Simon West

Born: 1961
Where: Letchworth, UK

Simon began his career in 1981 as an apprentice film editor at the BBC.

Four years later he was awarded a grant from the British Arts Council with which he funded the writing and direction of the short film Dolly Mixtures.

Soon after Simon was signed by the Limelight production company in London, where he directed music videos.

His next project involved a collaboration with director of photography David Tattersall on the star-studded charity video, Life Aid Armenia.

By 1990 Simon was working as an assistant cameraman on The Russia House, and soon moved to the States to work in Limelight's Los Angeles office.

In 1993 he joined Satellite Films where he directed TV adverts for high profile companies such as AT&T, Pepsi, Budweiser and Ford Motor Company.

Simon's feature directorial debut was Con Air in 1997 after which he formed his own company Wychwood Productions.

The second feature directed by Simon was The General's Daughter, starring John Travolta, which was followed by Tomb Raider, based on the popular video game and starring Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft. Simon also served as a producer on Black Hawk Down alongside Jerry Bruckheimer.