Meet David

We were lucky to catch up with David recently and have shared our conversation below.

David, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

In this industry, staying creative can feel daunting, especially in such a fast paced environment. I’ve spent years trying to develop the best habits that can sustain the challenges of deadlines, artist block, and creative personalities. Finding ways to keep my creativity alive has always taken precedence, especially since the creative process has always been the most fulfilling aspect of the film industry.

I keep my creativity alive by working on something new every day, no matter how big or how small it may be. To me, creativity is about showing up consistently, even if I don’t feel inspired. I may not be able to see the progress on a day to day basis, but when I step back and really look at my work as a whole, I can see my creativity not just surviving but evolving. I’ve found that creativity comes in its best form when collaborating with other talent. Talking to other creatives and seeking input helps spark my own creativity, especially when surrounded by some of the most talented and influential people in the world.

I always welcome my inner child when creating. I invite a level of playfulness and whimsical imagination, always maintaining a childlike curiosity that helps generate a constant flow of ideas. I keep my creativity alive by being unafraid of the artistic process and the perception of myself while working through bad ideas. This allows me to be unencumbered by any thought of the creative outcome. I truly believe creativity is a lifestyle, something that I have to consistently nurture and protect as I grow in the ever changing environment of adulthood.

For me, creative inspiration can appear at any moment, usually whenever I least expect it. Dreams play a huge role in my creative process. It’s important for me to capture every scene, moment, image, and feeling, as it helps fuel my creativity and keeps it alive. I keep a dream journal by my bedside table and write down every single thing I can remember, implementing key features into my creative process.

Another way I keep my creativity alive is by being able to recognize my own creative cycles and the time of day I feel most productive. Using that information to my advantage has enabled me to set myself up for success. I’m a night owl you see, so most of my creative ideas come at odd hours of the day. For that reason, I allocate those specific times in my schedule to capitalize for when my creativity strikes most often.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a writer and director based in Hollywood. I’m known for telling stories that fall into that dark, gritty and grounded cinematic world. Hard hitting dramas, crime-thrillers, action-adventures and coming-of-age stories, are all genres I naturally fall into. I tend to create projects that revolve around the universal theme of found family, a cinematic through line that is attached to all of my art in some form.

I grew up on Greek tragedies. They’ve always been a huge influence on my work and just make sense to me and my worldview. I love tragedies, I love heartbreak, I love stories about underdogs and outcasts, tales of rebirth, redemption, and the human struggle of finding belonging in the world. This way of storytelling has aided in amplifying my voice and has allowed me to express myself fully when crafting my own stories.

I’m currently pitching around a feature and am in the middle of developing multiple screenplays and television pilots.

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?

Looking back on my journey, there are certain qualities and skillsets I’ve developed that have made a huge impact on my career as an artist. One of those qualities is being someone who is personable. Keeping my heart open and mind always learning from others has truly changed the way I create and the stories I want to tell.

I’m a creative, so it’s incredibly important to keep myself organized by scheduling out both the business aspect of my days, as well as having a place to highlight my creative deadlines when my attention is in full creative mode. This skillset of maintaining a balanced and highly detailed calendar allows me to structure out my work habits in the most productive way, freeing me up to stay the most creative for as long as possible.

Another quality I’ve developed is the art of saying “yes” whenever the opportunity is presented. It started off as a way to help break myself out of my shell, but it has become second nature to me, embracing growth and committing myself to experiencing life and art to the fullest. Saying “yes” has lead to new opportunities that have helped shape my career in the most unexpected and fruitful ways, giving me the opportunity to meet and work with creatives that have inspired me ever since I was little. Saying “yes” has helped me build long standing friendships and new connections that have influenced not only my work, but the way I view the world. Saying “yes” has also lead me towards some of the most exciting adventures, traveling the world and exploring new environments I wouldn’t otherwise get to do.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

I don’t know if there’s any one singular obstacle that I can point out as the most important to me, but I do know the obstacle I’m consistently working on is trying to build a strong team of collaborators who share the same artistic values as well as a deep love for the craft.

I want to leave a legacy through my art, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and leaving my own unique stamp on the creative landscape. Finding those types of people that share my similar mindset is harder than you think. It’s my belief that if I can connect with like minded artists, we can all accomplish our own individual dreams together.

I’m currently solving this obstacle by building a community that brings every type of creative together. I think, more than ever, we’re all looking for community. Finding a place to belong can be difficult, and if I can help put the missing pieces together, not only does that bridge the gap between artists, but also accomplishes my goal of building and maintaining a strong collaborative team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.david-mazur.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david.c.mazur/?hl=en

Image Credits

Christian Lanza, Lila Seeley, Isaak Morin