Rain In My Head - 3X WINNER
GENRE: ROMANCE
A deeply intimate and poignant depiction of the lives of Sarah and Marie, two deaf individuals who share a queer relationship.
Best Actor Award (Layne Apffel) | Best Director (Chrissy Marshall) | Best Film | Award at Sony Picture Studios
The Last of Us - A Fan Film
GENRE: DRAMA | PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER | POST-APOCALYPTIC
In the aftermath of Joel's death, Ellie's mission of survival becomes a haunting reflection on grief, mercy, and the cost of carrying on. A short film featuring Layne Alba (Apffel) as Ellie from The Last of Us, exploring the complexities of Ellie's grief in an apocalytic world.
Exhale
GENRE: PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER / ARTHOUSE HORROR
The cigarette as a symbol of control, addiction to the relationship, and the slow destruction of the self–each light and extinguish mirrors a cycle of violence and respite. Each "drag" is a moment of survival, submission, or defiance. The final long breath out. A sign of death, release, orhollow victory.
Films
Rain In My Head - 3X WINNER
GENRE: ROMANCE
A deeply intimate and poignant depiction of the lives of Sarah and Marie, two deaf individuals who share a queer relationship.
Best Actor Award (Layne Apffel) | Best Director (Chrissy Marshall) | Best Film | Award at Sony Picture Studios
See the film on IMDB
The Last of Us - A Fan Film
GENRE: DRAMA | PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER | POST-APOCALYPTIC
In the aftermath of Joel's death, Ellie's mission of survival becomes a haunting reflection on grief, mercy, and the cost of carrying on. A short film featuring Layne Alba (Apffel) as Ellie from The Last of Us, exploring the complexities of Ellie’s grief in an apocalyptic world.
Exhale
GENRE: PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER | ARTHOUSE HORROR
The cigarette as a symbol of control, addiction to the relationship, and the slow destruction of the self—each light and extinguish mirrors a cycle of violence and respite. Each “drag” is a moment of survival, submission, or defiance. The final long breath out. A sigh of death, release, or hollow victory.
About Layne
“'Rain in My Head' was the big winner at the 10th annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, taking honors for best film, director Chrissy Marshall and actor Layne Apffel." –Variety Magazine
WINNER: Best Actor, Easeterseals Disability Film Challenge | International Award
Layne Ryn Alba (Apffel) wins the Best Actor award for her protrayal of a Marie, moving through a relationship with the challenge of different languages while also communicating her struggle with thoughts of suicide. Layne specializes in 'still waters run deep' characters – those whose internal intensity fuels the external flame.
“I’ve worked with [actor] Sophia Morales before, so I already knew that she’s an amazing talent that I wanted in all my films, honestly. And same goes for Layne. They’re both so incredibly talented, and I’ve seen them work in a bunch of different mediums, and they nail it every time."
–Chrissy Marshall, Director
With over 600 films since its inception, the awards were held at the Cary Grant Theater at Sony Studios drawing celebrities like Jameela Jamil and Peter Farrelly. ABILITY Magazine’s George Kaplan interviewed some of the nominees and presenters in attendance on the orange carpet. Sweeping three major categories, “Rain in my Head” took home Best Director for Chrissy Marshall, Best Actor for Layne Apffel and Best Film.
Article | Video Interview | IMDb | Variety Magazine | Film Freeway
How Layne Works
Layne speaks and listens like any hearing person you've met. Her cochlear implant allows her to hold natural conversations, read lips fluently, and advocate for herself on set without missing a beat.
The only difference? She's exceptionally good at clear communication–because she's had to be.
What You'll Notice Working With Layne:
- She prefers text for logistics. Email, script notes, and scheduling? Put it in writing. This means nothing gets lost in translation. Every hearing actor should work this way.
- She nails video calls. In-person is best, but when that isn't possible, for table reads, rehearsals, or creative discussions, a video call with her lip-reading is cleaner than most hearing actors on audio-only. If she has a hearing assistant on the line to catch the 5% the implant misses, the call runs faster than average.
- She is a low-maintenance person. Speak facing her. That's it. Quieter environments help, but she'll simply turn her body toward you–something every good actor should do anyway. If she asks you to repeat something (rare), a patient second take earns her loyalty for the entire production.
- She avoids phone calls. So will you, when you realize how inefficient phone calls are for any complex creative conversation. Text, email, or video–Layne keeps everyone moving forward.
The bottom line for directors: Layne requires no special set protocols, no extra time build into the schedule, and no hand-holding. She requires what every actor should give you: eye contact, patience, and written backup for important details. You'll see how great it is to work with her by lunch on Day One.
Layne's Story is in the Works!
The book will be on pre-order soon. Come back for the latest info and ordering links!
The odds are 0.00000000004%. This kid did it at the age of 21. And this is just the beginning.