My name is Toby Boehringer. I’m a 26-year-old musician/artist from Cincinnati. In a world that has become increasingly starved for connection, our country, our communities, our households; I want to explore the value of connection. At face value a vow of silence might appear to be the antithesis of connection, but I am challenging that idea. My theory is removing the tongue from daily life will make moments more meaningful, and the communication we can share hold more depth. If this is true or not, we will find out.

When I traveled to India a year ago I met a Swami who didn't speak. I found him interesting and his vow inspiring. Now I plan on doing something similar, in an American way. Spiritual Asceticism has been a desire of mine, but I've never had the courage to go all the way with it. Through some smaller vows over the last 2 months (truth-telling, and celibacy), I find myself inspired and prepared for a bigger commitment.

As I move closer to the moment, it's becoming more obvious that although the project will subject me to personal transformation, the main character of the project is everyone else. Again, I see this testing the dynamics of human connection, which could be very important in a time where we feel so starved for it. Some people have confused this vow as me isolating myself, but I intend to spend more time with others than I would've before the vow. These human relationships throughout could very well end up the main focus of the documentary.

The project:

Starting December 1st, I’ll take a vow of silence for 365 days. No talking, to anyone, for any reason. I will still be able to communicate through writing. I can also laugh and hum. But I will not be speaking words for the full year. If for some reason I slip up a word or two, I don't view that as ruining the project, and I will be transparent if that happens.

DON’T SPEAK is the documentary of the whole journey, the preparation, my first words back, and the reflection after the project ends. Main things it will follow:

How the people closest to me respond, and whether those relationships grow or strain

What it’s like to work, shop, and get through ordinary days without a voice

What I learn about listening, presence, and how people connect when words are taken away

What happens on the spiritual side of things, and how I personally transform

I’ll also write a book about the experience (a project for later), and share parts of the year as it happens through livestreams and short videos.

Why I need your help:

My work depends on my voice. My current day job requires talking, so this year isn’t possible unless I can step away from that. I do plan on making some money through side jobs that allow me to not talk, but to get the project started I need some help. Your support makes the film possible by covering:

Production: camera and audio gear, storage, editing, and music

Living costs during filming: so I can commit fully to the year and the film

Donation fulfillment and fees: GoFundMe and payment processing fees

Distribution: festival submissions and releasing the finished film

$10,000 will go to creating the film

$10,000 will go to living expenses to kickstart the project. (I will later offer a monthly Patreon subscription throughout the project)

What you’re part of:

When you back DON’T SPEAK, you’re not just funding a film. You’re part of the experiment. I will make the commitment, and then we can learn and explore the landscape together.

I don’t know what the end of the year will look like. That’s the beauty. I’d love for you to find out with me.