Virtually unknown screenwriter of low-budget films ("Open House" and "Terminal Entry" both 1987) whose screenplay for "Radio Flyer", a drama about child abuse, created a bidding war among Hollywood studios before Michael Douglas' Stonebridge Entertainment and Columbia Pictures purchased the hot property in 1989 for an estimated $1.1 million. As part of the sale, Evans was to make his debut directing the film as well, but early in production was replaced by veteran action/adventure director Richard Donner and his producer-wife Lauren Shuler-Donner who replaced the initial cast and after test screenings added a more upbeat ending, resulting in what was dubbed an innately noncommercial "expensive flop" and the "first feel-good movie about child abuse." Evans was executive producer of the film. He made his belated directorial debut with "The Sandlot" (1993), a nostalgic tale of childhood and baseball.
- Also Credited As:
David M. Evans
- Born:
in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
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Job Titles:
Screenwriter, Director, Executive producer, Bartender, Phone installer, Security guard
Education
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Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, film arts, screenwriting, MA
Milestones
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1987 First screenplays filmed Open House and Terminal Entry
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1989 Was paid an estimated $1.1 million for both his screenplay for Radio Flyer and the chance to direct it; production shut down in June 1989 after 10 days of shooting; Michael Douglas replaced Evans with veteran director Richard Donner
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1992 Executive produced Radio Flyer
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1993 Feature directorial debut, The Sandlot
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1996 Directed the Disney feature First Kid starring Sinbad
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1996 Helmed the comedy Ed, starring Matt LeBlanc
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2003 Helmed the adult-themed, After School Special
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2005 Helmed the direct to video The Sandlot 2
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2007 Directed The Final Season, about the fabled Norway, Iowa baseball team, which won an astonishing 20 state championships
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Began writing fiction as a young boy
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Had worked on over 20 scripts, doing rewrites and development
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Worked way through college as a bartender, security guard and phone installer
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Wrote first script about South African leader Steven Biko during his first year in college