David H. Venghaus Jr. speaks to aspiring filmmakers at Lee seminar
Photo by Christopher Vega.
No stranger to the big screen, Assistant Director David H. Venghaus Jr. spoke to Lee film students on Monday morning about his extensive resume and career in the Hollywood film industry.
At eight years old, Venghaus was inspired to begin diving into the production behind movies after watching “Island at the Top of the World” with his grandfather.
“I came out of the theatre, and I said, ‘how did they do that?’ And my grandfather said, ‘what, fly the blimp?’ And I said ‘no, make the movie,’” said Venghaus. “He had an old movie camera. He explained the camera to me and started buying me books about film. He was my inspiration.”
Venghaus, who has since worked on films such as “Forrest Gump,” “A Quiet Place Part 2” and is currently first assistant director on “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” navigated his way into the realm of movie and tv production by working as an intern.
“I typed cover letters and resumes and sent them to every TV show,” said Venghaus. “My very first job was in New York with ‘The Cosby Show.’ I started out as an intern and got bumped up to be the set production assistant, and I did that for two years.”
Fast-forward years later, Venghaus established his home in Los Angeles, where he consistently works with celebrities on top of the industry films, including Lee alumnus Grayson Russell who met Venghaus on the set of ‘Mother’s Day.’
“Dave — compared to other first AD’s I’ve worked with — is very counterintuitive,” said Russell. “When crap hits the fan and everyone else is flipping out, Dave is in his element.”
Pulling from his own experience, Venghaus hopes to encourage aspiring directors and future filmmakers to utilize their time in college to gain first-hand experience on set.
“Do internships. When I asked Mr. Cosby ‘why he chose me over anyone else’ … he said ‘you came out of college not only with an education, you came out of college understanding what it actually took to work on a film set,’” said Venghaus. “I left college with a resume as well. Even if you have to work for free, it’s worth it.”
Junior cinema major Sydney Wright notes the opportunity to meet people working first-hand in the industry can be inspiring as students prepare for a competitive work environment.
“[When these guests visit,] we can see that is possible [to make it] because sometimes it can feel like a dream,” said Wright.
Venghaus will finish production on “Spider-Man: No Way Home” this week and continue his production work on upcoming films throughout the year.
