Today we’d like to introduce you to David Fisher. Them and their team share their story with us below:
David has served as a Producer and Director at studios such as E Entertainment, BET Networks and OWN for two decades. As CEO of Fisherthoughts Productions he successfully created television shows, commercials, music videos and films; with his feature film CALL ME KING receiving an American domestic theatrical release and was acquired by Netflix for distribution. David is currently the founder and CEO for his technology APP, Rateline (Uber for Production Crews). Recently learning how to write programming code, David is using his experience in production and integrated marketing to provide an SaaS-enabled marketplace for qualified production professionals to identify and acquire opportunities consistent with their experience and designated location both domestically and internationally at www.rate-line.com.
Originally from the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, from a family of preachers and business owners which allowed David to attend prestigious parochial and private schools around the country. At the age of 11, David was accepted to the King Drew Science Academy where he aspired to be a Nuero-Surgeon, but David also had a gift for public speaking which gardened him his first Television on KTLA’s early morning weekend broadcast.
David’s father declined opportunities for child acting/auditions, preferring instead to celebrate David’s future as doctor. As a South Los Angeles Native, David always heard the detailed accounts of the under-belly and politics of the Hollywood Entertainment machine and never considered pursuing production as a career.
However, while studying Pre-Med at Tuskegee University. David was elected as Student Government Freshman class president. A position that would lead to him writing a proposal for TUTV, the first student-run television station approved by president Dr. Benjamin F. Payton. As Black Republican, Dr. Payton was responsible for giving David his first opportunity as a creative. David went on to win the best student film at the 2003 Independent Atlanta Film festival, followed by an internship at BET back in Los Angeles and within 16 months David was producing a half-hour special on newcomer Chris Brown.
After years of producing and directing, David’s YouTube series Mixed was Copyright Infringed upon and David represented himself as Pro Se Plaintiff, getting the defendants to request a settlement in 2022.
The ordeal motivated David to the create his APP Rate-line.com, helping Studios, networks, and independent productions find trusted, qualified, and available production professionals worldwide.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road by contemporary educational standards. By choosing entertainment as opposed to pursuing medicine, I was forced to complete the following outside the financial security of a 9 to 5 job.
– Self-taught writer, director and producer.
– Independently self-funding YouTube Series and feature films for Netflix.
– Representing myself in Federal Court for Copyright Infringement.
– Launching an independently funded APP internationally.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have served as a writer, producer and Director at studios such as E Entertainment, BET Networks and OWN for two decades. As CEO of Fisherthoughts Productions I successfully created television shows, commercials, music videos and films; with his feature film CALL ME KING receiving an American domestic theatrical release and was acquired by Netflix for distribution.
I’m most proud of creating an APP that is Uber for production crews to allow direct access to jobs Worldwide.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I spent a year traveling in Africa and began partnering with creatives that side to share ideas and technologies between both continents.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rate-line.com
- Instagram: @fisherthoughts
- Twitter: @fisherthoughts
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TYF-yl0PAo
Image Credits
David A. Fisher – owns all five images
