These Producers Built a Business Working With First-Time Directors. It Paid Off Big With ‘Obsession’

May 30, 2026 - 04:55

James Harris and Mark Lane, the founders of Tea Shop Productions, have built a reputation on a simple but risky bet: backing first-time directors. That strategy paid off handsomely with the breakout success of "Obsession," a film directed by newcomer Curry Barker. The movie, a tense psychological thriller, has become a sleeper hit, proving that fresh voices can still command audiences in a market dominated by established franchises.

Harris and Lane do not see themselves as gamblers. They describe their approach as a deliberate effort to find raw talent that bigger studios overlook. "We look for a strong vision, not a long resume," Lane said in a recent interview. For Barker, a filmmaker with only short films and music videos to his name, the trust from Tea Shop was crucial. He was given creative control and a modest budget, which he used to craft a lean, character-driven story that critics have praised for its tight pacing and unsettling atmosphere.

The film's performance has exceeded expectations, grossing several times its production cost in its opening weeks. Industry analysts point to strong word-of-mouth and social media buzz, much of it driven by Barker's own online following. For Harris and Lane, the success validates their model. They are already in talks with other first-time directors for upcoming projects. "We are not looking for the safe bet," Harris said. "We are looking for the story that has to be told, and the person who has to tell it."