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

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

In the dynamic world of the film industry, I believe the power of asking is an indispensable tool that can lead to groundbreaking creative collaborations, innovative storytelling and ultimately a successful career. Directors ask their actors to dig deep and deliver authentic performances, writers ask questions to uncover the heart of a narrative, and producers ask for the resources and support necessary to bring a vision to life. Asking opens doors to fresh perspectives, fosters teamwork, and fuels the imagination. It’s through the simple act of asking that filmmakers can push boundaries, challenge conventions, and ultimately create the unforgettable cinematic experiences that captivate audiences worldwide.

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

Greetings Starfighter! I’m David Yohe, a filmmaker proudly wearing the hats of a Film Director, Writer, and Producer. My life has been a rollercoaster of adventures and passion for storytelling, and I’m here to tell you a bit about myself. So, where do I begin? …..well how about the very beginning. I came into this world with a bang, quite literally, as I was born on the freeways of California. Picture this: a classic orange Camaro racing towards the hospital, and a baby (yours truly) just couldn’t wait to make an entrance. I was almost named “Rinaldi” after the street we exited the freeway onto – a name that would have added a dash of adventure right from the start and I would’ve probably ended up a Race Car Driver instead. So, cheers for safe names like David.
Growing up in the vast expanse of the Mojave desert, I found my first love in movies. I was a dreamer kid, always gazing at the stars in wonder, thanks to my father, who worked in the Aerospace industry on top-secret projects. He instilled in me a belief in the impossible and the curiosity to question everything around me.
But there was more to my childhood than stargazing. I had this incredible obsession with magazines like Fangoria and Starlog. Those glossy pages were my escape into fantastical worlds, and they lit a fire in me that still burns bright.
By my teenage years, I was sneaking onto movie sets that dared to venture into the desert. Films like Terminator 2, From Dusk ‘Til Dawn, etc. The thrill of being on those sets solidified my dream – I wanted to be part of this world forever. So, off I went to California State University Northridge, where I embarked on my filmmaking journey. College life wasn’t just about classes; it was about forging friendships that became my lifelong film family.
There are many ups and downs in the Film Industry and we have had our share of both. It can be brutal at times and we pick each other up when it’s rough. On the flip side, together, we’ve had some incredible cinematic adventures, with our work even catching the eye of the prestigious AMPAS and being OSCAR qualified. More than 80 film festivals worldwide have showcased our creations, and it’s been one heck of a ride.
I’m always pushing myself to grow, both as a storyteller and as a person. Currently, we’re knee-deep in post-production for our first feature film, “THE DEEP DARK,” and once again, I’m doing it with my amazing friends, who are more like family now.
Now, when I’m not knee-deep in scripts and cameras, my life outside the film industry is a joyful mix of dogs, sports, and food. I’m an unabashed dog lover, a sports enthusiast, and a dedicated foodie.
But what sets me apart in the business – my unwavering passion for sharing the magic of filmmaking with everyone. I firmly believe that my ability to communicate and inspire others is what makes me unique in this industry. I love what I do, and I’m acutely aware of how fortunate we are to do it.
In this business, it’s crucial to strike a balance between humility and confidence, and I’ve learned that firsthand. One of the most impactful moments of my life was meeting Danny Glover on the set of Lethal Weapon 3. His words of wisdom still resonate with me to this day: “Dave, we make our life by what we give.” It’s a mantra I live by, a reminder that we can make a difference in someone’s life, and that sometimes, a simple act of reaching out can have a profound impact.
So, there you have it – the colorful tapestry of my life, woven with dreams, films, and a whole lot of heart. Thanks for joining me on this cinematic journey!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe kindness is the key, not just for the Film Industry but in any working environment. It seems too often in our Industry that many have only learned from those prior and unfortunately there has been a long line of abuse and poor working conditions are commonplace.

One thing we strive for and take pride in is only working with respectful people, we foster this environment from day one and is our core value. We are not impervious to the occasional blowup as this is normal human behavior, especially in an industry as fast-paced and as intense is ours, but we have a zero tolerance rule when it comes to how we treat each other. Simple rule for us, don’t work with assholes.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

Well first off, the term non-creatives is kind of gross, ha. I mean most of the work in the Film Industry is non-creative, it’s logistics, management, mentoring, etc. Every job or career has some creative aspects, even corporate work. So, to phrase this a bit differently I would say structured work environments and open-ended work environments.

The real struggle for people who prefer structured work environments “9-5 M-F” is not understanding that an open-ended working environment like the Film Industry is a 24 hour job, sometimes months of nothing, sometimes 6 weeks straight of 16 hour days, true chaos, very little structure. You have to be able to embrace this type of unknown, inconsistent, extreme pressure, chaos driven lifestyle to function and prosper. Most of us go through waves and are completely lost if not on a project, once we are, that chaos becomes a warm blanket and fills our tank. The true test to see if someone is made for this business is to jump in head first and work on a film, short, music video, commercial anything to get a taste and if you come out the other side wanted more, you belong.

This goes for creative work as well, it doesn’t come on a 9-5 M-F, sometimes you are up at 4am after a dream, sometimes deadlines will drive you to madness on set, you must eat, drink, sleep, ideas and solutions constantly, 24 hours a day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @yohebear