Christopher Sims has developed a reputation for being a raw and unrefined new talent. He began his work in the Orange County hardcore punk scene, touring with his friends' bands and making rock documentaries. One by one, bands began to approach him for compelling, authentic representations of their art form. From projects for emerging stars Anberlin to platinum selling artists like Queens of the Stone Age and Jimmy Eat World, Sims has quickly advanced in the film world.

In high school, Sims was most dedicated to his photo class, where he'd spend hours in the darkroom perfecting print. While pursuing higher education, he grappled with his prescribed role in the "real world;" a college degree, a nine-to-five and a white picket fence. On virtually no budget, he filmed a full-length feature loosely based on his experiences, about a group of suburban youngsters living in direct opposition to society's rules on how to "make it." Further manifesting his ideals, he refused to take a single film class and turned down numerous job offers from production companies. Instead, he gained notoriety as a driven rookie filmmaker while quickly moving on to larger budget music videos and films.

Christopher's directorial debut was for the band Eighteen Visions. Being a long time friend of the band gave him a comfortable advantage. He chose to shoot the entire video in High Definition, an extremely new format at the time. Choosing to shoot HD gave him the room in the exceptionally small budget to shoot a music video that rivaled the look of the bigger budget videos of the time. Since then Sims and his cinematographer Jessica Young choose to shoot traditional film because of its beautiful inconsistencies and celluloid imperfections.

Starting as an editor for 4 years before moving on to directing gave Sims the advantage and creative sensibility to create and shoot material for the edit. He is known to edit all of his music videos. Recognized by the juxtaposed arrangement and perfectly manipulated cuts.

Sims' noteworthy talent for film lies not in his ability to bring his world to the viewer, but the urgency with which he brings the viewer into his world. He's notorious for gripping imagery, composition with a sense of chaos and masterful arrangement in the edit. Favoring stark tones, jilted sequences, perceived light flaws and images that are both jarring and elegant, his work often pervades viewers with emotions they can't help. He works with deviance, obsession and incredible momentum.

With a full appreciation for the digital realm yet a total commitment to the tradition of film and a knack for groundbreaking concepts, director and visionary Christopher Sims will continue a career in his most prized obsession; imagery.

By Alisha Westerman