We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gustavo David. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gustavo below.

Gustavo , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Happiness is a state of mind… I feel happiness when I am part of someone’s art or my own. The process of every creative world that I belong to…makes me feel that (I) exist with the world. So, yes, I am very content with the creative path that I chose.

I don’t see myself doing anything else other than the creative world, even when I was in school, I dislike the everyday-loop schedule, reading what adults tell me to read, doing exams to get grades and then going to eat at a certain time and socialize with random people that you have to establish a relationship with.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an actor/ artist who started my career in Panama when I was 17 years old, doing theater, Shakespeare mostly, then creating many other projects with friends who were directors, AD, photographers, etc.

Everything’s collaboration in this world. Doing the work by yourself, it is important, to feel the need/drive to create your own stuff, but there’s people like you and me who are very passionate too. So, since the beginning, I like to be surrounded by people that are very serious and respectful about their art, craft and vision in this world as an artist.

​You have to be disciplined, be on time, respect people’s time, there’s no excuse to show up late or not showing up, SHOW UP and do the work.

You have to know yourself, and if you don’t, then…GO AND get to know you.

I am very outspoken about my truth and experiences. I think that’s the beauty of being an actor/artist, to bring real things to the table, because if you are hiding your ugly side and imperfections, then no one can relate to you, and the idea of being able to create stuff is 1. For you and you first. 2. To share it with the world that one person can relate with that ugly truth that you create.

As an actor/artist I am now able to bring many things to the table, because I work my a** off to do that, nothing was handed to me, and if it was, it was not for free, so I work on my craft, dancing, modeling, acting, being able to create my own podcast *The Gustavo David Podcast* to interview amazing people who are in a mission in this world to create and share their creation as passionate people, to bring goodness and peace to this small world that we live in.

This year (2023) I’ve been involved in music videos, because I am very passionate about music. Since I was a kid my mom has been kind of a singer, and I say kind of because she never pursued that gift, so…I’ve been trying to be an actor in music videos just to be part of the melody and a story from someone else. I also have some other projects going on with music, but that’s kinda private until it’s not, if you know what I mean.

Fashion is something that I admire and love A LOT. Sometimes I cut my own clothes, sweaters, pants, whatever and sew them and make weird combinations, the part of creating, combining and putting a style on my own (extasis)…It is just another world that I’ve been a little part of this year, promoting and working with little sports brands on my social media. It’s fun, it’s just something that’s there and why not play with it? Everything’s a creation for the creative world.
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Directing and writing is another part of me too. I have A LOT of books and dairies that I write ideas and little scripts, so this year I decided to start making my own short films (directed and acted by me) just because the meaning of every story has a deep meaning and involves just my persona. Also, doing many photoshoots with my own phone and props that I have in my power.

I am just happy to bring myself to the table, to be the person and artist that I am at the same time, being brutally bullied as a kid, and having zero voice, lead me now to have a north in this world, which means to be someones voice, and that person/kid that sees my things that I am part of or I create, feels inspire and fight for their dreams and visions, no one can tell you who you are, and when you been trough darkness, you smell and sense it, so you move to the light and keep that path, f*** what everyone thinks of you, you should care what YOU think of YOU and thats it.

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

I think everyone’s an artist in their own world and career, but when it comes to acting, modeling… the film industry, I think it is hard when you have to miss someone’s birthday, Christmas, New year’s eve, family reunions, my nieces birthday, someone’s wedding ( I was supposed. to attend to a wedding from one of my best friend from school in Spain) but got caught of in work…and so and so. And I am saying all this because the schedules are crazy, spontaneous and the environment very unpredictable, even if you have a call sheet, the next day something happens ( because life) and everything changes, so you have unpredictable scenarios in your work environment. Sometimes that leads you to sacrifice happy-wholesome personal moments.

Sometimes you don’t even have a penny at the moment because you have been working for six months in a row, but THEN, then nothing’s happening and you are just existing but you need to eat, so yeah… I don’t think I have to say anything to my close private friends that are not in this industry, they just understand and don’t resent me in any way. Of course it’s gonna be sad, but there’s things to do. And focus. That’s it.

My advice for family and friends that are not in the film, modeling, acting industry. Be patient. You don’t have to understand, but you do have to know that people who are from this side of the industry love you, but they also have to work just like you.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

To think outside of the box and not make everyone think that your career can only be made in the United States. You have your own career, path and vision.

I am in Los Angeles because I have my own path and vision for my work, but if I have to be back in Panama ( because of something), then I’ll be doing the exact same thing that I am doing in LA. No one and nothing can stop me doing my own stuff, nothing. Take me to Mars and I’ll find a way to create something with the rocks. Don’t define your path in the place or things that you have surrounded… You are the definition of your surroundings, that’s it.

Don’t pigeonhole yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.gustavodavid.com
• Instagram: @gustavodavid__
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GustavoDavid__
• Other: The Gustavo David Podcast: Spotify, amazon, Iheartradio, google podcast, etc. https://open.spotify.com/show/5EITZN2kKKIRTHlOZxAExg?si=108a547666124037

Image Credits
Photoshoot By: Gustavo David Tittle: Frozen by your fears