Josh Harris
Josh Harris (Media Practice 2014) is a filmmaker. His debut short film One Night Only is a dark drama centred on a pub singer, her brooding daughter and the thuggish pub bouncer who may or may not be the man of her dreams.
Josh's story
Josh came to Sussex in 2014 and after finishing his BA degree, completed an MA in Filmmaking in 2018. In November 2023, One Night Only, which was produced by Harris’ company ZooTime Productions and Jeremy Sheldon’s Silverstone Productions was accepted to the International Film Festival of Wales. The film was later screened as part of the festival programme in December and went on to win four awards, including Best Director, Best Actor (Steve Speirs), Best Actress (Mandy Rose) and Best Cinematography. Filmed in Llandrindod Wells, the film features a mostly Welsh cast and crew and some of Josh’s fellow Sussex alumni.
What was the experience of shooting One Night Only like?
As short films go it was fairly ambitious: we had car scenes, an animal, karaoke scenes – and it’s set at night – all of which bring their own challenges. I wrote the film to future-proof myself, as our first feature will contain many of the same tests. We’re extremely excited to premiere it in Wales and send our little film out on the festival circuit.
The trailer for the film paints an eerie atmosphere, can you tell us a bit more about what the film is about?
Touring pub singer Bex lets her celebrity delusions get in the way of her relationship with her daughter Rhian, who is left to pick up the pieces when faced by the cruel reality of her mother’s lifestyle. It’s a chiller and coded with horror elements but, for me, the heart of the film is really about having a dream and chasing your dream for the right reasons.
Our growing horror-based cinema provides an opportunity for Welsh directors to explore the beautiful melancholy of our home and provide a worldwide message of what modern Wales looks like. I am passionate about continuing this tradition, to use the beauty of my homeland and utilising the talent that Wales has on offer.”
JOSH HARRIS
How important was it for you to represent the growing body of Welsh horror cinema?
Following three world-renowned horror films to come out of Wales (Saint Maud, Censor, and Gwledd), Sinema Cymru* is forming an incredibly exciting and contemporary identity. Our growing horror-based cinema provides an opportunity for Welsh directors to explore the beautiful melancholy of our home, praise our rural eccentricities and provide a worldwide message of what modern Wales looks like. I am passionate about continuing this tradition, to use the beauty of my homeland and utilising the talent that Wales has on offer.
*The Cinema of Wales
On the back of the low loader with Max Day during filming One Night Only
What led you to study at Sussex?
I was destined for a science course at university, with my A-levels pushing me towards a career in forensic science. This sounds a bit melodramatic, but I had an epiphany one night that I was making the wrong decision and I should pursue my progress with filmmaking. I searched for courses and found BA Media Practice at Sussex, which catered for different media disciplines. I picked modules that offered insight into video production and then went on to an MA in Filmmaking.
Make stuff. Use whatever kit you have and experience the joy of creating something. We all have big dreams of where we want to end up but it’s about the journey. If you enjoy the process and you’re improving your skills, then you’re winning.”
JOSH HARRIS
Your fellow Sussex alumni, Callum Germany (Producer), Max Day (1st Assistant Director) and Tim Lea Young (Film Composer) also worked on the film – what was it like collaborating with them?
Networking is half the job. Being a personable human being and knowing your stuff can get you where you want to go. It’s important to find people with the same direction and to cultivate those friendships. Callum, Max and Tim all did amazing work on the film, and I can’t thank them enough for their commitment to the project.
Do you have any top tips for anyone looking to get started in filmmaking?
Make stuff. Use whatever kit you have and experience the joy of creating something. We all have big dreams of where we want to end up but it’s about the journey. If you enjoy the process and you’re improving your skills, then you’re winning.
Are there any experiences from your time at Sussex which have helped you in your career so far?
I remember watching the Soviet film Strike (1925) and I came out of the theatre having truly intellectualised what editing is for the first time. I use montage a lot in my editing style in my dramatic work, so that was a pretty formative experience.
What did you enjoy most about your degree?
Having the freedom to be creative. In university you’ve got assessments, but they’re all what I’d now define as ‘passion projects’. You’ve got a brief, but you can get as creative as you want. The world of freelance videography is full of corporate gigs where you simply deliver a product. It pays bills and funds passion projects like One Night Only, but it can be creatively stifling.
Josh Harris (left) during production of his BA degree film Living Without with Salman Dulloo and Luke Sandifer
Favourite spot on campus?
The now demolished East Slope bar.
What advice would you give yourself if you could go back and start university again?
Do not spend as much money in East Slope bar! Seriously though, be open-minded about the films that you consume. We all have a certain arrogance at that age that makes us feel as if we don’t need to consume some of those early films, and just whip up a Wikipedia report of the film. But in reality, some of those moments are breathtaking. Those practitioners walked so we could run, the techniques they used were revolutionary and you learn so much about filmmaking.
Josh is among thousands of inspiring alumni on Sussex Connect. Join now to seek mentoring and industry advice and get a head start on your career.