James Harris is a 21 year old film maker from Bristol who is currently in his final year studying Creative Media Practice at Bath Spa University. It would appear that James has unlocked the secret of bending space and time, either that or he just might be one of the most productive young skate filmers in the UK today. As well as well received scene vids he has created commercial edits for Fabric Skateboards, Etnies and Venture and then there’s the small matter of filming and editing two entries for Sidewalks Big Push for Shiner distribution. We spoke to this dark time lord about his latest edit “The Extension Of Self” amongst other things…
How long have you been making films?
Well, I first dabbled with film making when i was about 14/15, I used to film all of my friends and we made a few dvds for ourselves, kind of a half-yearly thing… and from there I took film classes and went from there.
What are filming and editing with?
Currently using a panasonic hvx200 and editing with Final Cut 7 at the moment.
Have you made any films not focussed on skating?
On all of the major film courses I’ve taken, I try to produce non-skate films. so in my foundation degree in media production I produced a film about waiting and the passing of time, it was more of an experimental ‘arty’ short film. At university so far, my major pieces (in my eyes) are a short film about split personality, a documentary on a record label and another short film/drama piece, again revolving around similar themes of split personality/depression/family troubles.
Tell us about “Extension Of Self”
Extension Of Self was basically an idea i had as soon as i had finished my first bristol ‘scene’ video “Prism”. The idea was to spend about a year on a project and make it an online video, as I was still filming on DV cameras back then and making the change to HD… I decided to put that together with the DV footage I had left after “Prism” and the HD footage that I have so far decided not to put towards my next DVD production, which will be entirely HD.
And you’ve edited Shiners Big Push entry this year?
Yeah I’m pleased with this year’s Big Push, I did the Shiner one last year…but I wasn’t completely happy with it but thats how it goes sometimes.
So what’s next for you?
I’m basically working solidly towards my next dvd release, which I hope to finish within the next year or two. finish my degree, and work on as many projects as possible both skateboarding and none skateboarding.
Any thank you’s?
Well, I guess thanks has to go out to Shiner Distribution, Jerome Loughran, Keen distribution, Pass
Port, Fabric, Etnies, Ryan Gray, Ben Powell, Matt Warnes, the park, Rebecca Shepherd and all my homies in Bristol.
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