Meet David McAdoo | Director, Artist, Writer

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

Hi David, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I never really had a choice. And, what I mean by that is, as an artist that has been drawing and creating since before I can remember, I’ve never known anything else. If I didn’t make it in an artistic career, then I’d just become a professional “try-again-er”. Something would have to stick. Creating is built into my DNA; drawing, painting, sculpting, writing, and all the skills in between are the fibers that hold it all together. I’m proud of the career that I’ve had so far, but if I die “trying again” I’ll be just as happy.

When I was younger I thought I had to be a painter or a comic strip artist, because that’s what was available to me. But I’d always loved the movies and how the movies were made. I spent a lot of years “trying” different art jobs when all I really ever wanted was to combine all of my artistic interests into making films. I finally made it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a self-taught artist and have been supporting myself through my art for most of my adult life. I’m pretty proud of that fact alone. Would I like my art to find a bigger audience and appreciation? Who doesn’t? But unfortunately, art is subjective. And often undervalued in society. Even though, after the idea itself, it’s literally the next thing necessary for practically everything! It’s tough to move forward sometimes but I believe the more you put yourself out there, the more chance you’ll be seen and get a chance to show your worth. Take chances, learn from your mistakes, move on.

But I’m an artist at heart and a bit of a jack-of-all-trades within that title. My art covers a lot: drawing for comics, cartoons, graphic novels, oil and acrylic paintings commissions, murals, traditional portrait drawings and paintings. For films, I’ve done storyboards for shorts, full-length features, music videos and video games, as well as creature and character concept designs. I’m proud of all that experience and I think it makes me more rounded as an artist.

Ultimately, though, my proudest achievement has been to finally put all my artistic interests together and direct a short horror film that I’ve co-written, called “Mum’s the Word”. It’s been accepted at several film festivals so far including at HorrorHound Film Fest this year and it was nominated for Best Short, Best Writing Short, Best Production Design Short, and Judges Choice. I’m extremely proud of that my writing partner and co-producer, William Bergman, and I have worked hard to get what we wanted on screen and it seems to be paying off. Check out the trailer at davidmcadoo.com/Mums-the-word and at a horror film fest near you soon!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, I’m in Long Beach so I’d probably start with the Queen Mary. There’s always something going on there and it’s such an iconic locale. And I love the Dome hangar for the Spruce Goose! A lot of popular movies have been shot there. Long Beach has some great beaches, too, so that’s definitely a stop.

But we’d have to go up to Hollywood and check out the Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign, maybe the Hollywood Museum. That’s all kind of touristy things, which is fine and I think everyone needs to see some of that, but the really cool stuff is a bit hidden. I think it’d be fun to take them to Cantor’s Deli, or maybe Barney’s Beanery, or Bob’s Big Boy. Depending on who it is and what kind of movies they’re into, we can look around for shooting locations and find famous houses. I love the Bradbury Building from Blade Runner.

But also, how many times will they get to see a movie at the Chinese Theater or the Egyptian or the New Beverly? Just iconic locations.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think most of us have to give some member of our family that credit. My father, Danny, is undoubtedly my single biggest influence, especially in my early years. He was very artistic (although he will argue this point) when he was younger; drawing doodles, writing epic poems, playing guitar and writing songs, and building almost anything (including making a regular bike into a chopper for me and my siblings). Dad influenced my art and my abilities in more ways than he knows even to this day. Yes, drawing came easily to me, and that arguably is DNA-responsible, but the experiences I had growing up also contributed. From coloring book sessions to Creepy and Conan comics to the films I saw first-run (Jaws, Star Wars, Raiders. etc.), all were connected to my dad. And there’s no way to argue that all that doesn’t have anything to do with where I am today. Thanks Dad.

Is “dad” too obvious? Ok. When I was ten years old I signed up for a week-long seminar called “Written and Illustrated by…” taught by a Kansas City (I’m from Springfield, MO) publisher, David Melton. In the seminar, you’re tasked with not only writing and illustrating a short story but also building the book, all in one week. I created a book called “The Dragon of Ord”, a little science fiction fantasy piece set in a barbaric distant future. Melton was impressed with my story and art and decided to publish it a few years later. We toured with a few of the other artists he published and it was a very influential time in my life. It was my first taste of “real world” industry work. And I wasn’t ready for it. Looking back, I wish I had been, but mistakes and missed opportunities is how we learn. That experience and the words of David Melton still motivate me today. “The Dragon of Ord” wasn’t a huge hit, but it was the beginnings of my professional artistic and creative journey.

Website: davidmcadoo.com

Instagram: @theartofdavemcadoo

Linkedin: davidmcadoo1977

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