"Press on and To Yourself be True"
From Echoes of Summer Sin to Wrexham's Hidden Premiere and a Seat at the Table"
Reflecting on the summer before I moved to Cardiff for university, Echoes of Summer Sin feels like the spark that set everything in motion. Shot in the heart of Wrexham, North Wales, this was my first film as a director. At the time, I could never have imagined that this small project would set me on a path to where I am today. If you'd told me then that I'd still be working in the film industry all these years later, I wouldn't have believed you.
The film’s concept was inspired by shows like Skins, aiming to capture the chaotic energy of a house party gone wrong. I was surrounded by a fantastic group of friends from both the media and performing arts courses at college, many of whom were part of the cast. It was a true collaborative effort, and shooting it felt like one big adventure. We shot the film in the grand house of one of our cast members—what a location it was! Her family were incredibly generous, offering us their space with warmth and kindness. Even now, I’m still amazed they allowed us to stay there to bring our story to life.
The film was made on a shoestring budget of £1,000—half of which I saved myself and the other half raised with the help of the small production company assisting me. Looking back, it's hard to believe we pulled off a whole film for that amount, especially considering how ambitious it felt at the time. Beyond the cast and crew, Echoes of Summer Sinwouldn’t have been what it was without the support of local businesses in Wrexham. From bars to the pub where I worked at the time, their generosity allowed us to create something far beyond what our resources should have allowed.
Of course, I have to mention Leighton Cox, the talented cinematographer I had the pleasure of working with on this project. Leighton has since gone on to win an Emmy for his incredible work on Welcome to Wrexham, which is a remarkable achievement for someone from our little corner of the world. It’s been amazing to collaborate again with Leighton, most recently on the music video for Chester-based band Loco Ono. Even back then, his passion and dedication were clear, and it's inspiring to see how far his journey has taken him.
Shooting the film was an experience I’ll never forget. We used the Sony Z1 camera, which now feels like ancient technology, but at the time, it was the perfect tool for the job. We shot everything on DV tape, giving the film a raw, gritty feel. After we wrapped, we edited the footage in Wrexham with a few close friends, piecing everything together before the big premiere.
That premiere was one of the most surreal moments of my life. We had a red carpet screening at the Eagles Meadow Odeon Cinema in Wrexham, which had just opened its doors at the time. We took over a sold-out 200-seater screen, pushing The Time Traveler’s Wife off the schedule, no less! Having Heart FM come down to interview the cast and give the event a touch of glamour was the icing on the cake. It was an unforgettable night, and I’ll always be grateful that my grandparents could attend and see the hard work pay off. And while Welcome to Wrexham might suggest Ryan Reynolds' film was the first worldwide premiere in Wrexham... I like to think Echoes of Summer Sin gave him a run for his money—even if his was a comedy blockbuster and mine was a low budget summer passion project!
The event itself was more than just a screening—it was a chance for the production company that helped bring the film to life to showcase their own work. They also screened a TV pilot they had worked on independently. It was at this screening that Roger Burnell from BBC Wales, who’s involved in the It’s My Shout filmmaking scene in South Wales, came to check out the film. That event was a moment that solidified my passion for filmmaking and gave me the drive to pursue a career in this unpredictable industry.
Following the success of Echoes of Summer Sin, I moved to Cardiff to start my university degree. But the journey didn’t stop there. A random encounter led me to a local 5-a-side football team, where I met someone who worked with Skillset. After chatting about my film, I handed him a DVD copy, and within a week, he offered me the opportunity to create a behind-the-scenes documentary for Skillset’s short film project. The project involved performing arts students from some of the best acting schools in the UK, and I had the privilege of documenting their journey.
One of the most unforgettable moments from that time was meeting the legendary actor John Hurt. With a career spanning decades, BAFTA wins, Oscar nominations, and roles in films like The Elephant Man, Alien, and Harry Potter, he was nothing short of acting royalty. As part of the documentary, I was given a 15-minute slot to interview him. Nervous but determined, I approached him beforehand to ask if he wanted to review the questions in advance—but he simply smiled and said he was happy to go with the flow on the day.
When the time came, I found myself operating a shoulder-mounted camera while asking him my three questions—a surreal experience for a young filmmaker. One of the questions I asked was if he had any advice for aspiring actors. His response was as poetic as you’d expect, quoting Noel Coward and sharing how he once met him and had a copy of his book Pretty Polly signed with the message "Press on." John agreed that those two words were the best advice anyone could give, adding, "Press on... and to yourself be true."
Later that evening, after the Q&A event, I approached him at the drinks reception to thank him for his time. While chatting with him and his wife, he casually asked if I was attending the dinner afterward. In a moment of youthful overconfidence, I cheekily gave him a wink and a nudge, suggesting he might put in a good word for me. As I glanced at his wife to gauge if she found my humour amusing, I realised he'd vanished—and I was convinced I'd ruined any chance of attending. But five minutes later, he returned and simply said, "You're in."
I spent that night surrounded by aspiring actors discussing their upcoming auditions, feeling like an imposter—until John Hurt leaned across from his table, waved, and asked how my meal was. That simple gesture made me feel like I belonged. His kindness and humility left an impression on me that still resonates to this day.
Looking back at Echoes of Summer Sin, I’m still amazed by how far it took me. From a simple idea for a film to red carpet premieres, to meeting John Hurt, it’s a testament to the power of collaboration, determination, and a little bit of luck. Making that film was a decision that has shaped my career in ways I could never have imagined. It’s proof that sometimes, instead of waiting for the world to offer you something, you create it yourself—and with the right people by your side, anything is possible.
Here's to pressing on, staying true, and seeing where the journey takes us next.
