My Creative Journey

My Mission

Through multimedia entertainment, I connect with, touch, inspire, empower, entertain, provide laughter and catharsis, give hope, show new possibilities, excite imaginations, and take people on incredible emotional journeys. I want to make movies that make people feel good.

I want to create timeless entertainment that enriches the world.

Once, a fellow actor asked me why I made movies. “I want to make people feel good,” I said. To me, there’s too much pain, suffering, and darkness in the world. So through my talents and gifts, I want to inspire and uplift others. I want to create multimedia entertainment that makes people laugh, cry (in a good way), feel more connected, and find hope again in life.

I’m all about inspiring and empowering people to live their dreams. I believe laughter is healing and renewing. And I believe that when one person wins or succeeds, we all benefit.

My Journey

Ever since I was a little kid, I always wanted to “make movies” when I grew up. But I lived in a small town on the East Coast, with no money and no industry connections. It seemed like an impossible dream. Still, it never left my heart and kept calling me — and I did what I could, where I was at, with what I had.

Writer

I started by writing fiction, solely for fun for me and my friends, when I was 14 years old. It was just a passion and source of joy and personal fulfillment, until one day I “discovered” that some adults actually did this for a living too! I dreamed of becoming a full-time author and sharing my stories with the world. That dream came true in 2011.

It was awesome.

But after doing it for a while, I began to feel a little lonely and stir crazy working at home alone all the time. I still dreamed of making movies somehow. I wanted to be involved any way I could.

Actor

So I moved to California and started volunteering as a production assistant on student films and no-budget indie projects. In time, I got to hold the boom mic and operate the cameras and do other cool stuff. Then one day they had me fill in for a bit character, just to say a couple of lines. And I was like, “hey, this acting thing’s actually kinda fun.” I wanted to experience more of it, to see if there was anything here for me. On a 48-hour film project competition, I made myself available as an actor, and ended up getting the lead role!

I was so excited. Got only 3 hours of sleep the night before. Worked 15 hours on set all day. AND I LOVED IT! I was physically exhausted, but wanted to keep going. There was definitely something here. I discovered a passion and talent I never knew I had!

After that, I dove into acting full-time. Went on lots of auditions. Got booked on a ton of different stuff. Met so many fun and interesting people. Played a wide variety of fascinating characters. Loved every minute of it. And amazingly, I became eligible to join SAG-AFTRA (the actors union) in just 9 months!

Side note: SAG-AFTRA requires each actor to have a unique name. When I joined the union, my real name (David Michaels) was already taken. Eventually I settled on “Dave Diamond” as my new stage name.

Director

And along the way, now with experience in front of and behind the camera, I began receiving opportunities to direct too. Together with a great team, we created multiple award-winning short films. Then I was hired to direct a 30-episode sketch comedy series. On that and other projects, I learned a lot about producing.

What’s Next

Which leads me to where I am today: still writing, still acting, still directing — but now, also, excited to begin my own film production company. Making my own movies. The very thing I’d been dreaming of all along.

It’s been a long and winding road, full of speed bumps, setbacks, heartbreaks, uncertainty, compromises, sacrifices, and hard work. But for me, it’s been worth it. Following your heart and pursuing your dream is always worth it. Regardless of the outcome.

I don’t know what’ll happen next. But I’m excited to find out!

You Can Do It Too

I’ll be honest. Many times over the years, my dream felt impossible and out of reach. But thankfully, I never gave up. I just kept taking whatever small steps I could in the direction of that dream.

And now I’m living it. I’m actually doing it.

I’m so grateful.

So whatever your dream is, even if it seems impossible, don’t give up. Keep following your heart and doing whatever small steps you can towards it. And one day, you’ll be so glad you did.

“Impossible” just means “I don’t see how, yet”. But there’s a way. So get as close to your dream as you can. Point yourself in the right direction. Explore around. Learn and do what you can. Connect with people who are doing something related to your dream. Just keep going.

It’ll be worth it. At worst, at least you’ll have no regrets. At best, you’ll make so many amazing memories and make the world a better place.

I really do believe we’re all interconnected. When one person wins, we all benefit. I sincerely want you to live your dreams. Whatever it is. Because it’ll add joy and love to you, your friends, and your family. And that will ripple out and help make the world a richer, happier, more beautiful place too. So go for it, my friend.

Fortunately, you don’t have to know “how” it’s all gonna work out — you just need to take the next step, no matter how small, that’s in front of you. After you do, you’ll find the next step and the next, until one day you reach your dream — and then can dream an even bigger one!

Thank you for being here.