Film creator releases sequel to short horror film, The Rage

Joshua Cleave, 43, originally from Gloucester, but now living in Willaston, has worked as a welder from the age of 16.

He began writing scripts, stories, and short films after helping his friend, who was at university, act, and film.

Joshua decided to pursue his love for filmmaking and went to Leeds Metropolitan University to go to film school.

Speaking to the Globe, Joshua said: "One thing they don't tell you at university is how hard it is to get into the industry."

After doing some film work in his spare time, and moving to Liverpool, Joshua met several people in local film groups and began networking and collaborating with them.

Release of short film

Joshua came up with the idea for his short film, The Rage, which was released in 2017.

His wife, Harriet Cleave, starred as one of the lead actresses in the film, and it was filmed from a Go-Pro first-person perspective, telling the story of a bio-scientist who becomes trapped in a testing lab when a deadly Rage virus is accidentally released.

"There was just no budget. I was beginning people to borrow equipment and haz-mat suits," Joshua said.

"We filmed at Biograd in Liverpool, so it was in a proper lab with all of the chemicals.

"We also filmed a scene on the top of the car park and a fight scene of a stairwell in one of my friend's flats.

The short films are full of zombies, blood and fights (Image: Joshua Cleave)

"I just made it for fun, and then it started winning awards and doing so well which made me want to make a sequel."

The sequel

The sequel to the 11-minute short film, The Rage Part II was released in February this year.

Rage Part II tells the story of a chemical scientist, named Will and a small team of soldiers who have been sent to investigate the bio lab where a deadly virus was accidentally released.

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Unknown to them, there are horrors that await them as they uncover the truth behind the terrifying Rage virus.

Rusty Apper stars in the short and Joshua spoke about the process of filming.

Joshua said: "I wanted to make it bigger and more bloody, and more out of control.

"We had no budget again, but we did a crowd funder and raised over £2,000 to help us film part two.

"We filmed at the Hugh Baird College in Bootle, and because they do film courses some of their students did work experience with me, as I knew how hard it was in the industry."

Earlier this month, The Rage Part II, a 41-minute film, won Best Horror, Best Director, Best Sound Design and Best Poster at the Madrid International Movie Awards 2023. 

It has also won the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Madras Film Festival in India and four awards including Best Horror Film and Best Director at the Hollywood Blood Horror Festival.

The film is full of blood and gore (Image: Joshua Cleave)

Joshua added: "The response has been incredible. We had the following of the first film behind us, but I didn't know how it was going to go down as it had been so long since the first film was released.

"Everyone said it was amazing, and are now asking me to make a third one. They want more.

"If I could look back now, I'm so glad I didn't give up. So many times I've thought what's the point but I stuck at it.

"I went in making films for fun, I didn't go in wanting to make money, but it's just gone so brilliantly.

"I'm still a welder, but I find time to film because it's something I love."