That’s a Wrap: The Space Between Us

That’s a wrap on The Space Between Us, the latest short film from Knock & Nash Screen School, in association with Knock & Nash Productions.

Written and directed by Jordan Tweddle, The Space Between Us is an ensemble film exploring grief, love, friendship and the seemingly ordinary encounters that can quietly alter the course of our lives. Across a series of interconnected stories, six characters navigate loss, connection and new beginnings - sometimes with the people they know best, and sometimes with complete strangers.

Alongside our year-round actor training, our annual film project gives performers the opportunity to take the work out of the classroom and put it into practice on a working film set. It’s a chance to make bold work, collaborate with professional creatives and understand not only what happens in front of the camera, but everything that goes into creating what eventually appears on screen.

This year, that collaboration began before a single frame was shot.

The screenplay for The Space Between Us grew out of rehearsal and improvisation with the actors, allowing discoveries made in the room to shape the characters, relationships and stories that eventually made their way into the finished script. During production, cast members also had opportunities to step behind the camera, shadow departments and experience filmmaking from an entirely different perspective.

As Writer and Director Jordan explains:

“Making our annual short film is always one of the highlights of the year at Knock & Nash. There’s something really special about taking the work we explore in classes and putting it into practice on a working film set - but, more than that, it’s about bringing a group of people together to make something from scratch.

For me, that’s what Knock & Nash has always been about: creating the spaces we wish existed, giving artists permission to be ambitious, and proving that you don’t have to wait for an opportunity to arrive - you can build one together.”"

Meet the Cast

At the heart of The Space Between Us are six brilliant performers: Aison Clark as Iko, Nerea Idigoros as Clara, Mark Rogerson as Gary, Alfie Tunney as Eddie, Amy Faye as Rowan, and Jess Crumback-Nyahoe as Niamh.

Reflecting on the experience, Aison Clark said:

“I have enjoyed the whole process of making this film. I really like how we were involved with creating the script as it was written based on our improvisation exercise. I also felt that our roles were based on our strengths, and the scenes we were assigned challenged our ability and capability. Everyone behind the camera was a joy to work with. I also liked working with all the other talented actors. The director gave clear direction during filming, taking reference from what we were taught in previous classes and courses - it was basically on-the-job training. I really look forward to this film, as people both behind and in front of the camera did an amazing job!”

Mark Rogerson said:

“This short film was fantastic. We had time on the first day to rehearse and get to know the other cast members, which helps a lot. As there were multiple storylines, we each had non-filming days where we could help out behind the scenes to give you a different perspective.”

And Amy Faye added:

“Working on The Space Between Us was an absolutely fantastic experience! Development and production was open and comfortable, and I always felt able to ask questions or have input with my character or scenes. “The ability to work both in front of and behind the camera was also brilliant. It really helped me to feel like I had a better understanding of different roles and the scale of the work that goes into a project as a whole, which was incredibly interesting. “A very memorable and treasured week that I’m so grateful to have been a part of.”

Behind the Camera

Behind the camera, Jordan Tweddle wrote and directed the film, with Ellie Rose as Assistant Director, Chris Chapman as Director of Photography and Scott Dixon as Camera Assistant. Tony Park and Ivan Flores handled sound, with Fergus Devlin capturing the week behind the scenes.

Working with a small crew across multiple locations in Newcastle and Gateshead, the production was built around collaboration, adaptability and creating an environment where everyone could do their best work.

It’s exactly the kind of filmmaking we believe in at Knock & Nash: small teams, big ambition and no waiting around for permission.

A Special Shout-Out to Our Supporting Artists

A film world doesn’t feel much like a world without the people living in it.

A huge thank you to the brilliant supporting artists who joined us on The Space Between Us: Sasha Sky, Marissa Walker, Craig Watson, Bill Pickard, Lara Nixon, Chris Wilson, Kellsie Thompson, Donna Paine, Jade O’Brian, Aron Jackman and Nalani Grant-Scott.

We received hundreds of applications to our supporting artist callout, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who put themselves forward - and particularly those who gave their time to join us on set and help bring the world of the film to life.

It Takes a Village (and a Coffee Shop, Charity Shop and Farm)

Independent filmmaking relies on generosity. It relies on people being willing to open a door, move a table, let a film crew descend on their space and, occasionally, trust us when we say, “We promise we’ll put everything back.”

So, an enormous thank you to Olive Coffee on Mistletoe Road, St Oswald’s Hospice Boutique in Jesmond, Stampley Moss Farm in Gateshead and Newcastle City Council for supporting the production and helping us bring The Space Between Us to life.

Every bit of support matters on an independent production, and we don't take any of it for granted.

What’s Next?

The Space Between Us now heads into post-production.

For Knock & Nash Screen School, the project is another reminder of why we continue to make these films. Actor training shouldn’t exist solely within the four walls of a classroom. We want to create opportunities for artists to take risks, make mistakes, discover what they’re capable of and experience the reality of making work alongside other professionals.

And, crucially, we want to keep making things.

New stories. New collaborations. New opportunities.

To everyone who stepped in front of the camera, behind it, or somewhere in the space between: thank you.