Unheard: The Ears of Meniere's Documentary
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Log Line:
Dismissed by many, misunderstood by most—a mysterious, invisible illness is finally brought to light in this visceral investigative documentary.
It's invisible and unknown, chronic and incurable. It's Meniere’s (men-years) Disease, a debilitating vestibular (inner ear) disorder that significantly impairs daily living leaving its victims feeling isolated and abandoned.
With a mission to raise awareness and attract research funding, Unheard: The Ears of Meniere’s examines this devastating illness, giving voice to millions.
The documentary will bring Meniere’s into the public consciousness through personal testimonials from Meniere's Warriors (including author/tech evangelist Guy Kawasaki and famed painter Vincent van Gogh) along with creative camera work and sound design that will simulate its symptoms – violent spinning vertigo, excruciatingly loud tinnitus, distorted and dramatic hearing loss – so the audience directly experiences how physically debilitating the condition can be.
Additionally, medical experts Dr. Sujana Chandrasekhar (Former President of The American Otological Society Council) & Dr. Kevin Peng (The House Institute Foundation) will provide the most up-to-date information on the condition, current research and what still needs to be done.
This all-encompassing overview of Meniere’s will be an extremely intimate, informative and enlightening representation of a devastating medical condition that has remained unheard for far too long.
Awareness = Understanding & Empathy
Our producer-director is a veteran entertainment executive & one of the millions diagnosed with Meniere’s. We have completed two days of filming but need your help to keep the cameras rolling. Your donation will not only help us create an informative and entertaining documentary, but you’ll also help increase awareness of Meniere’s and attract funding for research to find better treatments and a cure.
If you would like to make a TAX-DEDUCTIBLE donation please go to our Fiscal Sponsor page: https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/the-ears-of-meniere-s
Additional information can be found at www.2ndchapterproductions.com / www.earsofmenieres.com.
Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media.
No incentives, goods or services will be provided in exchange for your solicited gift/donation.
Thank you so much for your consideration!
Synopsis:
The room spins violently. The ground vanishes beneath your feet. A relentless buzzing fills your ears as painful pressure builds in your head. It strikes without warning — like a thief in the night, stealing your health. Life changes in an instant. But how? And why?
Ménière’s Disease is a startling secret hiding in plain sight. This chronic, incurable vestibular disorder silently robs thousands of their ability to hear, stand, work, and connect with the world around them — forcing them into lives of isolation and unjust compromise. You can’t see it, and they can’t explain it.
Unheard: The Ears of Ménière’s is a groundbreaking documentary that finally brings this invisible illness into the public eye. The film unravels the mystery of a condition that has quietly afflicted millions of people — from renowned painter Vincent van Gogh and astronaut Alan Shepard to actress Kristin Chenoweth and author Guy Kawasaki — yet remains largely unknown.
Through intimate storytelling, immersive sound design, and disorienting visual effects that simulate symptoms like vertigo and tinnitus, Unheard pulls audiences inside the harrowing experience of those living with Ménière’s. It pieces together a complex medical and social puzzle, examining why awareness and research remain so scarce — and what it will take to change that.
Follow the investigation into a disabling disease that has been unheard for far too long.
Team
Janine McGoldrick - Producer/Director
Janine is a veteran entertainment executive who developed tactical promotional campaigns for film, television and home entertainment. Most notably, as SVP at the independent film company Cohen Media Group (CMG), she led the awards campaign for the Academy Award® winning film The Salesman (Best Foreign Film, 2017). At CMG she worked closely with the CEO, Marketing, Distribution and Acquisitions teams to provide counsel on release schedules, festival campaigns and films targeted for procurement.
Previously, Janine worked at HBO supervising publicity for the Consumer Marketing, Global Licensing and Home Entertainment divisions. A gifted project manager, McGoldrick has worked with numerous studios including Universal Pictures, Artisan Entertainment, Lionsgate, BBC, Hart-Sharp, New Line and the NY International Children’s Film Festival, to help launch some of the most exciting releases in entertainment. She is a member of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys) and NY Women in Film & Television.
Diagnosed with Ménière’s ten years ago, Janine’s is committed to developing a thoughtful and engaging documentary that will inform, entertain and inspire others.
Ruth Ann Harnisch - Executive Producer
Ruth Ann is a powerhouse in the independent film world, with credits on 400+ documentaries and numerous acclaimed narrative features amplifying under-represented voices across the industry.
As a member of Impact Partners, Ruth Ann is one of the producers of the 2018 Academy Award-winning documentary Icarus. She was an EP of Unrest, shortlisted in the same Oscar category. Recent projects include Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, She Runs The World and We Are Pat.
Amanda Niqole White– Co-Producer
Amanda Niqole is a visionary director, writer, producer and post production supervisor with over 17 years of experience in television, film, and media production. Known for her creativity and leadership, she has collaborated with major advertising agencies and production companies, while also developing original content for film and digital platforms.
Amanda’s film credits include Hanging in There, Clout, and her directorial film debut Till Death Do Us Part, which earned her a nomination for Best Director at the Atlanta Women’s Film Festival. She also made her stage directorial debut with the Off-Broadway production of COLORBLIND in 2022, and directed the national tour of the award-winning play SECRETS in 2024.
Adriana Serrato - Director of Photography
Adriana Serrato is a Director of Photography who has worked on feature films, documentaries, music videos and commercials ranging across multiple genres including Children of God, In the Light of the Moon, Murdered and Missing in Montana, and Represent Justice.
Her work has received recognition and excellence awards from the California Film Award, Ouchy Film Awards, Roma Cinema DOC and European Cinematography Award.
Organizer
Janine McGoldrick
Organizer
New York, NY