Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake David.
Jake, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Well, I never wanted to do just one thing or be one thing – artistically or otherwise. Maybe it’s because I got bored easily as a kid, but I’ve always pushed myself to be creative and make different kinds of art. I think of it like the joy of creation (IYKYK)…
For example, I remember trying to make little videos with my friends on the playground in elementary school. We never got to the filming stage, but that “Futurama” fan-script is still sitting on my old hard drive somewhere. At the same time, I was busy writing stories, singing in the school chorus, and eventually acting in the local theatre scene. Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors” was my first lead role. I learned a lot from those years on stage, which I fell off of twice – once literally into a garbage can.
When I got to college, I stepped back from performing (temporarily) and studied video editing, as well as the production and business sides of entertainment. I genuinely do enjoy working with the analytical elements alongside the creative, especially when my vocals need a rest!
Then, right as I was about to graduate, I landed a recurring gig editing for an animation studio in LA. I’m a huge fan of cartoons (“Futurama”) and anime (“Gurren Lagann!”), so working in that part of the industry has been an incredible journey. From pitching jokes in writers’ rooms to presenting trailers at convention halls, I’ve had some amazing opportunities to collaborate with true creative professionals. They took a chance on a fresh college grad, and I’ll always be grateful for that.
Whether recording on the mic or editing behind the scenes, I chalk up my success (if you want to call it that) to an overactive imagination – the kind that makes you think about closet monsters as a kid, and now you still can’t watch horror movies alone. I was always playing make-believe in my room, and fortunately, I never grew out of that because now it pays the bills!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Something, something, “pressure makes diamonds” cliché. But yes, beyond the usual millennial imposter syndrome, I’ve had to wiggle my way out of a few tight spaces – some tighter than others…
For instance, when you lose parents at a young(ish) age – 13 and 18, respectively – it puts a lot of things into perspective. You realize how short life is and that if you want something, you better work for it because you’re on a timer. That’s not to say I worry about the existential clock every minute of every day, but I try not to live my life constantly unsatisfied (at least when I can help it).
I also think my family was in the quote-unquote “medium-to-low income bracket,” so any college plans were scholarship or bust. Fortunately, I did well enough in school and found myself at a nice university on the East Coast like my parents had always wanted. Then, unfortunately, any and all confidence I had drained out of me the moment I stepped on campus. Maybe it was the Dunning-Kruger effect kicking in, or simply my recurring lack of self-esteem. (Both?)
In an attempt to not be TOTALLY miserable, I enrolled at USC, hopped on a plane for the first time since I was born, alone with a backpack, and flew ~2,700 miles from Pennsylvania to a state I’d never been to – and a school I’d never seen before – on the chance that I’d be happier there. See Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” for more details.
This happened to be right after my mother passed, and needless to say, it was a classic case of “you can run, but your problems will follow you.” Something, something, “It Follows” (2015). I don’t know, I’ve never seen that film. Too spooky!
Anyway, despite my personal hang-ups, that move was ultimately the right call, and I managed to find work doing what I love – being creative. The arts and entertainment industry is tumultuous, especially in LA, but so was my journey getting here.
I’m not into astrology or mythical stuff, but maybe my spirit animal is a cockroach because it’s been really hard to stomp me out so far. Much like the clock, I just keep on ticking.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Well, I write scripts, edit videos, voice act, sing, and make a mean Piña Colada. That last one’s a lie. I’m a hazard in the kitchen, so don’t trust me with a blender.
Video production is my typical line of work, but I’m regularly auditioning for voiceover projects where I can find them. There’s an incredible indie animation space online (ranging from “The Amazing Digital Circus” to “Lackadaisy”), so my goal this year is to connect with more folks in the VA community. In the meantime, I’ll be playing the role of Fuyuki in an upcoming visual novel game, “I Married a Monster on a Hill,” so that’s cool!
I’m also developing a YouTube channel with a friend from college, NickVez, talking about retro games and Nintendo history. I’m more into action RPGs, but he’s steadily convincing me to buy a Switch 2.
Additionally, I have a library of songs I’ve written, but it takes me way longer to record those than it probably (definitely) should. My latest single, “1995,” dropped last spring, and I’m very proud of the 90s pop-punk vibe it gives off. Hopefully, I’ll release another one this decade!
But no matter what I’m working on, I always bring my creative voice, sense of humor, and dedication to my projects. I pride myself on my professionalism as much as my storytelling, and the last thing I want is to not carry my weight as a collaborative artist. Despite my complete lack of sports knowledge, I understand the value of teamwork.
Tldr: I’m always working on new things. If I’m not creating something at some point in time, I’m probably dead.
How do you think about luck?
I don’t need to reiterate my rollercoaster early years, so I’ll put it this way. I don’t believe in “luck” like it’s some invisible force or karmic guidance. Sometimes things just happen – good or bad, in or out of your control – and you decide how to deal with them. That’s not luck, that’s life.
What matters is that you make choices and don’t let luck choose for you.
One of my favorite musicals is Jonathan Larson’s “RENT” because it emphasizes how valuable time is, and how we choose to spend that time is ultimately up to us. As the song goes, “No day but today.” It’s essentially the same thesis statement as “Phineas and Ferb.” Of course, realistically, it’s hard to keep that mantra ALL the time, but I try to make decisions every day that I can be happy with.
So, every day, I keep moving forward. Call it determination, insanity, or my spiritual cockroach, but I choose to move forward.
That’s my advice to anyone riding the same creative struggle bus. Forget about “luck” because you can’t control it. Focus on what you “can” do and keep on climbing. See Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb” for more details.
And hey, good or bad, literally nothing lasts forever. So enjoy the ride while you can!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://medium.com/@jakedavid160
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakedavid160/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3CD7GJeJvfSzOJtNmE9NEd?si=Wa3-2fpEQhGq38suvsVwrQ
