We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Steven Sims. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Steven below.

Steven, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

My television and film career started at a young age. I was always filming things as a kid in the 90s and had a deep passion for creating visual art and video projects. After college (in 2007) I moved to Los Angeles from Pittsburgh to pursue a career in television and film. I arrived in LA with the skills that I learned working as an Assistant Editor and Camera Operator in Pittsburgh throughout college. These were valuable skills, but nothing would compare to what I was about to learn in LA. Moving to Los Angeles and being part of the entertainment industry was a game changer. It allowed me to stretch my wings and fly to levels I never thought I would reach. Along the way I grew within my craft, learning on each job and gaining experience from every project. During my 15 years in Los Angeles, I never stopped wanting to learn, which I felt was the most essential skill I could have – the ability to want to know more about your craft.

I sometimes wonder if there were ways to speed up the learning process. Part of me thought for a while that moving to LA four years earlier, at 19 vs 23, would have been beneficial. More time to figure things out is always a plus, however being in a large and active city at such a young age could have been dangerous.

For most of my career, obstacles rarely stood in my way. I’ve been very fortunate to have had a career that, although at times felt wrong, was most certainly the right path. To be honest, for me my biggest obstacle has always been myself. Thinking or assuming that I was on the wrong path continued to get in my way many times in my career and time in Los Angeles.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I spent 15 years in Los Angeles and New York, working as a television producer, actor, on-camera host, and network executive. With experience in both broadcast television and digital content, I have had an interesting career both in front of and behind the camera.

After graduating from Robert Morris University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media Production, I relocated to Los Angeles where he worked as a producer, actor, and digital content creator. In 2022 I moved back to my hometown of Pittsburgh where I started SIMS TV Productions, a production and media company, which offers production and producing services.

Since college, I have created and produced several narrative projects, including Destroying Jonah Hill, which landed me the lead role in the parody film, The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It. As an actor, I have also appeared in the Netflix film A Futile and Stupid Gesture while being featured in various digital series and comedy shorts.

As a producer, I have produced multiple television series and documentaries for various networks including NBC, HBO, Bravo, and VH1. I was also featured as an on-camera producer for the Emmy-nominated Facebook series Returning The Favor with Mike Rowe. While additional television credits include American Ninja Warrior, Million Dollar Listing, and Candidly Nicole, I have also produced documentaries for HBO and the princess of pop, Britney Spears.

After 13 years of producing and performing, I became the first VP of WOW Presents Plus, overseeing production and programming for the official streaming service of World of Wonder and RuPaul’s Drag Race. I was the network executive for several series while with WOW Presents Plus, including Painted with Raven, Vanjie: 24 Hours of Love, and the Frock Destroyers: Frockumentary.

Now with over 15 years of production experience, I have started my own full-service production company offering a variety of services as well as a multi-talented work-for-hire producer. If you have video production needs, are in need of a producer, or just want to laugh, then SIMS TV Productions can help you.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes. I want to make a feature-length narrative film. My goal and dream since a young age was to make movies. I have been fortunate enough to have produced broadcast television, work on a variety of documentaries, and act in various projects but I have yet to make a feature film. Not a day goes by that I don’t dream of making this goal a reality. And I will. Someday.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2008 I was Jonah Hill’s stand-in on Funny People. It was the greatest job a 25-year-old could have. Then Jonah fired me. It was devastating and I never thought I would bounce back from it. I did bounce back and go on to have an amazing career as a performer and producer. For more on my Jonah Hill look-a-like days visit mylifeasacelebritylookalike.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.simstvproductions.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simstvprod/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/simstvprod
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simstvprod/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg1xJTtI7LVV9ox9SdCJDXQ
• Other: Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPqNlNrTog4 Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/celeblookalikepod

Image Credits
Head Shots by Natasha Leii Photography – natashaleiiphotography.mypixieset.com