Interview with Actor, Producer, Director David Lipper

Actor, Producer, Director, David Lipper, CEO of Latigo Films, has worked on dozens of films and series throughout his profession, recent titles include "My Favorite Girlfriend" (2022), "Freud's Last Session" (2023), "Not Without Hope" (2025). While his career began primarily as an actor, he has been focusing more on directing and producing in recent years. Based in Los Angeles, he travels often to production sets and to film festivals around the world. Shortly after Cannes, I interviewed him about his growing body of work. Here is what he had to say:  

Can you first talk about your background in acting? 

DAVID: I started with musicals when I was 8 years old. I went on to study at Stagedoor Manor in NY during summers, got a BFA in musical theater from Emerson College and then moved to LA.

What led you from acting to directing? 

DAVID: I was teaching acting at Ivana Chubbuck studios and workshopped a horror film in there that a friend turned me on to. He also suggested I look at directing it. Then when the writers saw how I essentially directed the actors and improved their performances, they too suggested I direct the film…so I did. And it’s called “Death Link”. 

Now you are producing. What is it about producing that you love that you cannot do with acting and directing? 

DAVID: Producing basically makes you the person in charge and responsible for the entire production. It’s managing the money, the talent, the crew, the post and delivery. And then the world of sales and distribution.

Why do so many films these days have so many producers? 

DAVID: It takes a village. That is usually because each one had a hand in some way of getting the film made - one had the rights to the material, one brought in pre-sales, another attached talent, and many who brought in pieces of financing that are Executive Producers, but it has been a problem lately with too many of these credits being handed out and frustrating for people like me who run productions on the ground along with all the above mentioned things to earn this credit. 

Why is indie filmmaking so difficult and what advice do you have for young producers out there? 

DAVID: It’s so hard mostly because films cost too much. Star actor salaries are so high, they take most of the money and producers must pinch every other penny to break even. And even then, it’s impossible without tax credits and rebates.

Do you have a film in the past you are most proud of? 

DAVID: Reboot Camp. We made it for a couple of hundred thousand dollars, won a ton of awards, and just made a great film that was about the performances. As an actor who came from the comedy world…it was just so much working with mockumentary legends like Ed Begley and David Koechner.

You are working on EP-ing some big projects now. Can you speak about those? 

DAVID: I try and stick to being a full producer but I’ll EP on big films like Bride Hard, where I can help source some much needed financing. But my happy place is running sets. 

You had a few movies in the market at Cannes this year. Can you speak about those? 

DAVID: We had 15 with a lot of sales companies. I have a few announcements coming but our big one looking to make a big domestic deal that I’m proud of is “Not Without Hope”, by Joe Carnahan, and starring Zachary Levi and Josh Duhamel. It was a year ago I was on the ground in Malta on a tough shoot and seeing it come out so great is heartwarming for all of us who feel this is an important true story about hope and survival. 

Why is it so important for filmmakers to attend Cannes and other markets? 

DAVID: It just works better when buyers and sellers are together in a biz environment like that. We get a lot done. As a seller, it’s also nice when the buyers are happy and in a buying mood, but I imagine the beautiful French Riviera helps as well. 

What will you be working on next? 

DAVID: We are working on a Liam Neeson and Zachary Levi action film that will announce shortly.

Interview by Vanessa McMahon