Meet Omer Ben-David | Video Writer & Director

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

Hi Omer, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I am a strong believer that taking risks is the only way to evolve and that a comfort zone is a highway to decay.
In my own career I chose to take projects that I felt were too big for me, or on the contrary that the salary was too small, with the risk of not fulfilling the job on the best case scenario – Or collapsing on the worst case.
Indeed, both scenarios did happen – But they taught me, improved me, and kept me going to where I am today

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So I am a Writer-Director of Films, Music Videos & Commercials.
If I had to define myself I would say I make Dark Comedies, and genre blenders, adding some thriller if possible – But no matter what, the thing that is most important for me, is that it would be an eye-catcher. I like to create things that are filled with movement & fast pacing.

I’ve been telling stories, and drawing paintings, since I can remember myself. I think that at a very young age this became both my escapism, and I guess also my way to process life around me.

When I became a teenager, in the mid 90’s, both hobbies merged into the screen, with a VHS obsession, rewatching endlessly the era’s action movies, MTV, and all the good that those amazing times had to offer.

From then it became a done deal – A film program in an Arts highschool, later doing shorts on DVcams with friends whenever we could, all the way to an undergrad film school, and finally with a BA in Columbia university.

First, I thought I only wanted to write & Direct movies, but as I began making them, I realised I actually enjoy pretty much every gig that allows me to play with friends and cameras.

And so I began with Music Videos, which ended up progressing into advertisement commercials – Which is most of how I make my living nowadays.
Luckily, this helps me to keep on writing & directing my own films – Which is still my favorite thing to do – And in fact I am actually just now prepping for my first Feature Film.

The things I’ve done so far that I’m proud of are my short film “Premiere”, that was screened this summer in Palm Springs shortfest, and was elected to WME’s shortfest.

I am also super proud and excited about a Feature Film script I wrote with a dear friend, for which we won the emerging filmmaker award at Sam Spiegel’s writing lab.

And last but not least, are the wonderful musicians I was privileged enough to work with. Lately I had the chance to make a video with the amazing Rap duo Flyana Boss, and before that I got to win best music video in Hollyshorts film festival for a work I’ve done for musician Kutiman.

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.
Go catch a 35 mm screening of old classic films at Quentin Tarantino’s Vista Theater.

Go into the Van Nuys LA River Concrete Channel for a nice bicycle ride

Eat a Jalapeño smash burger at “Easy Street”

Ease into a traffic jam on the highway during the sunset with power 106 on the radio for some nice GTA vibes

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would love to shoutout to my friend, cinematographer, partner in crime – Omri Barzilai – for being there for me every step of the way. Really, the one thing needed for an adventure is a good partner, and Omri is exactly that.

Website: https://omerbendavid.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_o.b.d/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omer-ben-david-3125551b7/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omer.b.david.1

Other: https://vimeo.com/user27215367

Image Credits
My portrait – Roey Beit on

Bee – Matan Balalty

McDonalds – Omri Barzilai

Moon – Daniel Miller

Pots on head – Daniel Miller

Smiling kid – Omri Barzilai

Group in elevator – Geoffrey Taylor

Group with flash – Omri Barzilai

Two girls – Maayan Bouchnik