LAist Interview: Dave Lehre

So, you started with Myspace: The Movie. When did you start making films, how did you get into it?
Well, I started when I was 16. I had tried out for a play back in high school in Michigan, which I didn't get into. So, I bought a camera and made a film with all the people who didn't make it into the play. I uploaded it and people really liked it and I made more and more films and more and more people started watching.

I made Myspace: The Movie and uploaded it, and all these people started emailing me, producers, agents, managers. So I flew out to LA, had all of these meetings and eventually signed with ICM and got a production deal with Fox.

Also, my film just won the T-Mobile Sidekick Nation Video contest on Myspace, so you'll be seeing on Jimmy Kimmel soon.

Is the Writers' Strike affecting you at all?
Not really, I have the production deal for a comedy variety show with Fox TV, but I act, write, produce and direct and if I can't do one, then I move to another. I just moved to LA and I'm in an action film in January.

Who would you most like to work with?
Ashley Tisdale. I think we could put together something really funny, a great comedy.

What about directors?
Robert Rodriguez.

So, you're definitely more influenced by the DIY filmmakers?
Yeah. I mean, I think he's one of the first filmmakers to have had great success doing most of it himself. I definitely admire that.

Do you plan on becoming apart of the Hollywood scene, I mean, I know going out to network is most likely in your plans but actually going out and getting into it?
Yeah, definitely. I enjoy going out and meeting people is apart of things, so yeah.