Everyone’s got their dealbreakers when it comes to gauging a director’s work. Either way though, the final product speaks for itself, in all instances, and for me, that’s usually the case for how fun it’s been to keep an eye on director Christopher Sheffield.
A few years since he landed on my radar with contract killer thriller, Split Lip, the LA-based independent filmmaker has amassed a worthwhile stack of feature and short duration credits behind the lens, including his latest ten-minute boiler room actioner, Welcome To The Sting, which took center stage in our recent behind-the-scenes coverage of the project.
Dev (James M. Black), a fresh-faced detective, takes his first undercover step into the deadly world of the ‘Price Crime Syndicate’, but he learns the hard way that even Harper (Billy R. Smith), a fellow undercover officer who’s been below the surface for too long, can’t keep him safe. It’s a life or death admission test that will see Dev put to his absolute limits. Will his limit be good enough, or will Harper sell him out to protect his own cover?
The story unfolds in a steady, brisk pace between dialogue, drama and action, allowing all three just enough space to congregate for what plays as a well-rounded prologue for an even larger story brimming with intrigue and brutality. Sheffiled even makes ample use of the camera in the film’s action cinematography with scenes coordinated and choreographed by Smith, which opens the door for some pretty cool and thrilling moments that keep you on the edge of your seat right down to the finish.
Shot in the span of two days back in February and completed up to now, Welcome To The Sting is now online to view and enjoy above, along with a behind the scenes featurette in the player below. Also starring are Eli Godfrey, Devyn Labella and Fernando Marrero. Viewer discretion, as always, is advised.
I like Sheffield. I think I’ll keep him!
