NYX: Did you know from a young age that you wanted to work in the film industry?
JR: Definitely. I started out acting as a kid and loved performing. But as I got older I realized I was more drawn to storytelling than being on stage. Over time I naturally shifted to wanting to be behind the camera and found my real passion there, as well as on the page. And that’s how I landed here.
NYX: Are you a fan of the horror genre?
JR: I’ve always been one, even if at times I didn’t know it. Growing up, I actually had a complicated relationship with fear. I loved exploring it through books and TV shows like Goosebumps, but I always needed a certain sense of safety in order to fall asleep at night. Then one day my parents let me watch Paranormal Activity 3 (I was 12) … and that movie did not make me feel safe at all. I hated the feeling of being that scared, but for some reason I was still drawn to it. It’s hard to explain, but there was something addictive about fear that I wanted to keep exploring, and over time I learned to love it. Now, I’m constantly seeking out anything that can genuinely scare me. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does… it’s amazing — and horrible, haha.
NYX: Where did the idea for Parasomnia come from?
JR: For me, the most effective horror comes from taking something that feels safe and stripping that safety away. For a lot of people, including myself, safety = control. I started thinking about sleep because it’s the one time we fully surrender control. Not only are we vulnerable to the waking world, but we’re also at the mercy of our subconscious. Anything we try to suppress when we’re awake, especially pain, often finds its way into our dreams. I wanted to explore that idea: what if the protagonist’s pain didn’t just haunt her in her night terrors, what if the night terrors were the cause of her pain? Out of that intersection, a new kind of monster was born.
NYX: This is a great slow-burner, which allows each character to fully develop as the tension rises, was this hard to achieve?
JR: Very hard. There are multiple versions of this story where I had different characters as the protagonist. I realized early on that it wasn’t enough to explore this concept through just one perspective. Each character needed their own space to develop and engage with the horror. The real challenge was finding a way to weave all those threads together so it felt seamless, giving the audience clear rules to follow without making the story overly complicated.
NYX: Did you write it with a cast in mind?
JR: I knew I wanted an all-black principal cast, but I didn’t write with any specific actors in mind.
NYX: How did they react to some of the more sinister scenes?
JR: Haha, they loved it. I had such a great cast, they were all game for the carnage.
NYX: They all give emotional and heartfelt performances; did they have much time to rehearse?
JR: Not as much time as we all would’ve preferred. We were on a very, very tight schedule and had to shoot around actor availability. Not their fault of course, but nevertheless, they absolutely crushed it.
NYX: Was it all shot on location and if so, what challenges did that create?
JR: About 90% of the film was shot on location in North Florida… in the middle of summer. So, yeah… we dealt with surprise storms, crazy humidity, bugs, and even frogs that decided to sing while we were rolling. But we made it work. Fortunately, the locals were really excited to have a movie shooting in their town, so the locations were very accommodating.
NYX: This is your debut feature, were you nervous the first day in set?
JR: I went into the shoot feeling pretty prepared, so I wasn’t too nervous. The real challenge hit during those first couple of days when attrition set in. It had been a while since I’d done 13-hour days, especially ones that stretched deep into the night. You can’t really prepare for that level of mental and physical exhaustion until you’re in it, you just have to find a system that works. For me, that system was an iced tea before call, a Celsius when I got to set, and another after lunch. I wouldn’t recommend anyone do that… but it got the job done.
NYX: What lessons in directing did you learn which you’ll use in your next feature?
JR: Sometimes less is more, in every facet—from camera moves, to giving adjustments to actors, to sound design and score. I definitely overthought some choices that didn’t need it, but I don’t regret any of them. It’s all part of the journey.
NYX: The effects are subtle and very “real” looking, did they take time to get right?
JR: Oh, absolutely. There was one specific scene we had to get right. If that scene didn’t work, the whole movie would fall apart. It was very stunt-heavy and relied on practical effects, so we dedicated an entire day just to nailing that moment. Whether we pulled it off… I guess we’ll find out when the film screens.
NYX: What lessons in directing did you learn whilst in production?
JR: The vibe on set always starts with the director. No matter what’s happening outside of set, or even internally, you have to have the emotional intelligence to compartmentalize and take care of your crew. For me, that meant making sure everyone felt safe, respected, and in good spirits. When the crew’s morale is high, they’re motivated to do their best work. And good work is what gets you a premiere at FrightFest!
NYX: Do you believe in demons or the paranormal at all?
JR: Yes, and it scares the crap out of me. You will never EVER catch me near a Ouija board or anything/anyone that tries to contact the metaphysical. I make horror movies, I would not want to be in one... especially considering what usually happens to black people in them.
NYX: Will you be nervous when the movie has its world premiere at FrightFest 2025?
JR: Definitely.
NYX: So, what are you working on at the moment?
JR: I just finished a new original script that I’m getting ready to take out to studios. Genre wise, its part body horror, part erotic thriller, and part teen comedy. Easily my most personal project to date. Super excited to get going on that one.
NYX: James Ross II, thank you very much.
JR: Thank you for the interview. These were great questions!
