Having grown up in the Philippines, Charles brings a nuanced global perspective to his storytelling.

He first discovered his love of filmmaking in the third grade, when he was left behind by the school bus and had to wait in the library. There he chanced upon a book on the craft of filmmaking—and was instantly hooked.

Charles learned filmmaking at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where he earned a reputation as one of the most dynamic editors in his class. Upon graduation, he developed a career in editing—cutting everything from trailers, TV spots, documentaries, and even reality TV. His training in the edit bay sharpened his skills as an exciting storyteller and an efficient problem solver on set, setting the stage for his career as an award-winning director. His work has taken him from the shores of Hawaii to the inner city of Montreal, where he has directed a range of talent—from young kids to seasoned personalities such as NBA superstar Stephen Curry, UFC legend Chuck Liddell, David Hasselhoff, and pop sensation Madison Beer.

His biggest strength is in making small, personal stories feel larger than life.