The Errand
When a young girl hitchhiking is picked up by a stranger, who ends up taking whom for a ride?
Interview with Director/Producer Amanda Renee Knox
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was drawn to the little girl's tenacity, she sees an issue and she goes out and takes care of it without asking permission. I think that adults don't often realize how much children absorb, and this project explores that. I also really wanted to work with the writer Mira Olsson, producer Lara Aslanian and Nick Ramsey the Cinematographer and this gave us all an opportunity to collaborate.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Because the film is very short, I don't want to give too much away but feel that this film addresses so many things about family dynamics within such a short period of time.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
The universal theme at play here is empowerment, betrayal, family dynamics and morals. Who is right, if anyone, and who is wrong?
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script was about 8 pages and went through a few rewrites but stayed consistent over the time that Mira and I were collaborating.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
My favorite moment was the collective audible gasps from the audience in the sold-out Chinese Theater at Holly Shorts in Los Angeles.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
The feedback and reaction from the audience are so refreshing! You never really know how it's going to land until you see it with a room full of people.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Anytime that the film is elevated the people that created the film are elevated as well. I am always happy when a project I have directed is recognized not only for the story but for the crew that put in a lot of hard work to bring the film to life.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
We are in the middle of our festival run at the moment so anyone who might like to distribute the film on their platform would be great. Additionally, I am happy to talk to anyone who might like to screen it!
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
It would be wonderful to screen in as many places reaching as many audience members as possible! Mira and I set out to tell this story as an entertaining way to spark discussion about children and the way they might fit into their own family dynamic.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
Do you think the little girl (Ellen) was right or wrong in her decision?
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Amanda Renee Knox is directing a feature film about Climate Change, Nick Ramsey and Lara Aslanian just shot a series for RTL in Germany and Mira Olsson wrote a play that is being produced in Finland. Ezekiel Bridges was just cast in a feature film that begins shooting in March 2023.
Interview: February 2023
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. 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
The Errand
When a young girl hitchhiking is picked up by a stranger, who ends up taking whom for a ride?
Length: 11:22
Director: Amanda Renee Knox
Producer: Lara Aslanian
Writer: Mira Olsson
About the writer, director and producer:
An award-winning director whose work has received international recognition, AMANDA RENEE KNOX was recently named one of ten Finalists in the prestigious NBC Universal LAUNCH program for female directors. In 2019, her film, Night Call was in consideration for a Live Action Short Film Academy Award and in 2017 she received a prestigious Student DGA Jury Award. She was selected for the highly competitive Ryan Murphy Half Initiative shadowing 911-Lone Star. In addition to this, she has shadowed Chicago PD and Chicago Med for three episodes providing her with invaluable mentorship for her high-impact thesis film, Night Call. Night Call screened at over 85 festivals worldwide and won 42 awards including the top festival prize at the Academy Qualifying Bermuda International Film Festival where producer Christine Vachon was one of three jurors. Amanda’s desire is to continue to create immersive films that engage audiences both viscerally and intellectually. Nate Kohn, Ebertfest Director, describes her work as “really well made, powerful work”. She is currently working on her first feature which will be set to shoot in 2023. She is represented by RAIN Management.
Before turning to screenwriting and completing the UCLA Screenwriters program, MIRA OLSSON was an award-winning copywriter. Her commercials won gold at Cannes Lions and New York Festivals among other international acclaim. Her work was also covered in Phil Growick’s “My First Time W” – a book featuring top Female Advertising Creatives of the World. Mira aims to create character driven stories with an unexpected and cathartic psychological twist. Mira’s feature screenplay Black Light is currently being considered for development by international production companies.
LARA ASLANIAN is an award-winning director/producer who has been working in the film industry for over 8 years. Her work has given her a strong foothold in the commercial, music video and narrative industries. Her clientele includes Universal Music, The Kennedy Center, Nike, Gibson Guitars, Metro, and Halo Top. She has produced work with artists such as George Lopez, Kristen Chenoweth, David Foster, Todrick Hall, Montana Tucker, Babyface, Jamie Foxx, and Stevie Wonder. Lara has a passion for storytelling and her love for people allows her to thrive within this incredibly collaborative art form.
Key cast: Naya Johnson (Ellen), Ezekiel Bridges (Raymond), Toni Robison-May (Grace), Sean Gallagher (Aaron)
Looking for: journalists, distributors and film festival directors
Facebook: The Errand
Instagram: @theerrandfilm
Hashtags used: #theerrand2022
Website: www.amandareneeknox.com/theerrand
Other: IMDb
Made in association with: Full Gallop Films, Federal Pictures
Funders: Seed and Spark, Fiscally sponsored by Film Independenthttps://www.filmindependent.org/programs/fiscal-sponsorship/the-errand/
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?
Beaufort International Film Festival/ Beaufort, SC - February 23rd
Durango Independent Film Festival/ Durango, CO - March 2nd and 5th
Cinequest/Cinejoy/San Jose, CA - Online and August 2023
Oxford Film Festival/Oxford, MS - March 4th