Background
She was born and died in Los Angeles, California.
She was born and died in Los Angeles, California.
She wrote for more than 50 films between 1914 and 1930, and directed 14 films between 1917 and 1920. Park got her start in the entertainment industry as a stage actress when she was fifteen years old. When Pathé hired De Grasse in 1909, Park was also hired as a writer
Together they were hired by Universal.
The first screenplay that she wrote was titled A Gypsy Romance which was developed into a short scenario by director Wallace Reid. Reid also directed the next scenario that she wrote, The Manitoba Within.
Park then started to work with De Grasse who directed the next several pieces that she wrote. The two worked on multiple shorts and scenarios together over several years.
Their first joint project was the short Her Bounty (1914), and their first feature-length film was Father and The Boys (1915).
Most of the titles that the two worked on together were for Universal"s Bluebird label. Park made her solo directorial debut in 1917 when she directed The Flashlight starring Universal"s top dramatic actress Dorothy Phillips. After this picture, she and DeGrasse took turns directing Bluebird projects featuring Phillips.
She went on to direct 13 more films, many of which were deemed "women"s features".
Park and De Grasse continued at Universal Studios until 1919 when they left for unknown reasons. These were the last of Park"s directorial credits.
De Grasse continued to direct for a few more years while Park continued to write for the screen. She wrote an additional two films before she left the industry altogether.
The last feature film that she wrote was The Playthings of Hollywood (1931), for Willis Kent Productions.
Ida May Park died on June 13, 1954.