Taxi’s Stephen Lance writes new psychological thriller ‘The Second’ – airing now on Stan

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Stephen_Lance (1).jpgTaxi director, Stephen Lance (left), has taken on a different role as writer, co-producer and second unit director in his latest feature film, The Second.

Australian acting veterans, Rachael Blake (Lantana, Sleeping Beauty, Breath), Susie Porter (Hounds Of Love, Two Hands, Little Fish) and Vince Colosimo (Lantana, Chopper, The Great Gatsby) make up a formidable cast ensemble.

The Second is the first project developed and produced under Screen Queensland Originals program in partnership with Stan, with its $1 million budget fully-funded. Lance wrote the screenplay for the psychological thriller, then co-produced. Lance’s partner, Mairi Cameron, directed the film. It is her first feature film as a director.

Says Lance: “The idea for The Second comes from my long-time collaboration with Mairi Cameron. We both share the same love of mysteries and thrillers, and strong, complicated and messy female characters.”

The film explores an author’s success following the release of her celebrated erotic memoir is threatened when her best friend and muse reveals the truth behind the memoir’s provenance, igniting an incendiary tale of sex, lies and betrayal.

Stephen_Lance_2.jpgSays Lance: “As the writer, producer and second unit director, I can see lots of my creative DNA in the film. Plus, my strong collaboration and relationship with Mairi means we share an incredible creative consensus. We basically have very similar taste, which helps when you work so closely together.”Stephen_Lance_3.jpg

The film lives in Lance’s natural domain. As a director, he is known for his emotive commercials and music videos. His aesthetic is vivid and “a bit left of centre”, according to Taxi, who signed him on the strength of his “bold and beautifully brave” music video work for Silverchair, Powderfinger, Megan Washington Eskimo Joe, John Butler Trio, Little Birdy and Sarah Blasko, and his maverick creative background, with which Lance has injected difference into commercials for brands such as Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, LG, Dell, Nestle, and Lux.

Says Lance: “The visual precision of commercials and music videos have really informed my narrative style. I can see how I’ve developed and matured through my commercials and music videos, and films. I love bold, dynamic photography, but always with an eye for truth.

“There are different levels of truth-telling in commercials, music videos and feature films, but I’m always striving for some kind of beautiful truth. I don’t see any point in making art that isn’t both beautiful and truthful.”

Lance is currently in post on a campaign he has just finished overseas via Taxi, with ex Miss Universe Pia Alonzo. Meanwhile, he has also received funding for his next film, an

adaptation of an American bestseller, The Secret Lives of Dresses , which he will co-direct with Cameron.

The Second was released on Stan July 20.

View Lance’s reel here: https://taxifilm.tv/director/stephen-lance/.