Meet David Schlussel | Writer, Director, Editor, Music Supervisor, Dad

We had the good fortune of connecting with David Schlussel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
I am a writer and director so I am lucky to be home a lot and being a parent is the thing I am best at. We have two house rules 1. Yes, and.. and 2. solutions no problems. Parenting is the ultimate improv game, so when I became a parent I adopted the first rule of improv which is “YES, AND…” whatever is thrown at you in a scene, you accept (yes) and add to it (and). So for a parenting example when your kid falls and is crying but you know they are okay, you don’t say “You’re fine” because that’s negating what they are feeling. You say something like “wow, that looked like it hurt” (yes) and (and) “do you need ice? a hug? the hospital?” Now I don’t always yes, and… but when I do it works 100% of the time. The second rule “solutions, no problems” is something I learned on set and use all the time. Forget what factors led to the problem, what can we do to solve it. In parenting that skips a lot of blaming each other. So I hope these have made an impact on my kids as well as the love, and joy, and school, and camps, and food, and support, and can you please pick up your clothes, seriously, how many times do I have to ask you pick up your clothes, and love, and fun, and seriously pick up your stuff. PLEASE.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think what sets me apart as a Writer/Director/Editor is that it doesn’t matter what the job is you are always getting my full creativity. It’s the only way I know how to work. I wish the rates always matched my effort, but it doesn’t matter what the job is, the question I’m always asking is “how can this be the best it can be”. Whether it’s a job for my kids school or working for Madonna the objective is always the same…let’s make this awesome.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ve been going to RUNYON CANYON since before you needed to be on the list to get in (you don’t). It’s a great place to get a good workout for you and your dogs as well as watch an influencer take a selfie with a mountain.

My hidden gem is the BALLONA CREEK BIKE PATH. It’s one mile from my house and once i’m on the path it’s eight miles along the LA RIVER that ends right at the pacific ocean. I just put on my headphones and zen out all the way to the waves.

As far as food goes I’m going to shoutout my kosher restaurants here. PATS (meat), MILKY WAY (dairy), and MENSCH BAKERY for the single greatest chocolate babka you will ever eat.

Also huge shoutout to MATSUMOTO (formerly Hirozen) for always being my go to sushi. I had my first date with my wife there and we still go every chance we get.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We are all amalgams of the experiences and people that have led us to this moment right now from parents to friends to relationships to my kids to spirituality to Andy Kaufman. I am grateful for all of it. Sort of.

Website: dazuecreative.com

Instagram: @dazuekey

Twitter: @dazuekey

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCec7PRnBQa4Q2B41RArQiA