Graduating from the University of Oregon, David initially received a post-graduate scholarship from the renowned American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco to pursue a career in theater, television and film.2011-2012, David's screenplay The Black Tulip mounted production in one of the most dangerous places in the world, Kabul Afghanistan. Officially selected as Afghanistan's designated Academy Award Oscar entry for best Foreign Film, the Black Tulip went on to win the prestigious "Freedom to Write Award", Best Feature at the Salento International Festival, Boston International, and top honors at the Beverly Hills International Film Fest.David's interests in screenwriting came a number of years earlier when his first ever-written adapted screenplay, Jack London's period epoch, "Martin Eden" was purchased by Academy Award Winning, Panorama Film's International, Just Betzer. Panorama subsequently hired O'Neill and contracted David to write three more adapted works. The first would be of famed author, William Wharton's Last Lovers.(Birdy, Dad, Once Upon a Midnight Clear) Traveling to Paris and working directly with the author on his houseboat convinced Betzer of O'Neill's commitment and capabilities. "Marilyn" the novel by Danish novelist Hans Lembourne, the story of his own love affair with the American icon, would be O'Neill's next assignment. Once that delivery was made, ultimately it would be Betzer's own, prized Academy Award Winning Babette's Feast (Isaak Denison - Out of Africa) that would be David's next welcomed assignment. Trusting the relationship, Betzer contracted O'Neill to scribe the English version of his own 1986 Academy Award Winning prized piece.Once his work had been completed and delivered for Panaroma, David was given his next assignment with Santa Monica Pictures. It was there where he was contracted to write period epoch Lady Godiva. Traveling throughout Europe for his extensive research David was then asked to be on staff with the Santa Monica team and provide services for the next two and half years.David then penned the Pulitzer nominated Richard Jessup's novel Threat for Nick Cassavetes, Charlie Sheen and Return of the Jedi Producer Howard Kazanjian and Ventura Films.Ultimately focusing on his desire to direct, O'Neill then went on to write and direct his next two independent feature films i.e., Five Aces (distributed by 20th Century Fox) starring Charlie Sheen and Player 5150 (distributed by First Look Studios) starring Chris McDonald, Bob Gunton, Ethan Embry and Kathleen Robertson.