Hi I’m Blake Shimshock. I run the Multimedia department for Ability Counts.

I’ve been involved in the film industry for almost 20 years. As a kid, I always had a fascination with cameras. I had that one uncle that always had the cool gadgets at his house.

While my cousins and friends were playing, I had a camera stuck to my face. My father was a movie projectionist, so we got to see a lot of movies for free. He would give me the posters of all the sci-fi films.

In 1977 when Star Wars hit theaters, I was blown away. I took writing classes plus introduction to film. Years later, some friends and I met an actor named Reggie Bannister; he’s in those Bmovie Horror films. He invited us to the set of Phantasm 4. I was so excited to be there.

We helped with lighting and equipment. I gravitated towards the camera crew and helped with the camera equipment. I’ve been hooked ever since.

In 2002 I met a few like-minded people and we started a film company. We still work together occasionally. I’ve worked on over 80 short films and features of all genres. I got into directing and directed some short films that aired on CBS and K-CAL 9. I was assistant camera for some Nickelodeon projects. I worked on a Sammy Hagar Public Service Announcement at Ontario Motor Speedway.

Locally, I’ve filmed videos for the City of Riverside and the city of Moreno Valley.

I stay busy doing what I love. It’s also great money.