Meet David Allen

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Allen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

David, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?

Risk is inherent when working for yourself. Each project is a calculation: will this benefit me financially, creatively, or both? If the answer is neither, and it doesn’t involve helping a friend, then the answer is usually no. Creative projects are the highest risk because they oftentimes don’t have the same financial backing as, say, a commercial or corporate project, and have the highest likelihood of something going wrong. If I’m choosing to be away from my family for a creative endeavor it better be for a good reason! I’ve shot several low-funded films that ended in disaster, and the reason I was involved is almost always because I ignored the warning signs. The same goes for projects with solely financial benefits. Is this going to be a soul-sucking corporate project that makes me question my career choice? We’ve all been there, and the best way to avoid these scenarios is being very selective with projects that you take. My ability to take risk developed over the past 13 years as a freelancer because every job you take is a risk. It’s one of the hardest parts of working for yourself, but over time it becomes easier to recognize the risks worth taking.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is David Allen, I’m a cinematographer based in Florida. I was based in Tokyo, Japan for 6 years, which is where I developed the skills needed for my profession. I’m still learning on every job and have a long way to go.

In my career I have shot streaming docs for HBO and Hulu, as well as several short narrative & documentary films which have screened at festivals internationally and taken home awards. My bread and butter is commercials, branded docs, and documentaries. I recently DPed two episodes of the upcoming season of Feds on HBO. Some of my recent clients include Google, Marriott, Expedia, Publix, NFL Films, ESPN, Mazda, and more.

I typically find myself working in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, and Jacksonville, FL. There are some amazing crews working in Florida with whom I’m lucky to work with.

My passion is spending time & traveling with my 2 kiddos and wife.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three most important qualities I maintained on my career are perseverance, thick skin, and originality.

Perseverance because working as a freelancer means lots of ups and downs. Good things come to those who push through the hard times. Not everyone makes it through the troughs but there are rewards for those who do.

Thick skin because rejection is inherent in this industry. Be prepared to hear a lot of no’s and not good enoughs. There will always be 10 people better than you but don’t forget about the 1000 people who wish they were in your position.

Originality because trends come and go, but over time clients and creative partners will recognize the unique skillset that you bring to your body of work, and that is what truly makes you stand out amongst your peers.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

When work is slow and I feel desperate for more work, I start to wonder how the flow of being a freelancer affects my personality. I know for a fact that I’m my most happy when I have a week off but with guaranteed work on the horizon. It allows me to be present with my family and enjoy every moment of my life leading up to work. But on the off chance that I experience a slow month (which is rare these days, thankfully), the self-doubt and depressive moods set in. I start obsessing over how I can network better, how I can improve my website and presence, etc etc etc. It’s in these states of mind that I wonder who is the real me? Is it the busy me who is constantly working and providing and churning away, living a dopamine-fueled existence, or is this just a cover-up for the real me, insecure and depressed without being perpetually occupied with some task? These thoughts creep in and it makes me recognize the highs and lows I experience as a freelancer. Maybe I’m just used to it after doing it for over a decade. Maybe the stakes are higher with a family to feed and a mortgage to pay. I’m not saying there is a resolution for these thoughts but they are worth recognizing and identifying when they come up. Winning projects and receiving deposits is an addiction and vicious cycle, and it’s important to be aware of what they are. I can’t say I have a solution to this just yet, but recognizing these patterns is important and I think a first step towards eventual recovery.

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