admitted. “My parents were supportive, but it felt like I was alone most of the time.”

But that very sense of solitude, the emotional and creative weight of feeling unsupported became the thematic bedrock of the film. “The characters are isolated, grieving. That was exactly how I felt at the time. I just leaned into that.”

Directing from the Heart

For Gabriel, A Cup of Tea was more than storytelling; it was soul-bearing. When asked which scene was the hardest to direct, Gabriel pointed to a central moment of confrontation: two parents arguing at a coffee table, consumed by grief over the loss of their child.

“I’ve never lost a child, and I don’t even want kids,” they said. “So how do I direct actors who are parents in real life?”

The answer came in emotional honesty. During two Zoom rehearsals leading up to the shoot, Gabriel asked the actors to reflect on their real lives: once on their happiest moments as parents, then on the hardest. “By the time we got to set, that emotional groundwork was already there. My job was to trust them.”

A Cinematic Eye - Even Before Film School

Though they hadn’t yet begun grad school, Gabriel already had a strong visual sensibility. “I didn’t know about the rule of thirds or traditional framing concepts,” they admitted. “But I’ve always understood how an image can carry emotional weight.”

Cinematographer Rikki Porter played a crucial role in executing that vision. “She got what I was going for, sometimes better than I did,” Gabriel said. “That’s my biggest advice to any filmmaker: find a DP you can talk to, who speaks your language. It’ll change everything.”

One sequence stands out as Gabriel’s favorite: a quietly devastating birthday scene. “It was in the first draft, I knew it had to be the centerpiece,” they said. “The camera slowly pushes in on Shannon’s face as everyone sings. No dialogue. Just her expression.”

They shot the film in a single day, a decision Gabriel now calls “insane.” By the time they reached the birthday scene, everyone was exhausted. “But I needed one more take. I asked the team to trust me. And when we got it, my producer said, ‘That was so cinematic.’ Watching it still gives me chills.”

Do you need film school to make a film? “Absolutely Not,” Gabriel said. “Every film is film school. Making this short taught me everything from managing a set to trusting collaborators.

There were so many pieces of equipment I didn’t understand. I just asked people questions. Watching them operate things with confidence was so educational.”

They laughed, “I think Tarantino said that first. But I live by it.”

A Story Born on the Block

The inspiration for A Cup of Tea came from Gabriel’s neighborhood. “There’s this woman who lives on my block, always sitting quietly on her stoop. She’s not on her phone, not reading just sitting, existing. That image stayed with me.”

In 2022, amidst the lingering trauma of the pandemic and the social unrest following the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Gabriel enrolled in a screenwriting class. The final assignment was to write a 12-page short.

“I kept thinking about the aftermath of the protests,” they said. “What happens to the parents who were thrust into the spotlight? They’re grieving, and suddenly they’re also public figures. That contradiction stayed with me.”

Gabriel, influenced by dialogue-driven films like Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, wrote a piece that thrived on tension and subtext. At first, they weren’t going to direct it. “A mentor told me, ‘This is your story, you have to direct it.’ And I’m so glad I did.”

Evolution and What’s Next

Since completing A Cup of Tea, Gabriel’s perspective on filmmaking has grown. “Grad school expanded how I think about visual storytelling,” they said. “I still love dialogue, but now I’m drawn to darker material, thrillers, mysteries. The next short I’m working on is way different in tone.”

They’re adamant about not being boxed into one genre. “Sidney Lumet is a huge inspiration; he did Dog Day Afternoon, The Wiz, and courtroom dramas. That’s what I want: range.”

Gabriel is already beginning work on their next short film, which will explore gun violence in America. “I'm entering the funding process again,” they said. “So stay tuned.”

Building the World Through Space and Color

Set design played a pivotal role in shaping the emotional tone of A Cup of Tea. Though the team originally searched for locations in Brooklyn, they ultimately shot in Harlem near 125th Street. “I needed a house that felt lived in, something passed down through generations,” Gabriel explained.

The location they found already had depth. “Romina, the homeowner, had so many artifacts and textures in the space. We barely had to dress the set. The melanin, the plants, the warm tones it all just fit.”Color was crucial. “I didn’t want the film to be too dark. It’s about grief, but it’s also about hope. The lighting and palette of warm oranges, greens, and natural textures reflected that balance.”

What Conversations Should A Cup of Tea Spark?

As our conversation wound down, I asked Gabriel what they hope audiences take away from A Cup of Tea, especially in terms of race, justice, and healing.

“I want it to spark conversations about why this keeps happening,” they said. “Approaching the story through a natural, humanistic lens helps audiences see these people, these parents, as more than just headlines. They’re human. They're grieving. And they’re trying to move forward.”

Ultimately, Gabriel hopes the film stands in solidarity with those who've suffered unimaginable loss. “It’s about honoring the victims and the families left behind. I want people to remember that grief doesn’t disappear once the cameras do. And I hope the film helps people keep fighting for justice.”

A Cup of Tea - and a New Chapter

Gabriel may be just beginning their journey, but A Cup of Tea showcases that they are a natural storyteller or something like that.. It’s a mature, resonant film that leaves a lasting impact not only because of what it says, but because of how it says it.

As they prepare to enter a new phase of storytelling, one thing is clear: Gabriel’s voice is one that audiences and the industry should be paying attention to.

A Cup of Tea is now available to stream on Vimeo.

Written by Chloe Kaleah Stewart