Today we’d like to introduce you to John-robert Sims
Hi John-Robert, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I got into film once I enrolled in Texas Southern University, I chose film because they didn’t offer Architecture and I was already into photography and I really loved watching movies so I thought it was a no brainer. I would spend hours watching the behind the scenes and extra scenes provided on the dvds as a kid and eventually watching on YouTube, wondering how they created these movies. The curiosity as to how the crew members all worked together to create a movie sparked the interest in getting started but Professors like Cliff McBean, John Tucker, Vincent Powell, Bob Willems, Tyrone Dixon and Arthur Murray were what helped me grow in the field. I started in 2019 so I got a semester and two months of the “real” college experience before covid shut everything down and forced us to take online classes. I am more of a hands on learner and film is a hands on field so I didn’t know how to take that at first but after a few weeks of pondering, I decided to finish the rest of my basic courses online so whenever school opened back up, I could just take film classes. I also found a job as a podcast engineer with the Creator’s Guild to hone in on my skills. Once we got back onto campus, the first class I took was Professor Tucker’s Intro to Videography class, I was scared to pick up the camera and record video. I could take pictures all day but my videos were never smooth so I was hesitant but Professor Tucker ensured me that everyone has to start somewhere. In that class, I was able to produce a few projects and even acted for the first time. Professor Willems and Dr. Dixon both inspired me to create my first short film. Professor Willems showed me his first film and it sparked an idea in my head and Dr. Dixon brought me onto my first production where I worked as a Production Assistant, offering the opportunity to learn about all the departments on set and also acting again. Fast forwarding to today, I graduated from Texas Southern University in December and had a goal in mind to get on set again as a Production Assistant to continue to learn all the departments. The first movie I worked on was unpaid but they paired me with this Gaffer that I work with to this day. I’d say I learned a lot on set that school couldn’t teach me but school provided me with a solid network of teachers and peers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say yes, it has been pretty smooth so far. I mean sometimes I still work unpaid gigs because I’m still fresh in the film scene but that’s expected and I don’t have to stress about paying off any major bills like student loans so I’m just along for the ride. Learning day by day and writing my ideas until I feel ready to direct my films and have enough for the budget.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a screenwriter, director, actor and producer. I am most proud of my latest short film “Nightmare on Elgin St.” I’m proud of it because I was able to create something that started in my mind and put it on a screen for people to watch. I’m also proud because this was my first time working with a team and although I was extremely nervous, I stayed confident and the team understood the mission and we all worked together and had fun while achieving it. I think what sets me apart from others is I want to tell stories authentic to life, I want someone to watch my films and realize that could happen to them . Yes some films may not seem like they carry that message but you will have to rewatch it to see what you missed. I also want to be able to provide learning opportunities not only for the students at my alma mater but for new filmmakers all over the world. But we have to start at home.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice to someone just starting out is to not get discouraged. If you see someone in the position that you want to be in, instead of downing yourself, see how you can learn from them. When I graduated, I reached out to about 25 different directors in the Houston area, only 3 responded at first. Some took more convincing but once I stepped on set, I came to work hard and learn something new. If you keep that attitude, people will keep bringing you on to work. I wish someone told me that you can’t make a Netflix production your first go around, I don’t know how many skits or short films, I didn’t post or didn’t even film because of how the quality would have been. Everyone has to start somewhere but that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck there forever.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejohnsims/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hershboystudios
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11839239/
