About Dave
(The One Where I Write in Third Person)
David B. Holton (Dave) is a creative polymath who has excelled in writing, photography, filmmaking, & theatre. His diverse portfolio includes publishing short fiction, penning scripts for both screen & stage, & writing articles for travel magazines. Dave has consulted on screenplays for studios & talent agencies, performed on-stage for live theatre audiences, & produced long-form YouTube content that has attracted millions of viewers. Recent career highlights include winning “Best Mockumentary Microfilm” at the Austin Comedy Film Festival, being named an “Emerging Voice in Fiction” by Oyster River Pages, & portraying Captain Arthur Barlowe in The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama.
Dave leverages a wide-ranging combination of education & practical experience to maximize his impact as a writer, visual storyteller, & creative producer. His education encompasses an extensive self-study curriculum across the arts, a Certificate of Producing for Film & Television from UCLA-Extension, an MBA in Marketing & Entrepreneurship from UNC Chapel Hill, & a BSc in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. His diverse background includes roles as a field engineer on bridge construction projects and as a management consultant advising Fortune 500 company leaders.
Dave’s eclectic portfolio showcases his passion for storytelling across various mediums & his knack for combining creative expression with entrepreneurial innovation. His work is driven by a commitment to excellence & a desire to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
Notable Achievements
Writing & Visual Storytelling Achievements
• Filmmaker: Wrote, directed, acted in, & edited a zero-budget short film during the pandemic that won “Best Mockumentary Microfilm” at the Austin Comedy Film Festival & “Outstanding Achievement” at the Berlin Flash Film Festival.
• Theatre Actor: Played the lead role of Sergeant Trotter in Theatre of Dare’s 2022 run of Agatha Christie’s “The Mouse Trap.” Played Captain Arthur Barlowe & several Ensemble Cast roles in The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama 2021 season (70+ shows from May to August).
• Photographer: Specialize in Headshots, Portraits, Personal Branding, Behind-the-Scenes, Special Events, & Documentary. Recently published work in issues of F-stop Magazine.
• Fiction Writer: Published magical realism short story in September 2020 “Oyster River Pages” literary magazine (was named an “Emerging Voice in Fiction”).
• Screenwriter: Finished top 10% in 5 major screenplay contests. Feature film screenplay currently ranked in the top 10% of all Adventure Screenplays on Coverfly.com.
• Journalist & Copywriter: Wrote features for “Milepost Magazine” from 2018-20 & advertorials/advertisements for “Outer Banks This Week” magazine from 2017-18.
Creative Producing & On-Set Production Achievements
• Creative Producer: produced a series of long-form YouTube Videos (~20 min) with additional IG & TikTok content & brand integrations for YT Influencer with >8M subscribers.
• Assistant Technical Director: Worked behind the scenes leading teams of technicians building sets & lighting towers for The Lost Colony Outdoor Drama 2021 season (May-Aug).
• Producer & Assistant Director: 25-min Mockumentary “Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling” (>4M YT views).
• Production Coordinator: Full-length Feature Film “Pandora’s Box” for CineTel Films, distributed by Lionsgate.
• Producer & Production Manager: Virtual Reality Short Film “Vain,” exhibited at film festivals worldwide.
• Line Producer & 1st Assistant Director: 8-episode Web Series “Friendless Five,” distributed on Fullscreen TV.
• 2nd Assistant Director: Directed background talent for Ariana Grande’s Music Video, “One Last Time.”
• Producer, Co-Director, & Assistant Director: Multiple Short Films for Funny or Die & YouTube.
Story Analysis
• Provided screenplay synopses & recommendations on writers, story premise, & project to Development Executives for Amazon Studios & to the Head of the Story Department for Resolution Talent Agency.
• Judged feature film & television series screenwriting contests for Fresh Voices & the Tracking Board.