David Bates, Jr. is a Director, Video Producer, Videographer, and Editor based in New York City, known for live/on-the-scene storytelling—moving fast, filming in real spaces, and cutting for emotion and humor. He’s been creating work online since the mid-1990s (he grabbed davidjr.com in 1995).

Currently experimenting with AI—human-led, AI-assisted—to push new film, music, and visuals.

His work spans experimental shorts, music videos, portraits and interviews, documentary pieces, and commercial campaigns. He received Interview Magazine’s Web Superstar “Award for Making People Talk” and Billboard’s “Music on the Move” (best live music videos in the US). Clients and collaborators include IBM, W Magazine, Starburst Candy, MTV, Capital One, Acura, MSN, Puma, JetBlue, and K*Swiss. His projects have featured conversations with artists and actors such as Christian Slater and Robert Wilson. Early in his career his work was spotlighted by Interview Magazine (founded by Andy Warhol).

Bates’ projects have been exhibited internationally with Streaming Museum and partnering organizations across seven continents—including Hong Kong, Macau, Dubai, Kvínesdal, Bucharest, Johannesburg, Antarctica, Toronto, São Paulo, Split, Melbourne, Sydney, New York City—and on 23 BBC public screens throughout the UK. His video NFT “Her Way” was featured in the audience-award-winning official SXSW metaverse by Ristband in 2023.

From Times Square to Seoul—and on rooftops, streets, and stories in between—Bates says, “Just put yourself out there and see where the Velcro sticks.”

davidjrdotcom@gmail.com