One of the key indie films generating some attention at present is a ride-share noir thriller called FOX HUNT DRIVE. With echoes of Michael Mann’s COLLATERAL, the film focuses on a driver and a passenger who go through a very dark experience over one night.
What sets FOX HUNT DRIVE apart from COLLATERAL is the fact that the Jamie Foxx figure in that film is in the form of Alison Meyers, a trained architect who can only make ends meet as a ride-share driver at night. However, the night is about to reveal some surprising revelations and secrets.
Alison is played by Lizzie Zerebko in one of the most memorable performances of 2020 – and Film and TV Now had the pleasure of speaking with the actress about the film and her experiences working on it.
FILM AND TV NOW: Thanks so much for doing this, Lizzie.
LIZZIE ZEREBKO: Hi John, thank you for having me!
FTVN: This role is a subversive character. Did you base it on anything in particular?
LZ: I definitely listened to a lot of music to get me into the right headspace – surprisingly, Eminem played a big part in getting me ready for my shoot days! As an actor I love to journal in character while I’m preparing for a role, so I spent a lot of time writing about Alison’s life.
I find it really fun to spin off what’s on the page and hear more in the character’s voice. As far as inspirations go, on occasion I’d try to call upon a little bit of Cersei Lannister- I love how subtly she hides her cards while she works to get what she wants.
FTVN: The film reminded me of films like BLOOD SIMPLE and COLLATERAL. How empowering was it to be a character driving a car, a role that is traditionally be reserved for male characters?
LZ: I can’t tell you how excited I was to read this script. The role of Alison demands so much more than what is often asked for from female characters. I was able to call upon parts of myself that I rarely get to access, which made for such a rich shooting experience.
I also got to perform all of my own stunts (minus some awesome stunt driving), and the two nights we spent shooting the action were honestly two of the best, most exciting nights of my life! One night my scene partner was a six-foot Florida alligator, so I can check that off of my bucket list, too! She turned out to be a bit of a diva.
FTVN: What were your first thoughts when you read the script?
LZ: As I read through the script for the first time I felt like I could see the movie- it was a very visceral for me. I was hanging onto every page turn, and I really didn’t predict where it was going!
What I love about this script is that it ends in a very different place than where it begins. That evolution and strength already present in the screenplay was then only enhanced by Drew’s direction and Anthony’s cinematography, and was a very fun foundation to work with.
FTVN: Tell us about your working relationship with the production team and fellow actors.
LZ: I couldn’t have asked for a better team. We very quickly became the three musketeers- Drew Walkup (our director), Michael Olavson (my co-star), and I developed a short hand very quickly, which was essential for working through scenes in a timely manner (like when we were fighting the literal sunrise!).
Drew was wonderful at keeping us sane and focused. Michael and I were always there for each other, and we were always ready with whatever the other person needed. It was pretty amazing to feel supported in a partnership like that. There was definitely an “all in” attitude, which I think is essential for indie projects like this one working with certain limited budgets!
We had such a fantastic, talented crew and I was always impressed with their professionalism and what they were able to pull off. FOX HUNT DRIVE was truly a labor of love for everyone involved.
FTVN: How long did it take to shoot?
LZ: One hellish month to make a movie about one hellish night- haha! Truly, it was almost a full month of night shoots. We all turned into vampires for three to four weeks- even on our days off, it was better to keep the schedule because it made going back to work the next day that much easier.
Most nights I was on set about 7pm to 7am… I would sleep until 3pm, get something to eat, work on scenes, and be ready to go again at 7pm. The grueling schedule certainly speaks to the dedication of the entire cast and crew. Ultimately, I think it only added to the “we’re all in this together” attitude. It was tough, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
FTVN: What roles are you keen to play in the future?
LZ: I’m absolutely drawn to grounded women who know what they bring to the table. I find that to be a really satisfying skin to slip into as an actor. I also would love the reverse of that- a great indie where the character is trying to figure that out and come into themselves. I’m also a such sucker for period pieces and beautiful costumes, so I’m dying to act in a sci-fi/fantasy piece or a fantastic western.
FTVN: Who are your cinematic influences?
LZ: As an actor, I truly look up to women like Jessica Chastain, Cate Blanchett, and Viola Davis- they always bring their guts with them and just- bam- put them out there.
From a film-making standpoint, I drool over stylistic pieces with sumptuous production design (think Baz Luhrmann or Watchmen). I’m also in love with more realistic stories with more ambiguous moral compasses (The Leftovers, in my humble opinion, is absolute peak TV), as well as smaller, moodier indies (Eighth Grade is divine).
FTVN: Do you have ambitions to write and direct in the future?
LZ: Film-making is something I never thought I would have my eye on during college- I was too narrowly focused on being in front of the camera! At this point, I secretly wish that I would have majored in film production.
I’ve been so inspired by complicated, quality shows and films over the last five years or so. I have tremendous amounts to learn, so right now I’m reading books and observing with a different eye, knowing that I would love to be a part of development or creation somewhere down the road.
FTVN: TimesUp and MeToo seem to have been relegated in recent months because of global circumstances. What are your hopes in that context for the future?
LZ: While the Me Too movement might be in the background of current discussions right now, I don’t think it’s going anywhere. The discussion has been started and awareness has been raised. We’re seeing more and more opportunities for female storytelling in the medium- look at production companies like Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine (I LOVED The Morning Show) or Margot Robbie’s all-female screenwriting lab.
SAG-AFTRA just passed new regulations about filming intimate scenes- as an actor, I think that’s such a protective step. While imbalances in the industry won’t change overnight, I think the momentum and the discourse about women in the media has already begun. It’s an exciting time, so let’s all do our part to keep it moving forward!
FTVN: The film is generating buzz on the festival circuit. What has the overall reaction been in your perspective?
LZ: I love talking to people who have actually seen the whole film- they usually have a big smile on their faces, like we’re both in on a secret! I’m hooked on the festival experience and I can’t wait for more film festival opportunities down the road.
What a thing to see our film on the big screen with vocal audience reactions for the first time! There’s such a fun buzz and positive energy, and any new film network connections make the community feel that much more accessible.
FTVN: How has COVID-19 affected you as an actress and creative artist?
LZ: Well, we were actually in the midst of our premiere at the two week Cinequest Film Festival when the remainder of the festival was cancelled and California shut down.
If I’m honest, it was quite a roller coaster to go from the high of our world premiere to hiding away in lock-down mode. It was really hard to feel motivated to do anything related to acting for a few months- it was like I didn’t even want to touch it.
Luckily, I do feel like the industry in LA has a positive outlook right now and things really are coming back. Personally, I am back on the horse and reignited. Getting positive reviews and having fun interviews about the film makes things feel exciting again, too.
FTVN: Finally, what are you most proud of about FOX HUNT DRIVE?
LZ: The most thrilling nights of filming by far were our two stunt nights- Michael and I pulled out all of our previous combat training and the final product is an action sequence that I truly love to watch. While the month didn’t come without some bumps and bruises (literally and figuratively), I learned so very much by leading my first feature- I had to muster a strength and work ethic that had never been tested like that before, and I can’t wait to take all of that into the next one. The very best part is the secret smile that I can share with someone who has seen the whole film- THAT makes me proud and tells me that we did what we set out to do.
Thank you for your very insightful questions!
FTVN: And thank you so, so much, Lizzie for your insightful reflections!
