Meet Dashawn Holmes

We were lucky to catch up with Dashawn Holmes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dashawn, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

I built my confidence the moment I realized I was watching my life slip through my fingers.
Opportunities would come, and I’d hesitate. Fear would creep in—”What if I fail? What if it’s a waste of time? What if it doesn’t work out?” And so, I’d stay still. The world kept moving, but I didn’t. Days turned into regrets. Moments I could have seized became memories of what could have been.
Then, one day, I had enough. Enough of watching doors close before I even tried to open them. Enough of lying awake at night wishing I had just gone for it.
So, I made a deal with myself: I would start doing.
I wanted to make more friends, but I was afraid to talk to people. Alright—talk to one person a day. Just small talk. Nothing huge, just start.
There was a girl I wanted to ask out. Fear told me not to. But then I asked myself—”What happens if I don’t?” I knew the answer: regret. So, I did it. We ended up together for three years. It didn’t last, but that wasn’t the point. I did it.
I wanted to work with people on creative projects, but I told myself, “I don’t have enough experience. They’ll say no.” But what if they said yes? The only way to know was to ask. Now, I’ve worked with hundreds of people—because each project led to another, then another, and suddenly, I was in motion.
That’s the mindset I adopted: If I do it, I get my answer. If I don’t, I get regret.
And regret will always feel worse than failure. Always.
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s built—brick by brick, moment by moment, risk by risk. You won’t always win. Sometimes, you’ll get hurt. Sometimes, things won’t go your way. But that’s life. And the point isn’t to be fearless—the point is to be brave enough to move despite the fear. Because on the other side of action is growth. And on the other side of regret? Nothing but the haunting thought of what if?
I refuse to live in what if. And you shouldn’t either.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m a 19-year-old aspiring filmmaker with a relentless dream—to stand among the greats and revolutionize the film industry with bold, visionary storytelling.
Movies, to me, are more than just entertainment. They are experiences, living, breathing works of art that have the power to transport, unsettle, inspire, and leave an imprint on the soul. I thrive on creating stories that are unforgettable—mind-bending visuals that warp reality, emotional rollercoasters that make your heart pound, gut-wrenching horror that lingers long after the credits roll. I want audiences to feel every frame, to walk away changed.
But filmmaking isn’t a solo mission. I’m in the process of building a powerhouse team of creatives—writers, directors, cinematographers, and visionaries—who share the same hunger for storytelling. Together, we’re not just making films; we’re crafting experiences that will be remembered, dissected, and felt for years to come.
Right now, I have major projects in the works, including an upcoming film that we’re pushing to get written and funded before Halloween. And that’s just the beginning. More films, more projects, more groundbreaking stories are on the horizon.
This is more than a career—it’s a movement. And I refuse to create anything that doesn’t shake the audience to their core.
Stay tuned. The revolution is just beginning.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities have been the most impactful in shaping my journey:
1. Learning to Be Rejected
Rejection is inevitable. In this industry—and in life—you’re going to hear no more times than you can count. It stings. It makes you question yourself. But what most people don’t realize is that no isn’t the end—it’s an invitation to improve. Every rejection is a mirror, showing you where you can grow. Instead of letting it defeat you, let it drive you. Study your work. Fix the flaws. Experiment. Adapt. A no today doesn’t mean no forever. The people who succeed aren’t the ones who avoid rejection; they’re the ones who use it as fuel to become undeniable.
2. Discipline Over Desire
A lot of people want success. They want to get better. But wanting and doing are two completely different things. The path to mastery is paved with boring, repetitive, uncomfortable work. It’s easy to show up when you feel inspired—but what about when you don’t? True progress comes from pushing through the moments when motivation fades. Discipline is what separates those who dream from those who do. If you want something, you have to earn it. That means embracing the discomfort, putting yourself out there, and grinding through the parts that seem mundane—because over time, the hard things you once struggled with will become second nature.
3. The Relentless Pursuit of Learning
Mastery isn’t a finish line. Just because you understand the basics doesn’t mean you’re done—because the world keeps evolving, and if you stop learning, you’ll get left behind. The best in the game stay students forever. They adapt. They absorb. They refine their craft over and over again. Learning isn’t always fun, and sometimes it feels like you’re collecting knowledge you’ll never use—but everything has a purpose. Every skill you gain, every lesson you learn, every technique you master—it all adds to your arsenal, making you more valuable, more creative, and more unstoppable.
Advice for Those Starting Out
Don’t fear rejection—use it. Every no is a step closer to a yes.
Do the work, even when it’s boring. The process isn’t always exciting, but it’s always necessary.
Never stop learning. The moment you think you know everything is the moment you start falling behind.
If you want something bad enough, you won’t just hope for it—you’ll chase it relentlessly, through the failures, the doubts, and the obstacles. Because in the end, the people who make it aren’t the ones who had the easiest path. They’re the ones who refused to stop walking.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

I believe in going all in on your strengths while gradually improving your weaknesses through small, intentional challenges. Your strengths are your foundation—the things that set you apart, that make your work uniquely yours. The more you sharpen them, the faster you grow. But that doesn’t mean abandoning your weaknesses; it means integrating them strategically so they don’t hold you back.
For me, horror and action are my bread and butter. That’s where my storytelling thrives. But comedy and romance? Those have always been my biggest weaknesses. Instead of forcing myself to write entire scripts focused on something I struggle with, I weave small moments of comedy and romance into my horror and action films. A tense horror scene might have a subtle, darkly humorous line. A high-stakes action sequence might carry an undercurrent of romantic tension. By doing this, I’m not just ignoring my weak points—I’m keeping them with me, refining them bit by bit, using them to enhance what I already do well.
This approach works because it allows you to keep evolving without losing momentum. If you pour everything into your strengths while gradually leveling up your weaknesses, they stop being limitations and start becoming assets. Over time, what once held you back becomes part of your skill set, something you can call on when needed.
The key is balance. Focus on what makes you great—but don’t ignore what could make you even better

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realdashawnholmes/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BunnBukoProduction