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

David, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you signed with an agent or manager? Why or why not?

I had no clue how anything worked. For some reason, the entertainment industry is so full of people knowing exactly what to do and how it works, but no way to tell you how to practically take those steps. “Get an agent” then you’ll be ok. “Sign with this agency,” “do this to standout,” yada yada yada. It is actually one of the more frustrating things. There is quote that I like that says something along the lines of “if you want to drive a Lamborghini, don’t take advice from someone driving a Toyota.” You think all you have to do is get lucky enough to get picked, and it’s as simple as zero to hero. This is a business just like any other. I figured out a while back that no one would invest in me because, why would they. I was a mediocre actor assuming I could just rise to the occasion if it ever presented itself. Agents for modeling and acting are like venture capitalists. You have to be a profitable business or of really high promise before they’ll ever invest in you. So I started asking myself how can I improve value and get noticed for what I can bring to the table, rather than hoping someone would scoop me up and do the work for me. I read every acting and writing book I could for a year. I took classes, auditioned, networked, followed directors on YouTube and reached out to join their information groups, joined any free class I could to be seen and not want anything from anyone, and really just kept my head down. After a year of focusing on the product (me), I finally was approached. I got noticed through a few commercials, writing submissions, and photoshoots on the modeling side. That is the thing about this business though, no path to success is the same, and you have to create your own.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I always wanted to act, but it wasn’t popular in Mobile, AL where I am from. So I got an Engineering degree and a real estate license and stayed in Mobile. I was doing very well, owned a home with renters, two active incomes, 5 passive, but I was drunk at a bar one night and got to thinking. I said no one wants to read a book titled “Born, Raised, and Stayed in Mobile.” I quit my job and moved to LA. I work in an industry that probably has a million people just like me to replace me, so as to what sets me apart, the line may be blurred. I’ll say my attitude. I’m like water, I will find the cracks. I am more than willing to fulfill any role to achieve a goal. I write, act, and help directors plan shoots. Because it may not be this project but if I am willing to help other people get what they want, eventually it will come around. I am still a baby in the industry. I would describe myself as a good bet for success. I make most of my living modeling and acting, but I do not name a price. I am still doing a lot of free work. I know it’ll come back around because it has already started to. I’m most proud of my attitude and not throwing in the towel at times when my credit cards are maxed out, my mortgage was 3 months late, and I was getting daily calls from collectors and no clue on when the next check came in. It comes in waves and I notice my tops are getting higher, and the lows don’t go as low. As long as the line of best fit has a positive slope, I know I am headed in the right direction.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I mentioned being like water and finding the cracks. I was in engineering school, and I was about to fail a class that was a prerequisite to a bunch of classes. It would’ve set me back a whole year. The professor told me in his office, “look you failed with a 54 on the first test, the second test is on the drop date, I’ll grade yours first and tell you to drop or not.” Second test I got something like a 36. These scores are out of a 100 and maybe even curved. He told me to drop. I sat in his office and looked up and said “no, I am going to figure it out, or the thought of having me again will not be worth failing me.” I met with him every day except Saturdays, never did the math to know what I had to make to pass. I know I didn’t do well enough to mathematically pass, but I was making high 80s, and low 90s. He passed me with a 70 and would avoid me in the hallways from then on. The takeaway was that I realized I am never really helpless. Even with something like a grade, I knew I had up until he typed the final grade in that file to submit to the university to affect the outcome. School was easy after that.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I would say the biggest thing is the assumption that, just because you don’t see the work flashing in front of your face doesn’t mean work isn’t being done. The work being done is very hard to articulate to someone that doesn’t understand, too. Getting work seen, published or even just being hired to do something you love in this industry is literally the cherry on top. The real work is honing your craft, getting it marketable, and the constant maintenance and upkeep to put yourself in positions just to have a slim slim slim chance at being able to showcase your work or be hired. People are people, they have their own lives and doesn’t matter if they’re an iron worker or an agent or casting director. They are not spending their time thinking of you. Lot of work goes into staying in the back of their minds and keeping a comfortable distance at the same time. It’s easy to do though, just treat things like it’s all up to you because it is. I’ve been asked so many times, “you have your fun yet, and are you ready to come home?” Being broke risking my future on this career has been far more fulfilling than the standard college degree career path ever did for me. The risk and the love of the craft makes it entirely worth it. Here I have the opportunity to create something from nothing and it is so fulfilling. So if you know someone pursuing a creative career, or is an entrepreneur, assume you’re only ever aware of the tip of the iceberg and phrase your questions accordingly. Questions can bee very telling about your actual interpretation of how well they may be doing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: David_eves

Image Credits
Britt Carpenter- Profile Frank Louise Carolina Parra Dorthy Shi