Some horrors you create yourself

Interview with Director/Producer/Writer Mia'Kate Russell

Watch Liz Drives here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I was sitting with Sophia Davey having a few glasses of wine, discussing TOMMY one of my completed horror feature scripts that I want her to star in. Frustrated by our limited resources to make it we decided to make a short film with the resources we did have - $10,000 and highly talented film actors and crew. Two weeks later the final draft of LIZ DRIVES was ready for pre-production.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Because it has the culmination of talents that are Sophia Davey and Cassandra Magrath, it is engaging and ultimately surprising. Also if you don't like itit's only 8 minutes, and you can move on quickly.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

The overall theme in LIZ DRIVES would be inherent racism, and on a lesser scale, jealousy. It also looks at how one person's decision can affect many lives.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script story development process was done quite quickly but as a self-confessed privileged white woman, I had no experience in writing a male character of color. I sent the script to actor Christopher Kirby (Predestination, Star Wars, The Matrix) to gauge his interest in the role and also how he perceived my representation of this specific character. Chris loved the script along with the characterization and came on board straight away.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

We only started entering the film festival circuit a few months ago so we have only just started playing to audiences. The amount of festivals we were accepted into around the world is great feedback so far as well as our multiple nominations and wins. I recently received an email from a director who had seen LIZ DRIVES at Genreblast festival who let me know the film had promoted discussion and debate, which is all that I had hoped for.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It’s too early to tell.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We feel honoured that we were contacted directly by We Are Moving Stories, we came into making this short with the view of attracting attention for our future projects, between the producing team we have 4 feature film scripts ready to go.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

The film's message is strong and clear once viewed, we believe it is very topical and has unfortunately become even more topical since its original conception. Once it has finished the festival circuit I believe the online activist community will help spread the message via links to the film and I can see it being used in an educational setting to highlight social prejudice and pre-conceived perceptions. Through our world wide festival play we would welcome invitations by sales agents, distributors and, of course, journalists.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

In an ideal world we would love to make contacts that lead us to developing our future project goals.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

If put on the same cross roads that our lead character Liz Wason - which turn would you have taken?

Would you like to add anything else?

The process that we took for the making of LIZ DRIVES has proven to me that with a passionate vision and a lot of determination, you can achieve your goals.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Mia'Kate Russell has two feature film scripts ready for production. Cassandra Magrath is in final stages of post production for feature 36 QUESTIONS and is starring in Sandra Scriberras up and coming feature film, THE GREEN DOOR. Sophia Davey is currently in development for her feature film, Sweetwater Rd. Tim Egan is having great success with his multi award winning and now viral short film, CURVE

Interview: September 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Liz Drives

SOME HORRORS YOU CREATE YOURSELF

Length: 8minutes

Director: Mia'Kate Russell

Producer: Mia'Kate Russell, Sophia Davey, Cassandra McGrath, Tim Egan

Writer: Mia'Kate Russell

Social media handles:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizdrivesmovie/

Twitter: #lizdrives

Where can I see it in the next month?

New York Horror Film Festival

Atlanta Women in Horror Film Festival

Grimmfest

Film Quest

Mayhem Film Festival