Dan Parks grew up in Ligonier, Indiana and moved about the area. His parents were Lloyd and Jean Parks.

Dan attended West Noble High School, then went on to Huntington College, earning a Bachelors in Communications, specializing in radio, television, and film. He then went to Indiana University/Purdue University for a teaching license and a Masters degree in Secondary Education. Then he attended Western Governors University for his School Administrator license.

In high school, Dan saw a high school play and decided he wanted to try it. He was in every play and performed in many of the plays at Huntington University. He also acted in a number of independent films. While teaching English at a high school, Dan wondered why there hadn't been a movie version of Gene Stratton-Porter's At the Foot of the Rainbow. He decided to make it. This was followed by the movie Camp Tough Love. Dan hopes to continue creating or helping others create their movies.