We recently connected with David Tilstra and have shared our conversation below.

David, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My parents always encouraged me and my brothers to be creative. When I graduated high school and said I wanted to become a filmmaker, they didn’t laugh, they didn’t try to convince me to do something else, they just said “How can we help.”

It took me years to realize what a gift that was, having the support of your family when you journey down a creative path is one of the most valuable things you can have. I will always be grateful for the support they showed me when I started.

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 background and context?

My name is David Tilstra, and I am a filmmaker, voice actor, actual play performer, and actual play producer, I went to school in Chattanooga Tennessee for filmmaking. In 2015, I moved from Orlando FL, to Los Angeles CA, to become a filmmaker, and in 2017, I started producing DnD actual play podcasts, and youtube content.

I still work in the film industry as an editor, but my passion is in Actual Play! I am the co creator of a group called StoryQuest, we produce TTRPG shows, that focus on heartwarming, comedic and cinematic stories that take place in bite sized packages. As well as making Youtube content, we also perform around Los Angeles at different comedy clubs (Westside Comedy, and The Elysian Theatre), as well as all around the country at different conventions, including San Diego Comic Con, Wondercon, Gen Con, and Magic con!

Myself and our whole crew come from an improv background, so all our shows, focus on comedy.

We are just a rag tag group of filmmakers, improvisers, storytellers, and friends, just trying to make a few folks laugh, while taking them on unforgettable adventurers.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

That’s easy, the people I get to work with! I love working with people! I love the community and friendships that come from being an artist and creative! There is nothing better in life than telling stories with the people you love and trust.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

My mom said something to me when I first moved to LA, and then again when I decided to focus more on TTRPG content creation. She said “You are choosing a very lonely path, that most people are not going to understand, don’t let their judgment knock you off your path.”

That has stuck with me, because it has been so true. Being a filmmaker is understandable to most people. Movies make sense, but trying to make money playing Dungeons and Dragons, that one is a harder pill to swallow. I mean most people don’t even know what DnD is let alone how you can make a living off of it!

But what my mom said really stuck with me. I had to learn to block out the comments, and eye rolls. Because if you love something, and believe in yourself, it doesn’t matter what other people say or think, if you love it, chase it!

That is the thing I think most non creatives have struggled to understand. That I want to do something for the pure sake of doing it, and with full understanding that it might not ever lead to anything, but I love this game and I love this community, and I love the stories me and my friends tell. That is more than enough for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://davidtilstra.com
• Instagram: davidtilstra
• Twitter: @davidtilstra
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@StoryQuestShow
• Other: Here is the linktree to StoryQuest!

  https://linktr.ee/storyquestshowofficial

Image Credits

Clay Kinson, Melanie Wick-Benavides