David Tarleton
Filmmaker · Professor · Chair

David
Tarleton

A filmmaker who tells stories, and helps others tell theirs.

Emmy-nominated producer, director and editor for features, television, documentary and new media, and Chair of Film & Media Arts at Syracuse University.

Producer/Director/Editor/Educator

Currently In postproduction on Mantra, with Spiral up for two Emmy Awards and on its festival run.

Portrait of David Tarleton
David Tarleton
Emmy
3× Nominated
Webby
Award Winner
Telly
Multiple Wins
200+
Productions
Still from the Emmy-nominated film Spiral
Featured · Short Film · Emmy Nominated

Spiral

A college student moves through a mental-health crisis, in a drama made in collaboration with students. Two 2026 Emmy nominations.

Producer · Co-Director · DP · Editor · Tarleton / Dawn
Explore the film →
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Selected Work

All films →
Still from Identity

Identity

02
Producer · Co-Director · Editor
Short · Emmy Nominated
Still from the film Karen

Karen

03
Producer · Co-Director · Editor
Short · Telly Award
Still from Hunter

Hunter

04
Producer · Director
Feature · Best Horror
The Yo Gabba GabbaLand! characters on set

Yo Gabba GabbaLand!

05
Segment Director
Apple TV+ · Children's Series
Still from Dark Secrets

Dark Secrets

06
Producer · Director
3D Series · 3Net
David Tarleton with Statler and Waldorf

Statler & Waldorf

07
Editor · Post Supervisor
Webby Winner · Disney
David Tarleton directing on the set of Unsafe
On set of Unsafe, a Kids Matter short
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Teaching & Leadership

The studio and the seminar, made one.

As Chair of Film and Media Arts at Syracuse University, David leads one of the country's top-ranked film programs, and makes award-winning films hand in hand with the students he teaches.

Syracuse UniversityChair & Professor, Film & Media Arts
M.F.A. Cinema-TelevisionUniversity of Southern California
PreviouslyDir. of Graduate Programs, Columbia College Chicago
More on teaching →
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Get in touch View all work
David Tarleton and Adria Dawn framing a shot