Recently, 24ora.com visited Los Angeles and had the opportunity to meet with David Wever, an Aruban who has been living in the city for some time.
In Aruba, David worked with various corporate companies, hotels, and other projects. However, at one point, he decided to leave everything behind and pursue his dream: to work in film production, collaborating with large teams on major productions. For a director and cinematographer, Hollywood is considered “the place to be.” In 2019, just before the COVID pandemic, he made the bold decision to take the leap and go for it.
David shared that his arrival in Los Angeles was challenging. It was a new city where no one knew him, and the journey was difficult. However, thanks to a family member, he was introduced to someone who helped him open doors in the city. At the beginning, things were tough, especially because Los Angeles is a large city with millions of people chasing the same dream. He had to prove himself. While some people arrive with a formal education in filmography, David learned everything on his own. He started by working on small, unpaid projects, and gradually built his reputation. This is the only way to gain opportunities, and from there, he continued to secure more work.
While still living in Aruba, David also filmed commercials for America, where he worked as a cinematographer, editor, and director. Ultimately, he made his way into the film industry, which had always been his goal. Some of his productions have been featured on platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Tubi, among others.
Regarding work ethics, David pointed out that in Aruba, it’s often a “one-man show,” where you are required to wear many hats: producer, sound engineer, client liaison, and even business negotiator. However, in the US, he works as part of a team, where each person is focused on a specific task, allowing him to concentrate on what he does best. In a one-man show, you’re filming while also being aware of everything else going on around you.
America is known as the land of opportunity, where dreams can become a reality. However, it’s also a country where you need to fight hard to reach your goals. You must believe in the power of your dreams. Los Angeles, often referred to as the Mecca of cinematography, is a city where quality control is paramount. David emphasized that producing a high-quality product is crucial in his industry—if you don’t pass quality control, you won’t get far.
David has now been living in Los Angeles for over five years and has adapted well to life there. He’s “in his element” and has worked hard and dedicated himself to making his dream a reality. However, while work is important, he has reached a point where he wants to reconnect with his roots. His primary work now involves editing, which he can do remotely, meaning he is not tied to one specific location. His next step will be to return to Aruba, but if he has a major production, he will return to Los Angeles to fulfill his commitments there.
Finally, David shared a message for everyone who has a dream: go for it. Especially now, in the digital age, work hard and give it everything you’ve got, and be persistent. Persistence is key to achieving your goals.
For project inquiries, you can contact him via https://www.davewever.com/
