Artist Statement:
In 2010 Amanda moved from Toronto to New York City after working as a Writer/Producer at M:30 Communications in Toronto for clients such as Universal Music, creating social media campaigns for musicians and bands including Alexisonfire and writing scripts for "viral videos" for Budweiser. In New York she was hired as the first Social Media intern for Boneau/Bryan-Brown, one of the city's longest running theatrical press offices, capturing behind the scenes moments at broadway rehearsals and press junkets, photo shoots and red carpet openings. Eventually Amanda was hired on as an Executive Account Assistant, aiding Press Agents on PR for Tony Award-winning productions including, "Anything Goes" and "The Importance of Being Earnest" with The Roundabout Theatre Company, as well as the Broadway play, "High" starring Kathleen Turner and Evan Jonigkeit. Amanda eventually landed the position of Senior Graphic Designer in the Integrated Marketing department for W Magazine, designing and writing for the "W Obsessions" paid partnership section of the magazine, and the online blog of the same name covering arts and entertainment in the city. After 5 years in Manhattan wanting to continue her education, Amanda enrolled into Ryerson University in Toronto, graduating with an Honors BA in the Arts and Contemporary Studies program with a major in English and a minor in Film Studies. While in school, Amanda worked as a graphic designer and social media consultant on the feature film, "Carrie Pilby" that had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and digital release on Netflix. Amanda went on to assist Director Susan Johnson on the Netflix feature film, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before". With a newfound love of film she continued on to work on the Netflix series, "The Umbrella Academy", the upcoming "SAW" 2020 feature, and the NBC pilot, "One of Us is Lying". In 2017 Amanda directed two short films —"Call Me Daddy" that had its world premiere at the Official Latino Film Festival, winning "Best Comedy 2018", and its East Coast Premiere at the Women's Film Festival in Philadelphia, PA taking home the award for "Best Narrative Short 2019". Her second short film, "Me Too", debuted at the Toronto Smart Phone Film Festival, winning the Audience Choice Award.