Not long ago, producer James Harris discovered a unique 25-minute horror short on YouTube called The Chair. It was created by an up-and-coming director, Curry Barker. Harris, who often seeks out new talent for Tea Shop Productions, felt this project had real potential. With the right budget, he believed Barker could make a captivating film for theaters.
This belief turned into reality with Obsession, which launched on May 15 and has made waves in Hollywood. It’s already earned an astounding $95.8 million worldwide. In its second weekend, ticket sales rose by 39%, a feat rarely seen in the industry.
The journey began when Focus Features acquired Obsession for $15 million at the Toronto Film Festival last September. Now, independent producers are reaching out to Harris, encouraged that they too can break through the traditional studio barriers. Even established industry players are watching closely, eager to learn from this unexpected success, which features a fresh concept: a young man wishing for his crush’s love.
Harris embodies a spirit of innovation. “Taking a chance on new filmmakers shows there’s a market for fresh voices,” he says. Along with his partner Mark Lane, they’ve been on quite a ride. Their friendship began at university when Harris accidentally punched Lane during a wild Freshers Week. That moment marked the start of their partnership.
Since then, Tea Shop Productions has produced around 40 films, from indie hits to mainstream successes like 47 Meters Down and the upcoming The Surfer. By working mostly outside the traditional studio system, they maintain the freedom to choose their cast and creative direction. Harris explains, “With bigger budgets often come demands from financial backers, which can limit creative choices.”
They keep their team small—just five full-time employees. Yet, they manage every aspect of production, from writing scripts to financing. Their landmark achievement was the 2017 film 47 Meters Down, which grossed over $62 million globally. It was groundbreaking for its low-budget approach to underwater filming.
Following this, their film Fall found success on Netflix and is set for a sequel. Their strategy has been to balance films made for studios with original projects, maintaining a spirit of creativity and quality across all their works.
Harris and Lane are cautious about the industry’s changing landscape. They notice a rise in horror films, with many producers being scooped up by major studios. Yet, they want to focus on creating films that inspire them rather than chasing big budgets. “After a success like Obsession, we have more freedom to be selective with our projects,” Harris says.
As independent filmmakers, they aim to produce movies that stand out, reflecting both creativity and strong storytelling. This approach not only enriches their work but also encourages a new generation of filmmakers to explore unconventional paths. This evolution is vital as the film industry constantly shifts, with audiences seeking fresh and engaging content.
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James Harris,Mark Lane,Obsession,Tea Shop Productions
