Hidden Gems: Meet David Klingerman of Storyocity

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Klingerman.

David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
I went to Berklee College of Music for film scoring. While many of my colleagues moved to LA or New York, I felt Jesus call me to Cincinnati, where instead of giving my creative career a full push, I ran City Gospel Mission’s homeless men’s shelter for 4 years.

I met my amazing wife on a missionary trip. And I have to say, it’s hard to take credit for a lot of things since then.

It’s through her wisdom and encouragement to “finish it,” that I have to see everything through. Because it’s finishing, not starting, that’s important. She’s brilliant and has been there with me and for me, every step of the way.

We eventually had 2 incredible boys, born a year apart. And shortly thereafter, a Great Dane and a Chihuahua, cause why not?

I picked up camera and taught myself to shoot and edit, specifically so I could continue to write music for picture. Eventually, I picked up a degree at Cincinnati State for audio/video production and started a production company.

Things went great, so much so, that I began getting merger offers with production companies in town.

Eventually, my would-be business partner (Garret Ollish) invited me out for tacos, and we agreed that we wanted to do something special. So, we started Storyocity, where we’re forever in love with art and cinema.

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
We underwent a pretty substantial metamorphosis when creating Storyocity. Our reputation was brand new all over again and we had to redefine both our process as well as the type of clients we worked with.

Through the initial growth and change, we wound up getting pinched financially – facing down two weeks’ worth of cash in the account for business and home. We had to let our team go at the time. It was hard.

So we had to make the decision – continue to pursue the dream, or turn tail, and get a job somewhere.

It took us the better part of a year to dig out of that hole. I even delivered pizza on the weekend to help make ends meet. I’ve got some white in my beard to show for it.

But it paid off.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Storyocity?
Storyocity is a direction & design studio — a collective of filmmakers & artists trying to make something.

Through the years we’ve predominantly worked in advertising for our clients, but have aimed to blend the worlds of advertising and filmmaking.

To put our money where our mouth is, in January of 2022, we pursued our first serious original project.

We traveled to Kakamega, Kenya (16,632 Total Miles) to create a ~40 minute documentary named “Waterpot.” The film is step into Martha Akumu’s life: a woman who has endured her entire 50 years without access to clean water and the domino effect it has taken on every aspect of her life.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
My wife and I have seen some real pain in the world. In fact, we wanted to become full time missionaries. The traditional model would require relying on other people’s support.

And the trouble for me was – if we were to head out in the traditional “poor missionary” sense, and I wanted to meet someone’s need (especially financially), I would have to appeal to others for help. What an inefficient way to go at it.

So we started a company that was dual-purposed – I could carve out a living as a creative, and simultaneously become a check writer that could help bring about change to other people’s lives and communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: Storyocity.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyocity/