Meet David Puskas

Hi David, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary. Both my parents are working in show business, so I grew up in an environment where I could see behind the curtain both literally and figuratively. I got to see how they prepare a script and then how words and ink on paper turn into believable dialogue and beautiful scenes on stage. It was relatively clear to me from the age of about ten that I wanted to tell stories just like my parents and so I concentrated all my energy to execute my plan. I prioritized only the things and activities I deemed necessary to enable me to make it into a British or American university; everything else became secondary. I developed a knack for melody’s and so I started to write music alongside acting and so in my last year as I graduated high school, I applied to numerous universities in England and in the U.S. After much debate, one favourite emerged. The New York Film Academy. I was honoured to receive a merit-based partial scholarship that eased the financial burden on my parents immensely. A few years and a lot of studying later I emerged with a Summa Cum Laude, Acting for Film degree from NYFA and ever since, I’m chasing the illusive dream of breaking into show business. I had the fortune of working on some incredible projects, I scored a few films along the way, won some competitions and I directed my first short film with my brother, which is starting its festival run right now.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Getting my English right was definitely a challenge especially because I knew anything less than perfect would be catastrophic. The reason why not many have tried to make it into the English-speaking show business from my country is layered of course, but a very big reason in my opinion is the accent. Nailing that American accent or British is hard for a native Hungarian because the base of English is Germanic and Latin while Hungarian originates from Finno-Ugric, quite unlike any other language on earth. Also, one of the main obstacles today is the main reason I wanted to try my luck on the global stage. Back home, my mother and father combined, know every single person in the business, so it would be easier to succeed back home for sure, but also it would prompt a never-ending spiral of “His only in this and this because he is the son of so and so” and I really wanted to get a clean slate. I wanted to see if I could succeed against all odds with significantly less help I would have gotten if I stayed home.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an actor by degree, at least that is what we studied mainly at university but as many others trying to get ahead today in the film and entertainment industry, we all know we’re not just actors. If someone is trying to eliminate the factor of chance and luck as much as possible, one must write, direct, edit and use many skills in order to succeed. I myself write music also both in film and personal style. I found photography to be very interesting and useful as well so I’m trying to get good at that too. I was very lucky with an audition in my second summer break. I was called in for a smaller part in the Tv series “Treadstone” that ran in the USA and they liked my audition so much, they gave me a re-accruing role in three episodes. It was the first time I auditioned for anything so I was on top of the world. Working along with the hundreds of talented people in the cast and crew was both addicting and an eye-opener. I saw I had to work even harder if I wanted to be taken seriously so that gave me a boost next semester that’s for sure. I also won the “International Pannonia Film Music Competition’-s audience vote resulting in my music being recorded on a soundstage with a full orchestra. That was again one of those moments where I had to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. I thought I’d be 25 or 30 at least by the time my first classical or film music piece was recorded.

I try to view myself as a problem solver. Every single job is important if we want a good result or entertaining film. I found that this mentality of just being someone who solves problems helps me stay positive and proactive even when everything goes south, which happens more often then someone would think on a movie set. Even if I’m the composer and not the actor, I just try to talk to the director and see how I can solve his problems and elevate the movie. It works well for me and helps me tell stories and let my feelings out in a less bounded fashion.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
So many people. So many. I could not imagine any of this or my life even without my parents. They were always there and they continue to support me through all of this crazy and magical and wild ride. My brother Sam who is equally worthy of being in any magazine as I am if not more. He was there with me and closer to me than anyone. My friends back home who never give up on me and are willing to take the toll of long-distance friendships and my friends here who are equally amazing and supportive. Of course, there are a few special ones but they know who they are because I always make sure to let them know, tell them how special they are to me and how much I appreciate them. I don’t think I could be where I am today without them, or at least I don’t want to find out.