Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to David Mazur. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

David, appreciate you joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

I think, at some level, all artists are misunderstood. I’ve realized the best way I can communicate my own feelings and emotions has been through my art. Creating a piece of artwork I can hand off to an audience and allow it to speak for me is incredibly liberating. But being that vulnerable can definitely lead some to misunderstand me and my art. That’s a risk all artists must be willing to take.

When creating, a lot can get lost in translation. One experience I remember was when I test screened a horror film in front of a preview audience. After receiving critiques, it was clear that most of the audience didn’t quite understand what I was trying to say. But three people did, and to see them be physically moved by something I created… that moment will always hold a special place in my heart. Because of that moment, I’ve learned that I need to make films for myself. I will always accept every reaction from an audience member, but will never let it deter me from creating the art I want to make. And I guess I’ve reached a point where I’m okay with being misunderstood.

I believe being misunderstood is a badge of honor. And for me, connecting with others who also feel the same way is all part of the artist’s journey. I often find that the best people are the ones who are the most misunderstood. That’s why our community is so special, it finds and accepts other outsiders into its creative family.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a young director and screenwriter based in Hollywood, currently writing my first few feature scripts. Early in my career I was interested in the animation pipeline and trained to be a character concept artist. However, I realized how incredibly solitary an art form it was and instead, I shifted my focus to live-action film so I could work more collaboratively with others. In making that shift, it was interesting to see which animation skills transferred over and which ones didn’t. Being able to draw, as a director, has been an incredibly valuable skill set that has helped me in effectively communicating my ideas when pitching and putting together treatments.

My job as a director is to tell compelling stories that tap into everyday emotional truths. When I’m on set, I want to foster an environment where both talent and crew are able to excel in their craft. I always love working with the very best people in every field and will always promote a collaborative relationship with every single artist I work with.

Visually, I love images that are vivid and striking. But I also like working with a ton of contrast and grit, projects with a darker tone and mood. More than anything, I love the world building aspect of film and coming up with dynamic concepts.

As long as I can find my “why” in a script or project, I can work within any given genre and style. I’m somewhat of a chameleon in that sense. I have a wide array of interests that help me connect with pretty much any narrative that has a strong point of view.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to tell very real stories from the point of view of the outcast, the underdog, and the rejected. I always want to tell authentic stories regardless of the subject matter. My creative journey reflects a lot of my own life experiences. I’m especially drawn to stories that explore found-family. There are so many untold stories and I’m just excited to be a part of this next chapter in Hollywood that is willing to take a chance on them.

My dream is to create moments. I want to be able to sit in a sold-out theater, with the aroma of buttered popcorn in the air, and witness an audience experience a moment of real emotion that started out as a kernel of an idea in my mind. I want to see them leave that space questioning their own ideas and beliefs, opening up a dialogue that will continue long after that moment is over.

What drives my creative process is the need to push myself artistically. I always want to be challenged and push myself to the absolute limit. Everyday I strive to grow both creatively and as a human being.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the self-discovery. Every piece of art is an extension of myself and something that I must confront and question when I put it out into the world. Creating forces me to step out of my comfort zone and really challenge what matters most to me. That ability to tap into ourselves while creating is unique to artists and one that will always be an ongoing process. I think that’s just another reason why film is such an important and powerful medium for the world. It can help heal both the artist as well as the audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: david-mazur.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david.c.mazur/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/user86686915

Image Credits
Lila Seeley, Emma McGrane, Dane Bruhahn