We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dom Olivo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dom below.

Hi Dom, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on began as a bit of a mystery. I auditioned for an unknown “background role” with very little information provided. Despite not knowing much about the opportunity, I decided to go for it. When I booked the role, I was thrilled to discover that it was a motion capture project with ILM for an upcoming Paramount Pictures production. As someone who grew up doing theater, performing on a motion capture stage as a creature/character had always been a dream of mine, but I never knew how to break into that field. You never know what something may turn into – and that’s the magic of rolling the dice and auditioning and putting yourself out there.

As the project neared its start, I learned that I would be performing mocap for Bumblebee in the upcoming Transformers One film. This revelation made the experience even more meaningful. I got to work alongside three other talented motion capture performers and an incredible director, bringing a beloved character to life. This role was particularly unique because Bumblebee’s voice was performed by Keegan-Michael Key. I had to not only memorize Bumblebee’s lines but also emulate the way Keegan-Michael Key delivered them, as I was responsible for the facial capture and movements that dictated Bumblebee’s performance. It was a challenging yet incredibly rewarding process, blending my theater background with this high-tech form of performance capture. Working alongside the creatives at ILM and the production team at Paramount was incredible. These are the kind of moments that make the whole pursuit that much more meaningful.

Dom, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi! I’m Dom! I am a SAG-AFTRA actor, comedian, VO, & motion capture performer based in California. I love the outdoors, live music events, beatboxing, & general hijinx.

I received my B.F.A. in acting from UC Santa Barbara, and have since worked on a variety of films, commercials, and comedic productions. I love improv comedy and try to incorporate a bit of improvisation into all of my performances.

Recently,
– I was lead on a Tahoe Blue vodka commercial that aired during the Superbowl
– I performed motion capture for the role of Bumblebee (voiced by Keegan-Michael Key) in the Paramount Pictures production of Transformers One
– I was cast in a feature titled Blessing & True that we shot in Switzerland in April 2024 by Something 2 Say Productions — stay tuned!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the greatest rewards come from the unknown and the unpredictable. In everyday life, I’ve always felt a strong urge to resist the mundane and immerse myself in new experiences, crafts, and collaborations. This drive has led me to explore a variety of creative pursuits like voiceover, standup comedy, music, sketch writing, and producing short films. In acting, especially, facing rejection day after day has been an invaluable teacher in building resilience. I’ve come to accept that I won’t book the majority of projects I audition for, but the few I do can open doors to new creative adventures.

There’s a captivating mystery in putting yourself out there, not knowing exactly where it might lead. Some projects might go nowhere, but with commitment, practice, and dedication, others can lead to new heights and unexpected discoveries. It’s all about remaining curious and embracing the journey. Even when things don’t pan out, the real reward lies in working alongside incredibly creative people, gaining new perspectives, and exploring what it means to be human.

Refining and expanding my means of self-expression is deeply fulfilling, and I’ll never stop pursuing acting. Life may throw curveballs or demand that I shift my focus temporarily, but I know I can always return to acting—whether on screen or stage. Collaborating on creative projects is profoundly rewarding, and the thrill of the unknown keeps me captivated. It’s not about reaching a specific destination but about embracing the journey itself.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

Honestly, I have no idea what NFTs are. I mean, I know they’re like… digital art? Or maybe it’s like the modern-day equivalent of collecting Beanie Babies, except now they live on the internet and you can’t cuddle them.

I’m like a supportive parent at a tech convention—I don’t understand what’s going on, but I’m cheering you on from the sidelines. I’m just truly genuinely happy to be here.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.domolivo.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domolivo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dom.olivo/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominicolivo/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DomOlivo
• Other: 🌲 LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/domolivo
  😎 Commercial Reel (1 Min): https://youtu.be/eCjNfQdrVqM
  🙎 Theatrical Reel (1 Min): https://youtu.be/vqN5S3jnojk
  🤣 Comedy Reel (1 Min): https://youtu.be/CROhpFj0rGU
  🎬 Casting Networks Profile: app.castingnetworks.com/talent/public-profile/domolivo
  🎥 Actors Access Profile: https://resumes.actorsaccess.com/domolivo
  🎬 IMDB: https://www.imdb.me/dominicolivo💙 Thank you so much!