David Wilder
He played in Bryan Higby‘s Dollar Baby Here There Be Tygers as Mr. Bird.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
David Wilder: Well my name is David Wilder. I’m a 47 year old father of a 19 year old son. Currently I work as a cleaner and caretaker in a retirement home type of place. Of course that’s just my 9 to 5 job as they say. My real passion is acting!
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become an actor?
David Wilder: Well I’ve kinda been “acting” since I was a kid. When most kids were playing “cowboys and Indians” or whatever me and my close friends were acting out our favorite movies. But, then in the early to mid 90’s I became close friends with Bryan Higby and Rick Snyder. They opened my mind up to the idea of acting as a real career one day!
SKSM: How did you become involved in Here there be tygers Dollar Baby film?
David Wilder: Well as I said after becoming friends with Bryan him and I started working on projects together. We have wrote together and worked on a few short films. He really likes my style of acting. So when he got the chance to do a Dollar Baby project he wrote the Mr. Bird character with me in mind!
SKSM: What do you think it is about the story that attracts people so much?
David Wilder: Well it boils down to be about bullying! Which has always been a issue with many people for years. And it’s a story of a kid getting revenge against their bullies. Which i think appeals to just about anyone with a history of being a victim of a bully!
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
David Wilder: Kinda answered this already. But yes Bryan wrote the part with me in mind!
SKSM: You worked with Bryan Higby on this film, how was that?
David Wilder: Working with Bryan is always a joy! We are more like brothers at this point. We get each other! And we know how to communicate to get a job done! I always take his direction well. And if I have any ideas he is always open to them. And if he agrees it will make it better we go for it. And if not we won’t. With zero resentment!
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
David Wilder: Well the kids really got a big kick out of my teeth. I used this make-up stuff that made my teeth looked like I smoked 2 packs of cigarettes a day… lol. And I have to say the kids were awesome to work with! Especially the two main ones. His daughter Harper and her cousin Sophia. What they did on the day of the shoot was just great stuff!
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
David Wilder: Well of course Bryan and I always keep in touch. We are currently working on another project. And sometimes I see Harper if the whole family comes up to visit. Or I go down there. We live quite a few miles from one another!
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
David Wilder: Like I said we are currently working on another project set up for this summer that’s gonna be connected to older projects. It’s gonna tie a bunch of smaller things together into one big piece!
SKSM: Are you a fan of Stephen King’s work?
David Wilder: Ohhh yess! I’ve been reading King since the mid 80’s!! My first was Pet Sematary. And am a huge fan of his Dark Tower books!
SKSM: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
David Wilder: That I am a fan of all kinds of movies. I have a lot of Star Wars stuff in my house and King books on my shelves. But, I’m also a fan of comedies and action even some romantic comedies! I try to keep my mind open!
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
David Wilder: Just that if you get a chance to see our movie or any of these Dollar Baby movies go for it! We had a festival of a bunch of them in our hometown. And a lot of them were very entertaining!
SKSM: Do you like to add anything else?
David Wilder: Only that to be honest at first I wasn’t sure this was all legit. Lol. But, Bryan assured me it was all cool and to go for it… so here I am going for it! I hope that I have given you all you need. Bryan is the better writer and seller of himself. Lol. I just like to try and help him bring his visions to life! Thanks so much for this opportunity!
