Cleveland native David Lester is returning home to share his extensive film industry experience at events hosted by the Greater Cleveland Film Commission this weekend. On January 9, 2025, he will headline the “Behind the Camera” gala at the Cleveland History Center, followed by a workshop for aspiring film crew members on January 10, 2025, at Tri-C’s Metropolitan Campus.
Lester’s journey in the film industry began in the late 1960s while studying at the University of Southern California (USC) Film School. He gained recognition as a problem-solver, a skill that attracted the attention of fellow student George Lucas, who sought his help on a project related to “Star Wars.” Lester recalls, “It was trying to figure out how to film miniature explosions that were then going to be composited into motion-control camera shots.”
Throughout his career, Lester contributed to numerous iconic films, including “The Black Stallion,” “White Men Can’t Jump,” and “In the Line of Fire.” His passion for film was ignited at a young age when he saw David Lean’s “The Bridge on the River Kwai” at just 12 years old. “It occurred to me that someone was moving that camera. I couldn’t see them, but I knew they must have been there,” he reflected.
Lester’s professional path led him back to Ohio multiple times in the 1990s. He served as executive producer and production manager for the critically acclaimed “The Shawshank Redemption,” filmed in Mansfield. He explained how the location was chosen: “We looked at the three available prisons that had recently been shut down by the courts. When we got to Mansfield and saw the Ohio Reformatory, it was like, ‘OK, that search is over. We’ve got our Shawshank.’”
In addition to “Shawshank,” he was involved in the production of “Air Force One,” which filmed its opening sequence in Cleveland. For the latter, the crew needed a large exterior location to represent Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany, leading them to Rickenbacker International Airport near Columbus.
Now at 80 years old, Lester’s last screen credit was as executive producer for Joss Whedon’s 2005 film “Serenity.” Among all his projects, he takes particular pride in “Cobb,” a biopic of baseball legend Ty Cobb, which faced production hurdles but ultimately came to fruition. “Nobody really wanted the movie,” Lester noted. “But he got his way, and I’m really proud of that movie.”
The landscape of the film industry has evolved significantly since Lester began his career. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling over spectacle, stating, “Visual effects have created an opportunity for films to be much more extravagant — and remarkably shallower.” His current favorite is the understated film “Train Dreams,” which aligns with his belief in the value of narrative depth.
Technological advancements have also transformed the filmmaking process. Where creating a movie once required expensive equipment, modern tools allow for filmmaking on a much smaller scale. This shift enables any city, including Cleveland, to emerge as a viable production hub. The Greater Cleveland Film Commission actively promotes this potential by offering state tax credits and developing local talent pools.
Lester highlighted the importance of hiring local talent during his film productions. “The more expansive that body of potential hires becomes for producers coming to town, the better it is,” he explained. To that end, he will not only participate in the gala but will also lead a Production Assistant Workshop, guiding participants through the practical aspects of working on a set.
He aims to instill a sense of perseverance in attendees, advising them to remain confident in their abilities despite challenges. “You have to be tough enough and have confidence in your own ideas and ability to contribute,” he said. “I know a lot of people who I started in the industry with who just couldn’t bear the rejections.”
The Greater Cleveland Film Commission’s “Behind the Camera with David Lester” event is set for 5 p.m. on January 9, at the Cleveland History Center, located at 10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland. The Production Assistant Workshop will take place at 10 a.m. on January 10, at Tri-C’s Metropolitan Campus, 2900 Community College Avenue, Cleveland. For ticket and registration information, visit clevelandfilm.com.
