Although it was not our original intention, after completing early edits of The Veil, it occurred to me that the first minute of the film worked as a story in its own right and could be edited as such to be submitted in festival one minute wonder and super short categories, giving us more chance for success. Thus The Last Goodbye was born!
Synopsis
A widow visits her husband’s grave to say one last goodbye.
The Veil is another collaboration between myself, Nat Pearse and Film Focus Wales. This time I took on greater responsibility, writing (the script) again but also producing and doing camerawork. The film came about as Film Focus were looking for films that tackled issues relating to older people. The first issue that came to mind was death (sorry, old people). It immediately occurred to me that the most clichéd storyline to do would be a character dealing with the loss of someone they loved. Then it occurred to me, what about a story about a character dealing with the loss of someone they hated? I instantly thought of the image that appears at 0:51 (no spoilers) and always wanting to produce scripts that contain striking and original imagery; I knew this was the idea to go with. Again, working with Nat and Film Focus proved a great success and I’ve already got scripts prepared for future collaborations!
I’ve also developed a 30-minute script taking the intro and themes from The Veil that maintains the shock value of the intro but remains more grounded in reality rather than relying on horror movie tropes. It takes the story in a more ambitious direction that I’d never have the budget to realise, but I’m hoping it could be successful in one of the BBC’s Drama Room submissions.
Synopsis
Abi’s resentment towards her dead husband allows an evil spirit to enter her life. A mysterious messenger tries to warn Abi. But can the veil of delusion be lifted, before it’s too late?
My ultimate goal is to become a professional scriptwriter for British film and television (I’ve no major interest in Hollywood as I want to write stories that directly relate to me, but I wouldn’t ignore them if they came calling). Directing and other aspects of filmmaking are of secondary interest to me, so my main focus is on writing. I plan to achieve my ambition with small steps. Since leaving university, I’ve set myself yearly targets (e.g. have a film selected for a festival, have a film win a festival, get selected for It’s My Shout) and each year I’ve achieved my goal. I’m not pursuing my ultimate goal for stardom or riches but because I believe I’m capable of it and wish to fulfil my full potential and also reach as many people as possible, arousing thought and discussion and hopefully inspiring future artists as my heroes have me. Whether I achieve my ultimate goal or not, I won’t stop writing and constantly working as I’m driven by a passion and I’ll continue to document my life experience through my work, have fun and entertain people.
My unproduced scripts are available upon request. Please feel free to email me at jrees256@gmail.com if you are interested in reading one, especially if you would like to produce it or are a prospective employer interested in seeing more of my work.
The Artists
The Artists are a musical duo whose dynamic street performing is sure to propel them to the big time. If their hard work can generate enough pennies to keep them going that is!
2-minute short film Copyright: 19/01/2017
Betrayal
Greg is attending rehearsals for a school play, helmed by the pompous and vindictive drama teacher, Ms Armitage. The play – written by Ms Armitage of course – is titled Betrayal. But it is a series of real-life deceptions that pull Greg into a genuine tale of love, hate and vengeance!
10-minute short film Copyright: 17/02/2018
Bottle
Tim arrives at his best mate Mart’s with a gift of beer, hoping for a game of FIFA. Surely nothing could be more innocent? But secretly, Tim has something to confess…if he’s got the bottle.
10-minute radio play Copyright: 27/05/2014
Connection
Nia is an artistic teen desperate to form a connection. Her art teacher, Mr Owen, seems to be her only hope as her parents show no interest. But when the school bullies find out about Nia’s secret crush, she risks forming a connection she never asked for.
10-minute short film Copyright: 22/03/2018
Doctor Huw
Doctor Huw, the BBC’s flagship show, featuring the titular time-travelling protagonist battling aliens, ably assisted by his trusty companion, Bronwyn. Shot on location in London, England…definitely not Cardiff…honest.
3-minute short film Copyright: 10/01/2019
Duckface
Ava is awaiting the horror of her first day at a new school, but little does she know, her goofy school uniform is the least of her problems, as the school has been taken over by a terrible curse and unless she can hold onto her individuality, it might just take over her too!
10-minute short film Copyright: 19/03/2018
Fart Kid
An embarrassing incident at school leads to Eli being mocked and ostracised by his peers. He is left with a choice: sit out his school life as a figure of derision or set out on a quest to track down a mysterious figure, who may be able to free him from his torment.
10-minute short film Copyright: 07/03/2018
Fish Stew
Alf and Stu have committed the heist of the century and are hiding out in a cottage by the sea, waiting to be whisked away to the south of France. But when their ride is postponed, tensions mount and distrust brews, and if they’re left to stew any longer, they’ll reach boiling point!
20-minute short film Copyright: 02/08/2019
Gaul and Credo
In a primitive post-apocalyptic world that has forgotten about religion, two lowly thieves, Gaul and Credo, are desperate to get ahead in life. With their discovery of an ancient church and the relics held within they think they may have found the means to do it. But will their newfound knowledge bring a new age of prosperity or will playing God bring nothing but trouble?
20-minute short film Copyright: 19/09/2019
The Man Who Would Not Shake Hands (Stephen King Short Story Adaptation)
George meets Henry, a mysterious figure who refuses to shake hands, during a poker game. When Henry leaves the game without his winnings, George sets out to return them to him and also discover the mystery surrounding him. But will his quest bring fortune or nothing but losses?
20-minute short film Copyright: 27/03/2020
Mr Plank’s First Day (Written for the Class Dismissed Series)
It’s the new woodwork teacher Mr Plank’s first day. But will his innovative use of earwax (nature’s glue!) be enough to convince the students he didn’t just get the job because of his name?
2-minute sketch Copyright: 04/05/2017
Nice Guy
Tim is obsessed with Jennifer and does everything for her but gets nothing in return. She sees him as just a nice guy. How can he prove he’s nothing of the sort?
10-minute short film Copyright: 15/10/2015
Odd Customers
Chloe, a cheery shop assistant, is our guide as she details all the odd customers you meet working in retail.
3-minute short film Copyright: 13/03/2019
Odd Hobbies – Episode One – Bird Watching and Golf
Mike, suicidal after the relationship from which he generated his self-worth ended, makes an unexpected connection with John, a selfish OAP with a penchant for destruction, and they set out on a perilous quest for redemption.
30-minute episode (from a planned six-part series) Copyright: 10/11/2018
The Shearing of the Lambs
Byfflo Bill’s disco heyday is long behind him, and in his old age, he’s developed a passion for stalking young girls. But what he wants from his victims might not be what you’re expecting.
3-minute short film Copyright: 10/04/2018
Spit
If there’s one thing Jim hates, it’s spitting in the street. So when Bob accidentally hocks a giant loogie on his shoe, there will have to be consequences.
3-minute short film Copyright: 12/02/2019
Tammy and the Invasion of the Booby Snatchers (Written for the Class Dismissed Series)
Tammy has finally been released from isolation but discovers all the students have been mesmerised by their mirrors. Is it a simple cultural misunderstanding or the start of the invasion of the booby snatchers!
2-minute sketch Copyright: 05/05/2017
The Tart
Elissa’s dream is to be a rock star, and she has the personality and creativity to achieve it but those who should be encouraging her, only suppress her; forcing her into either isolating herself or acting out. But when pushed too far, Elissa makes her final act one to remember.
10-minute short film Copyright: 28/07/2016
Toast
James is an uptight neat-freak, and Mike is a carefree slob with a taste for toast. James is desperate to get Mike to wash the dishes. But will he get the message before he himself is toast!
4-minute short film Copyright: 07/01/2017
Determined to be selected for It’s My Shout 2018, I decided to submit multiple entries; a tactic that had proven successful for Cardiff Mini Film Festival 2017. The brief requested a ten-minute script that would have multiple roles for young actors and a Welsh connection, and I knew that It’s My Shout favoured scripts with a social conscience. Bearing all this in mind, I wrote and submitted six scripts (synopses for others viewable in Unproduced Scripts and scripts available upon request). The tactic again proved successful, and That’s What I ‘Eard was selected to be produced by It’s My Shout and broadcast on the BBC. That’s What I ‘Eard is a comedy-drama that tackles a serious subject matter, please read the script and see how I’ve incorporated It’s My Shout’s criteria; the finished film is available upon request.
Synopsis
Ivor is not the bravest kid, but when he kicks the gang’s ball over the wall of local villain Mr Jones, he has no choice but to form a team to venture into the villain’s lair and retrieve it. A hard enough task on its own but things are made more difficult as tales of Mr Jones’s atrocities unfold and the team gradually falls apart; leaving Ivor to face Mr Jones alone and prove his bravery.
I wrote Marching Orders at the start of 2017 as a contender to be filmed and submitted to Cardiff Mini Film Festival in the One Minute Wonder category. It just missed out on being shot by me but after joining the filmmaking group Film Focus Wales, I offered it to them, and it was taken on by talented, up-and-coming director, Nat Pearse. The film attempts to show how a positive attitude can affect those around you, and a negative one can do just the same. Nat and Film Focus achieved great results, and I’m positive all our future collaborations will be just as successful!
Synopsis
Jim is down on his luck, having been given his marching orders from work. But when inspiration hits him, his outwardly positive attitude starts to affect all those around him.
Achievements: Marching Orders was nominated in the One Minute Wonder category at Cardiff Mini Film Festival 2018.
My latest showreel. Chiefly considering myself a writer, I wished it to highlight my ability to create striking and imaginative visuals, unique situations, concepts and dialogue, as well as displaying impressive camerawork and production values. All the films featured are viewable on my website.
My first TV interview, on The Crunch, discussing my award-winning films and filmmaking in general. Overall, it was a good experience, that’ll hopefully prepare me for many more future TV appearances. The sound was out of sync on the clip from Bob, but it was still an excellent opportunity to promote my work, and I didn’t stumble over my words too much. More details on much of what I discuss, including my aspirations and my films and their development, can be found in the Career Plan and Produced Scripts categories and by exploring the rest of my website.
Here’s a trailer I was employed to produce for Avant Cymru’s theatrical production Killer Cells. Killer Cells is a play about recurrent miscarriage. It manages to capture the pain and trauma of these tragedies with palpable authenticity – the script being based on real-life experience – but it is in no way depressive or negative, ultimately being a story of optimism and resilience. It illustrates the importance of strong friendships and relationships, at times with a lightness and humour, yet this never distracts from the serious subject matter, and crucially, it doesn’t neglect to show things from the man’s perspective; depicting the male experience with equal validity. Killer Cells tackles a taboo subject, rarely discussed in public, with both bravery and sensitivity, creating something uniquely entertaining, informative and moving. I highly recommend you try and catch the play next time it tours, and together we can help #BreakTheSilence.
