Bio
David May is an American reality TV contestant on the filmmaking reality show On The Lot.
David's On The Lot Q&A:
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Hometown: Aurora, CO
Occupation: Admissions Counsellor
Age: 24
Why am I here?
I'm here to prove that dreams come true and miracles are possible.
A quick tour of my life
I was born in Aurora, Colorado, and grew up making videos. I promised myself that I would make movies for the rest of my life and I always hoped that, someday, moviemaking would transition from a hobby to an occupation.
I graduated Cum Laude from Chapman University's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts and received a BFA in Film and Television, with an emphasis in writing and directing, and a Minor in communications. I now work in Chapman's Admission office and continue to study films in the Dodge College's MA program.
I still make short films whenever I get a chance, but it takes time and money to do it. Those are two things I don't have an abundance of so, unfortunately, I can't do it as often as I want to. I'm excited by the possibilities of this show... after all...I want to dream for a living, too!
Describe yourself in one sentence...
I'm short, dark, and (moderately) handsome.
Your theme song?
"Teddy Bear" – Elvis
First movie you ever saw?
"Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day" was the first movie I ever saw and I loved it do death. When it was over, I would rewind it and watched it again immediately. I also liked "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!" The first movies to make real impressions on me were "The Secret of NIMH" and "Gray Lady Down."
Favourite line from a movie?
"As you wish," the Princess Bride (1987)
What made you want to be a filmmaker?
I have always enjoyed telling stories. To me, film is the most effective way to tell stories exactly the way I'd want to tell them.
Beyond describing to people what happens, film allows us to be incredibly specific with the details that would otherwise be left out; details like setting, what the light looked like, what the characters look like, what the characters are feeling, etcetera. It's sort of like describing a painting to someone versus simply taking them to the gallery to look at it.
When you make a film what do you want the audience to leave with?
It's really the same goal that any storyteller has; we tell stories sometimes to make people feel a particular emotion; laughter, terror, or love, for example.
We also tell stories to get our point across about something we feel passionately about, or sometimes just to encourage folks to think about various issues.
Then there are the 'shameless entertainment films,' and I typically enjoy them the most. In any case, I'd want the audience to leave liking the story that we told and hopefully be excited enough about it to try and re-tell it to their friends.
When I'm behind the camera...
I feel like myself. I feel like that is where my unique attributes are best utilized. In other words, (I know it's corny, but it's true) I think it's where I was born to be.
What do you think it will be like working with other Directors?
I've always worked with other directors. The group of friends that I met at Chapman University has stuck together since graduation. We continue to make short films even though most of the group graduated from Chapman three years ago.
When one of us directs, the others step into other roles to make the current project happen. I hope that my experience working with other Directors On The Lot is also pleasant.
Movie that best encapsulates who you are?
That's a hard one...either "Teen Wolf" or "Anything Else" by Woody Allen...maybe even Prefontaine?
While On The Lot you have a week to make a film every week. What's the biggest challenge?
I fully expect the biggest challenge will be to figure out how to survive week after week on an average of 47 minutes of sleep per night.
When you get the power, how will you use it?
As a Film buff, I can't help but be reminded of the classic line from Spiderman, "With great power comes great responsibility." Outside of filmmaking, I've been involved in College Admission for a number of years and am an enormous advocate for higher education.
Unfortunately, the average cost of college tuition increases at a rate of about 8% every year, nearly twice that of general inflation. If given the opportunity, I'd love to create a scholarship fund that aids deserving students with low estimated family contributions to find the resources to afford the college or university that best suits their needs.
What's more important talent or ego?
Talent is definitely the more important of the two. In fact, it is my belief that ego more frequently stifles talent's ability to work.
David's favourites:
FILMS
Back to the Future Trilogy, Shawshank Redemption, Annie Hall, Aladdin (Disney)
DIRECTORS
Robert Zemeckis, Stephen Spielberg, Tim Burton
PRODUCERS
Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett. After all, they're giving us the opportunity of a lifetime.
WRITERS
Woody Allen, Josh Snyder
ACTORS
Michael J. Fox, Ian McKellen, Bruce Willis
ACTRESSES
Charlize Theron, Diane Keaton, and Jennifer Love Hewitt was my High School celebrity crush
SOUNDTRACKS
Mars Attacks, Beetlejuice, Hook, Dragon Heart, Pirates of the Caribbean