“15-year-olds are flocking to people like Andrew Tate because there’s such confusion around what masculinity is or whether it even exists”: Noah Caplan on Stepping Stone

Landing on ITVX just in time for Mental Health Awareness Week is short film Stepping Stone from young director Noah Caplan. Prompted by a traumatic event in his family, Caplan was inspired to write about the impact of mental trauma when he was just 15. The script developed to focus on four different characters as they seek out help, with the aim of highlighting the importance of – and normalising – mental health conversations. 

The Upcoming had a lovely chat with Caplan about the genesis of the project, stemming from his sister’s miraculous recovery after a severe accident, and his desire to contribute to the mental health conversation and raise money for vital resources. Delving into the casting process, Caplan told us how he went about bringing Danny Dyer on-board by any means necessary for a crucial role, reflecting the film’s mission to challenge preconceptions and redefine narratives around mental health.

Sarah Bradbury

Stepping Stone is released on ITVX on 15^th May 2023.

Watch the trailer for Stepping Stone here: