We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Lenik. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.
Hi David , thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
My upcoming Christmas themed horror feature film ‘He Sees You When You’re Sleeping’. I wrote the script and starred in one of the lead roles, alongside 1980’s horror movie legends Caroline Williams and Lauren-Marie Taylor. To have my script brought to life and believed in by the producing team was fantastic, it really has been a dream come true project. We filmed it entirely in New York State with the most incredible cast and crew and the final product is something I’m very proud of. I’ve been an actor for many years, but this is my first screenplay to be released. I also had the privilege of writing myself a role, so it’s a project that is so personal to me and something I’m fiercely passionate about. The team involved were such a joy to work with and all worked so hard to create something truly fun, crazy and unique. I’m very excited for the release and for everyone to get to see it!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Acting has been a part of my life since before I can even remember and has remained the sole constant in it. I’ve always been fascinated by films, especially horror and would spend much of my time watching movies. I als0 insisted my parents sign me up to as many Drama clubs as I could when I was a kid, but growing up in a small town in the English Countryside, the options and choices were limited and I felt very trapped not knowing how to pursue my dream. I eventually went to University to study Theatre and Film in Bath and then moved to London when I auditioned and got into Drama school. This is where I was really able to focus on my craft and fully immerse myself into my passion. Since graduating several years ago, I was originally very active in Theatre, appearing in many London theatres and European tours from Shakespeare to period comedies, but early on I found my calling in horror and starred in my first horror movie, which I have focused on ever since, starring in more than a dozen leading and supporting horror feature film roles.
Much like with Acting, writing had always been something I would spend hours and hours doing as a child, but it has only been in the last few years I’ve taken it seriously and have been lucky enough to get my writing developed and made into film.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In the acting world you are constantly rejected and told no, so you really have to develop a thick skin. I’ve had so many no’s and so many ‘nearly got the part’, but as cliche as it sounds, you just have to just keep going. Broadening my horizons to now also writing has opened up so many more doors. I always feel these days I have an element of control over my career, which as freelance creatives can be very hard! Certainly during an array of difficulties in my personal life, focusing on a script has been paramount to keeping me going and has in some ways pushed me even further to create work and get it out there.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
To see your hard work get out there and find an audience. There are so many variables that go into filmmaking that it’s amazing that a lot of things even get made at all. For instance with ‘He Sees You When You’re Sleeping’, it was an idea I’d had for long time and from the initial inception, writing process, finding investors, getting the film greenlit, the troubles of shooting, locations, casting, keeping everything on schedule, coming up against unforeseen obstacles, post production and the eventual release, it can be a tiring journey of doubt, stress and the unknown, So to have a project you put your all into and complete it and get to see it compiled onto a screen, it makes it all worth it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @davidlenik
- Facebook: David Robert Lenik
- Twitter: @DavidRLenik
