David Seman is an established director and DP with extensive experience in commercials, television production and promotional programs. His credits include the feature films “With a Family Like Mine,” “DejaVu” with Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, “Spirit of the Marathon”; “Innoventions” in HiDef for Epcot Center Disney World; commercials for Sony PS2 Britney Spears Dance Beat game in HiDef, The Chicago Bulls, Debakey Heart Institute, Edwards Hospitals, American Mattress; corporate image/marketing programs for Harley-Davidson, Discover Card, Kraft, Gatorade and Wheaties International promotions both featuring Michael Jordan, Dunlop Tires Japan featuring Dennis Rodman, “Pain and Infertility” with Pam Dawber, ABC’s “The 20th Century Project,” NBC’s “Friday Night,” PBS, American Movie Classics, Black Entertainment Television, Bill Moyers, Connie Chung, Barbara Walters, and a variety for HBO, including the “Indy500,” “The Fraser/Ali Fight: 25th Anniversary,” the “History of the AFL,” and “Sports Goes to the Movies,” National Geographic’s “Explorers,” Spielberg’s project “Survivors of the Shoah” and Chicago segments for FOX’s Michael Moore series, “TV Nation.” Seman has received numerous awards, including a Peabody, Telly Award, Cindy and two Emmys — one for technical design. His photos are in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s permanent collection.

How many years have you been a judge?

This is my first year!

What are your responsibilities in your current role and what do you love most about your job?

Interface, travel, people, behind-the-scenes access to stars, kings, queens, presidents.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

Boy Scouts.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

Grip with Joe Sedelmaier. Do what the director wants because efficiency isn’t always the target.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

Interesting sound, composition, color, and timing or lack of.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

The oddball travel show “Wild Travels.”

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

Satisfy the clients in all their wacky ways.

What excites you about judging for the Telly Awards?

Next-gen creators and technologies.