
- Posts: 683
- Joined: Sat Jun 07, 2008 10:25 pm
It is with great sadness to report David Shepard passed peacefully away tonight, surrounded by his family and friends. I could talk about David's generous spirit, how he freely gave his time, energy to so, so many people. Or I could talk about how David's keen intelligence and encyclopedic knowledge improved so many film projects over the years.
But what I'd rather talk about is what David meant to me. David had a very special gift - the gift to intuit what people around him were interested in doing, and then finding a way to make it happen. When I was in film school and he was my teacher, my assignment was to write a paper on a film of my choice - the only requirement was that it had to be silent. I picked Nosferatu, it seemed like an easy film to write about (after all, I'd already seen it). Little did I know what I was in for. David liked the paper so much he asked me if I wanted to do a commentary track on a Nosferatu disc he was producing. I immediately said yes, and that decision has put me on a path any Monster Kid would love to be on.
The other wonderful (and sneaky) thing David did for me was back in 1994, when he handed me a 16mm reel - a comedy short - asking me to take it to Pordenone, explaining that he wanted me to be the 'official representative of Film Preservation Associates,' and explained how precious the film was and how important it was to get it to the festival. I can't for the life of me remember what the name of the film was - but this was yet another life changing event. Looking back at this, I see a gentle ruse at work: If David had said: "I know this great film festival that you would like," I would have found a hundred reasons not to go. 1994 was my first year at the festival, and that first trip would expand my world in wonderful and dramatic ways.
David, you helped me to lead a much richer life. Thank you, dear friend. I will truly miss you.
But what I'd rather talk about is what David meant to me. David had a very special gift - the gift to intuit what people around him were interested in doing, and then finding a way to make it happen. When I was in film school and he was my teacher, my assignment was to write a paper on a film of my choice - the only requirement was that it had to be silent. I picked Nosferatu, it seemed like an easy film to write about (after all, I'd already seen it). Little did I know what I was in for. David liked the paper so much he asked me if I wanted to do a commentary track on a Nosferatu disc he was producing. I immediately said yes, and that decision has put me on a path any Monster Kid would love to be on.
The other wonderful (and sneaky) thing David did for me was back in 1994, when he handed me a 16mm reel - a comedy short - asking me to take it to Pordenone, explaining that he wanted me to be the 'official representative of Film Preservation Associates,' and explained how precious the film was and how important it was to get it to the festival. I can't for the life of me remember what the name of the film was - but this was yet another life changing event. Looking back at this, I see a gentle ruse at work: If David had said: "I know this great film festival that you would like," I would have found a hundred reasons not to go. 1994 was my first year at the festival, and that first trip would expand my world in wonderful and dramatic ways.
David, you helped me to lead a much richer life. Thank you, dear friend. I will truly miss you.
"You can't top pigs with pigs."
Walt Disney, responding to someone who asked him why he didn't immediately do a sequel to The Three Little Pigs
Walt Disney, responding to someone who asked him why he didn't immediately do a sequel to The Three Little Pigs