David Halver

Known as a "One Man Art Department" among people he's worked with, David has worked on dozens of Films & 1,000+ TV Commercials (1980-2024) as an Art Director, Set Designer, Carpenter, Scenic Artist, Propmaker and Storyboard Artist. In addition to his extensive Art Dept background, he has also worked as a UPM and Line Producer on countless Commercials and Still Shoots. Combining his vast production experience and sharp eye for design and details, he's also a skilled Location Scout.

With over 43 years of Live Action Production experience, as well as several years in corporate Public Relations, David is now a full-time Consultant to the City of Palmdale; representing the City as their Film Liaison to Film Crews filming in the Antelope Valley as well as working with the City's Department of Economic Development to assist in the City's eventual long-range plan to have state-of-the-art Sound Stages and Production Facilities built in Palmdale.

In the late 70s, David was an assistant to world-famous Artist, Designer & Architect Herbert Bayer, AIA, (1900-1985) who at the time was the last living member of the Bauhaus School of Design. His friendship with Bayer resulted in his working as an Art Consultant to the Atlantic Richfield Company's Corporate Art Collection, displayed in their offices throughout the USA.

While at ARCO, he supervised the installation of major artworks company-wide; developed the world's first data-entry inventory system for an Art Collection and photographed over 10,000 contemporary artworks in Arco office buildings from Los Angeles to New York. This eventually led to his becoming a part of Arco's Public Relations team and resulted in numerous requests for him to speak and give lectures on Arco's Collection from LA to NYC and Washington DC.

During a Christmas hiatus from ARCO in 1979-80,Roger Corman hired David to work on Les mercenaires de l'espace (1980) as an Assistant Art Director to James Cameron and Charles William Breen.

Unable to work through the entire production due to unexpected corporate responsibilities in New York and Denver, as well as his commitment to Bayer, David reluctantly had to leave the shoot during mid-production in January.

Making an experimental animated short led to his being accepted into Cal Arts (Film Graphics program - experimental animation with mentor Jules Engle). While at Cal Arts, David placed an ad in American Cinematographer magazine which resulted in work as a free-lance Story Board Artist.

On occasion, David returned to feature film production, but in order to have more time with his Family, focused more on TV Commercials working in various Art Department positions and his frequent work as a Location Scout.

In these capacities, David has worked on hundreds of Commercials over the years, from small spots to huge Super Bowl Commercials, including several with MTV & Clio Award-winning Production Designer, Vance Lorenzini. During time not spent in film production, David explored Hawaii and became a top producing Realtor in Southern California.

His extensive experience negotiating and writing Real Estate contracts led to representing major office buildings in the Los Angeles area, including the twin 51 story ARCO Plaza Towers during the filming of Braqueurs amateurs (2005) and the unprecedented use of their executive offices on the 51st floor; as well as negotiating location contracts for Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005).

This led to his working as the Stage Manager for "The Stages at Playa Vista" (the old Howard Hughes "Spruce Goose" hangers) during pre-production and filming of several feature films, including the construction of the massive sets and recreation of the Interiors of the Senate and Capitol Building for xXx²: The Next Level (2005).

A long-term working relationship with Diana Klein's high-profile location company, Malibu Locations, led to David's managing of her company while it was for sale; as well as during escrow and through the interim transition period while the new owners took over.

When not actively working in film production or as a Location Scout, David works as a Realtor, Designer and Builder, remodeling homes & mountain cabins in the Lake Arrowhead area of Southern California.