What is the thing I love best about my work?

The thing I love most about my work is the freedom and flexibility to pursue subjects I’m passionate about – and create films around them.

My last feature documentary: Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War, allowed me to dive deeply into the complex world of commercial poaching and explore, through the female lens, the courage they show in risking all to defend endangered species. I learned first-hand, how this ruthless, illegal industry is devastating Africa’s ecology and robbing us of its breathtaking landscapes & iconic wildlife.

What is my idea of happiness?

My idea of happiness is completing a creative project I’ve poured my heart and soul into, sharing the final product with everyone involved – and then releasing it into the world.

What is my greatest fear?

My greatest fear is that humankind has seen the very best of itself. That, from here on out, we just devolve. In my current film, Open Secret, I was invited into the heinous subject of child sexual assaults and systemic discrimination in schools. I spend my days trying to understand why hundreds of adults lack the courage to speak up, and instead, protect predators over children – for decades. We used to say, “It takes a village,” now it seems to be, “If it’s not my problem, then it’s not my problem,” My greatest fear is that this is who we are becoming as a species.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I most deplore the trait that makes me compulsively say yes to requests, instead of waiting, thinking things through and then truly deciding what I actually want to do.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

I straddle two professions equally: film and philanthropy. In film there are so many, I admire Aaron Sorkin, Idris Elba, Taylor Sheridan, Morgan Freeman, and Guillermo del Toro to name a few. In philanthropy, again, so many, but I most admire the Queen of conservation, Jane Goodall, Petronel Nieuwoudt, Nicci Wright, and Hong Hoang.

What is my greatest extravagance?

I could have gone in so many directions with this question! When I drill down, I think my greatest extravagance is in owning my time and schedule, not having to report to a boss.

On what occasion would I lie?

Hmmm. I might not outright lie, but I would bend the truth to prevent unnecessarily hurting a friend’s feelings.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

The thing I most dislike in my work is that moment in the project when I hit a wall; usually a creative challenge, and I don’t know what to do. My solution is to fall back on my mantra, “trust in the process,” but I dislike that it happens on every project!

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

In my work, I generally feel that I am happiest right now. I was very happy as Nicole Kidman’s Executive Assistant, travelling overseas to work on films, studying with three Masters of Film, (Nicole, Tom Cruise and Stanley Kubrick). Some of my best friends today are those I worked alongside, during my time with them. “Happiest” is complicated and comparing apples to oranges in my many work phases. I was also extremely happy during my first research trip to Africa after launching OverAndAboveAfrica.com. I’m usually happy in general with my work. It’s a gift to make films of my own choosing and I do not take it for granted.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

A dear friend of mine once said to me; “the difference between you and me is that you believe people when they say they’re going to do something, and I believe them only when they’ve done it” She felt that I was disappointed by people more often than she was, and she was right. I am too quick to trust people at face value. I would change that if I could, but it seems to be innate.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

My greatest achievement in my philanthropic work is our current project, our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in South Africa. It’s not just our largest and costliest project to date, it’s knowing how many lives it will save and rehabilitate over the coming years. The positive impact it will have in the community and for other local veterinarians. In my film work, my greatest achievement was creating my award-winning documentary: Breaking Their Silence: Women on the Frontline of the Poaching War.

Where would I most like to live?

I would most like to live on a ranch, with a lake, create a wildlife sanctuary for all animals, somewhere like Colorado, Montana or Wyoming. Lots of wide-open space.

What is my most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession currently, is my home.

What is my most marked characteristic?

My most marked characteristic, is that I’m overly positive!

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

I don’t live in a city, so currently, the most inspirational location near me is Saxapahaw. There is a delightful river trail through the woods, and I’m always inspired after a trek with my dog and some friends.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

My favorite place to eat and drink currently, is Fearington House, a hotel in Fearington Village with a bar that has a lovely ambience, like an English pub, and their restaurant has a Michelin star. There’s a lush green paddock next to the hotel that’s home to belted cows, goats and free-range chickens. The whole village was transplanted decades ago from England to sunny North Carolina.

What books influenced my life and how?

Anna Sewell’s, “Black Beauty” was probably the first book that influenced me. I remember sobbing inconsolably when Black Beauty’s friend, Ginger died. I attribute my intense empathy for animals to that book, which is narrated from the horse’s perspective. It formed my opinion that every living being feels and has emotions. “A Million Little Pieces” by James Frey shattered me. It was a testament to how much the human spirit could endure and overcome. Fortunately, I read it as an autobiography, long before it was determined to be a work of fiction. Eckhardt Tolle’s “The Power of Now” still influences me today. It’s calming when life overwhelms me, reminds me all we ever have is now. The future never arrives, and the past is gone forever.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

If we only die once (which I’m not sold on!), and I could only listen to music from one artist on my last day, it would be every album by Post Malone.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

My heroines in fiction are Scarlett O’Hara and Katniss Everdeen. Strong, resilient, independent women. Survivors.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

In real life my hero is my brother, Myles David, army Captain, retired.

Which movie would I recommend seeing once in a lifetime?

I would recommend that everybody sees The Notebook, at least once in their lifetime.

What role stories play in my life and work?

Stories play an enormous role in my life and work. As a filmmaker, a writer, a creative, stories are everything. Stories are how I process life. How I determined my values, life lessons, morals, courage, valor, strength, resilience, humor, compassion – they are all delivered through the stories I watch and stories I tell. In my documentaries, it’s how I communicate what’s important to me, how I feel about issues. For me, stories are the ultimate connection.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

You are the storyteller of your own life, to me, means that whatever path we have chosen up to now, we have the power to continue along it, or change it at will. Once, when I was young, my family and I had stopped at a service station café for a meal and my father was telling me off about something. I remember feeling embarrassed. So, I read the place mat in front of me, over and over. It read; “Do not follow where the path leads. Go, instead, away from the path and leave a trail”. It became a short story in my mind – the story of my life.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

In 2015 I launched OverAndAboveAfrica.com. I sent a newsletter out to as many email addresses as I could. I don’t remember how many, but many were shared with me by friends. A man, Robert Vitale, wrote back to me asking how I found his email address, and asked me to call him. I didn’t research him, I just called. He asked me what I intended to do with Over and Above Africa and at the end of the call, we had determined who had shared his email (thank you Beth!) and ending the call he said, “My wife and I will sponsor you at a conservative level to start, and if you do what you say you’ll do with O&AA, we will become your biggest sponsors.” Next year it will be ten years later, and Robert and Janice were the major sponsors of our Wildlife Rehabilitation Center! He was true to his word, he is my greatest sponsor – and I now also get to call him friend.

Which people or companies would I like to work with?

I would love to work with Ken Burns, Michael Moore, and Barack and Michelle Obama’s, “Higher Grounds”

What project am I looking forward to work on?

I’m looking forward to working on a comedy. My last three projects have been emotionally, very heavy. I think I’m due to produce a broad comedy, or a lighthearted romantic comedy – a much needed breath of fresh air.

Where can you see me or my work?

You can see me and my work on IMDB.com, or my website, KDCandFilms.com and Over and Above Africa.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

The words “Passion Never Retires” to me, means you have found that special thing in life that was meant for you. That you are ‘in a state of flow’ with it because it’s a passion. Meaning, you don’t ever need to retire from it since it also feeds your soul.

Which creative heroines should Peter invite to tell their story?
Kathy Eldon
Felicity Huffman

How can you contact me? Producer.grl@gmail.com