David Altschul

Athlete, Change Agent, Consultant, Educator/Teacher, Entrepreneur, Filmmaker, Marketer, Parent, Producer, Writer/Editor

DAVID ALTSCHUL: David has a degree in history and economics from the University of Chicago but started his professional career as a filmmaker. He gaffed, shot, edited and produced on everything from feature films (like The Undercover Girl with Connie Stevens) to rock and roll documentaries (he toured with Heart in West Texas and Japan) to television commercials (he produced all the California Raisin spots) and even an animated feature (The Adventures of Mark Twain). David joined Will Vinton Studios in 1982 and built their commercial production business into the longest running and most successful animation company in commercial production by focusing on superb character animation. In 1998, as part of the continuing effort to bring unique value to his clients, David began the focused synthesis and exploration of his experiences with successful characters that eventually resulted in his invention of Character LLC, which applies the principles of story and character to analyze brands as characters in the drama of their category. David is president and founder of Character, and he's been to almost every TED since 1994.

Story as a tool for understanding the world and conflict as the engine that drives story.

A character in a story whose only objective is success for its own sake is generally the villain. A company whose only objective to make money for its shareholders will generally fail both its customers and its shareholders.

Managing Creative People, Marketing, Rock Climbing, Sailing, small business, Story

I started coming to TED in the mid-1990's. I got TED fatigue a few years ago and skipped 2007 and 2008, but I returned in 2009 and I am more enthusiastic and committed than ever.

Skiing backwards and shooting film uphill.