Say My Name is a feature documentary that highlights female hip hop and R&B artists including Estelle, Erykah Badu, MC Lyte, Rah Digga, Remy Ma, Jean Grae, Roxanne Shanté, Monie Love, amongst others.
In a hip hop and R&B world dominated by men and noted for misogyny, the unstoppable female lyricists of Say My Name speak candidly about class, race, and gender in pursuing their passions as female MCs. This documentary takes viewers on a vibrant tour of urban culture and musical movement, from hip hop’s birthplace in the Bronx, to grime on London’s Eastside, to Philly, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, and L.A., and points in between. I was a camera operator on this documentary.
State of Control is a feature documentary that highlights the Dalai Lama, former political prisoner Gyalston Sandup, celebrated poet/activist Tenzin Tsundue, activist Tenzin Seldon, and Lhamo Tso (wife of political prisoner Dhondup Wangchen).
I co-produced and was a camera operator on State of Control, a feature documentary on Tibet. I was honored to film the Dalai Lama, amongst other luminaries from within the Tibetan diaspora. The film resulted in a collaborative action in Times Square created by our film crew, celebrated poet/activist Tenzin Tsundue, Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders, and the Committee of 100 for Tibet (whose members include Desmond Tutu, Elie Wiesel, Coretta Scott King, Va'clav Havel, Philip Glass, Oliver Stone, Joan Baez, Alice Walker, and Richard Gere). News of our 2012 action broke through the Chinese firewall (China's internet censorship system), and helped highlight the cause of political prisoner Dhondup Wangchen. His wife Lhamo Tso and four children were granted political asylum by the United States in February 2013, and Dhondup Wangchen was released from prison in June 2014. State of Control is now available on several digital platforms, including iTunes, Google Play, Xbox, and Amazon. You can find more information on the Times Square action here.
Stills from Pigeon Spirit
Pigeon Spirit was my first 16mm film, made when I was a student at the New York Film Academy. Its story is an allegorical interpretation of my experience of a kundalini awakening. It celebrates the courageous path of outsiders, acknowledges the ever-present possibility of spontaneous self healing, and is inspired by my love for mambo music and dance. It received a ’Best Cinematography’ award from panel judges including Oscar nominated directors Albert Maysles and Ellen Kuras.
Written, Directed & Edited by: Erika Rand / Actors: Ramon Rodriguez, Chantal Bushelle / Dancers: Judith Sanchez, Jai Catalano, Candy Mena / Director of Photography: Erika Rand / Camera Operators: Erika Rand, Jonathan Cramer, Koen de Jongh / Assistant Camera: Gavin Todd-James / Gaffers: Katie Dainson, Jorge Fried Budnik / Cube Sculpture: Jonathan Cramer / Music: Tito Puente, Jimmy Bosch, Michael Stearns, Chucho Valdez, JAQ
Images from Pangea Day
I was a film curator for Pangea Day, an international day of film led by Oscar-nominated TED prize winner Jehane Noujaim. Pangea Day's goal was to bring together millions of people from around the world, using the power of film to grow compassion and peace. The films were shown in live events in Cairo, Kigali, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, and Rio de Janeiro and broadcast in seven languages to over 60 million people in 156 countries. TEDx was born out of Pangea Day and the open source ethos of the time.
Stills from climate change animation
The Alliance for Climate Education asked Free Range Studios to create films on climate change as part of an educational program for U.S. high schools. I directed and art directed this animated short film, whose assembly programs have educated 25+ million students and trained over 4,000 student leaders. This version is my rough director’s cut.
Director: Erika Rand / Producer: Erica Priggen / Executive Producer: The Alliance for Climate Education / Scriptwriters: Jonah Sachs, Dimitri Ehrlich, Lea Endres / Lead Animator: Ruben de Luna / Anime Animator: Haik Hoisington / 3D Globe Animator: Anderson / Typography Animator: Erika Rand / Editors: Doug Werby, Erika Rand / Art Direction: Erika Rand / Graphic Design: Patrick Walker, Erika Rand / Media Curators: Molly Tsongas, Adam Badgley, Cohen / Music: Philip Glass, Jesse Murphy, Dimitri Ehrlich, Jboogie, Jennifer Johns / Music Supervisors: Jessica Tully, Erika Rand
To get in touch: erika@erikarand.com.
As a director, producer, cinematographer, and art director, I've worked on feature documentaries, art films, animations, and music videos. /// My first 16mm short, an allegorical interpretation of my experience of a kundalini awakening, received a cinematography award from judges including Oscar nominated directors Albert Maysles and Ellen Kuras. /// I served as a film curator for Pangea Day, an international day of film created by Oscar nominated director Jehane Noujaim and TED.com. Pangea Day's goal was to bring people together from around the world, using the power of film to help us see through another’s eyes. It was broadcast live on more than 60 million screens around the world. /// I co-produced and was one of the camera operators on State of Control, a feature documentary on Tibet. I was honored to film the Dalai Lama, amongst other luminaries from within the Tibetan diaspora. The film resulted in a collaborative action in Times Square created by our film crew, poet/activist Tenzin Tsundue, Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders, and the Committee of 100 for Tibet. /// In collaboration with Free Range Studios and Action for the Climate Emergency, I directed and art directed animated shorts on climate change for US high schools. Action for the Climate Emergency assembly programs have educated 25+ million students and trained over 4,000 student leaders.
My film and video clients include Participant Productions, Free Range Studios, Action for the Climate Emergency, Al Gore's Alliance for a New Humanity, Video the Vote, Central Park Summerstage, Grammy nominated rapper Fat Joe, and Grammy nominated Cuban band Tiempo Libre.