MAD SONG was cited as “one of the three most promising directing debuts of the year” by The Los Angeles Times, which described the movie as “daring and dazzling.” National Public Radio lauded the film, favorably comparing it to Robert Altman’s early work.

In 2004 David helmed one of five individually directed segments of MAN OF THE YEAR starring the late John Ritter. Ninety-three minutes long, but shot entirely in one night at a palatial, Hollywood estate, the film screened at a recent Slam Dunk Festival in Park City as well as the Pasadena Method Festival where it won major awards.

In 2005, David received an Emmy for his photographic contribution to THE LUCKY MAN, a documentary about one man’s tragic battle with ALS. That same year, he was listed in the Who’s Who of American Teachers.

From 2001 on, David has taught writing and directing in the Film and Video Dept. at Brooks Institute in Ventura. In addition to being senior faculty, he has overseen the school’s film society, programming screenings each week for the past five years.

Born and raised in Iowa, David began creating illustrated stories, comic-book style, as a child. His undergraduate degree is from Marycrest College in Davenport, which he attended on a history scholarship. His other two majors were English and Philosophy.

The director’s interest in cinema began during his third year at Marycrest, when he discovered Blackhawk Films, a company with a vast collection of international titles. Available for purchase in Super 8, he began to buy, thus acquainting himself with the likes of Bunuel, Keaton and many others. Splurging, he bought a 16mm print of Murnau’s “Sunrise” which he still owns.

Adding filmmaking to his list of interests, David applied to the University of Iowa, ultimately receiving a Masters degree in cinema while also studying at its renowned Fiction Writing Workshop. His visualization of Heidegger’s “The Clearing” won him first place in the national Refocus Film Festival.

After winning numerous local and regional awards for shooting and directing commercials in the Midwest, David moved to Los Angeles in the 1980’s. He employed his multiple skills towards a wide variety of documentaries and commercials. He co-directed, shot and edited a music video for Luther Vandross and created the visual design on another for the Beastie Boys. He designed and edited the opening credit sequence for NBC’s QUANTUM LEAP.