We were lucky to catch up with Dontavious Shuler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Dontavious, appreciate you joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

I founded my business, Dontavious Shuler Studios, as part of a therapeutic journey that allowed me to navigate my personal challenges and engage in self-discovery. In 2023, I experienced a profound loss with the passing of a beloved aunt, which significantly impacted my emotional well-being. During this difficult time, I was in a relationship that I believed was ideally supportive; however, I found myself feeling unsupported. This led to the end of our relationship, which compounded my grief by feeling like I was mourning two losses simultaneously.

The film industry also faced a downturn, creating additional financial strain, and a disagreement with a close friend led to personal isolation. Throughout this challenging period, I found myself drawing closer to God than ever before. As I faced these trials, He sent friends into my life who encouraged me to rely on my faith. They urged me to read my Bible and find solace in the scriptures during moments of despair. I believe God orchestrated my isolation so that I could lean solely on Him during this season, which ultimately strengthened my faith.

It was in that period of solitude that I felt God reassuring me that my aunt was at peace and that my ex-girlfriend had come into my life for a reason—specifically, to guide me back to Him. After our breakup, my ex and I had an open conversation where we both expressed reluctance to part ways. Without prompting, she shared that during my absence, she felt God telling her that our chapter together was drawing to a close, emphasizing that she had fulfilled her purpose in my life by reconnecting me with my faith. This pivotal moment prompted me to step into my identity, recognizing the importance of seeking divine guidance rather than relying on others for encouragement or validation.

As I processed these experiences, I turned to journaling, allowing me to articulate my thoughts and emotions. Months later, while cleaning, I rediscovered my journal along with poetry inspired by my struggles, which sparked the idea to create my film, *Echoes*. This project aims to showcase the repercussions of unaddressed childhood trauma and its lasting impact on adult life.

With the creation of *Echoes*, I officially launched Dontavious Shuler Studios. Although I didn’t have substantial financial resources, I possessed unwavering faith, access to essential gear, and a robust foundation in God. I approached the project with the mindset of learning as I went along, focusing on progress rather than perfection. I enlisted my friends Mikenzie and Christia to help with production, and together we gathered support from our friends and industry associates who believed in our vision.

I reached out to another friend, Claude, who provided lighting and equipment for the shoot. While I needed actors, I found friends with a passion for acting who matched the characters I’d written, and I offered them points on the back end with the goal of distributing the film on Tubi.

In the indie film space, I connected with Ryan, a director with more experience, who kindly guided me through the filmmaking process. We shot for two weeks in August 2024. However, after filming, I faced the daunting task of editing. Although I was confident in my directing abilities, editing proved to be a more complex challenge. Initially, I partnered with another friend who was a skilled editor, but after an injury, he could no longer continue.

Undeterred, I turned once again to YouTube University for guidance. With the help of resources and support from a fellow shooter and video editor, I managed to complete the edit. Following Ryan’s recommendation, I leveraged FilmHud, and with that, Dontavious Shuler Studios was officially launched.

Now, I am in a place of clarity and strength, ready to share my story and facilitate discussions surrounding healing and self-discovery through the art of film.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Dontavious Shuler, part of an Emmy-winning team known for my work on the acclaimed series “Drive”, where I had the privilege to collaborate with industry stalwart Swizz Beatz. With over a decade of experience in the television and film industry, I’ve made my mark across various genres, including narrative, reality, and commercial productions as well as content creation.

My journey has taken me through a variety of projects, including popular shows like *Housewives*, *Love and Marriage*, *The Challenge*, *Real World*, *The Rap Game*, and *Love and Hip Hop*. I’ve had the honor of working with prominent names in entertainment such as Alicia Keys, Dougie Fresh, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael Cox, Usher, Shaquille O’Neal, Ludacris, and even former President Barack Obama. I’ve collaborated with major networks like Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, Lifetime, MTV, WE tv, VH1, CMT, and OWN, revealing my adaptability in this ever-evolving industry.

As a proud military veteran who served in the U.S. Navy, my roots trace back to the small town of Cairo, Georgia. After my service, I realized I couldn’t return home without being drawn back into old patterns. Instead, I took a leap of faith and moved to Atlanta to live with my friend Jose. During this transformative phase, I actively sought out opportunities, which led to a life-changing experience—a humorous audition that opened the door to the entertainment world.

Through the years, I honed my skills and developed a deep passion for filmmaking. Eventually, I founded “Dontavious Shuler Studios”, a company born from my self discovery experiences and the desire to create relatable content. This company is a testament to the incredible relationships I’ve built with my friends. Our passion for storytelling and our collaborative spirit culminated in my first independent film. This experience ignited a fire within us and showed us that together, we could bring our shared visions to life.

My unwavering faith in God is at the core of what drives me. It gives me the courage to take risks and pushes me to look deep within myself, ensuring that my vision aligns with my purpose. This faith empowers me to share my aspirations with family and friends and push towards my goals with confidence.

One project I am especially proud of is “Echoes” Watching my idea evolve from a life experience to concept to a finished product on television was a powerful reminder of what can happen when you put God first and friends unite. Together, we exemplified the strength and potential that arises from collaboration, faith, and hard work.

With over a decade of experience under my belt, I’m committed to producing visual content that inspires and uplifts. I firmly believe that every challenge can be transformed into an opportunity, and every dream can get closer to reality when we summon the courage to take that leap of faith.

Through “Dontavious Shuler Studios”, I invite others to join me on this incredible journey of storytelling, creativity, and empowerment. Together, we can create meaningful content that resonates with audiences and uplifts the human spirit.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most fulfilling aspect of my creative work lies in the ability to articulate my perception of reality, allowing viewers to engage with and experience events or situations from alternative perspectives.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My journey thus far serves as a powerful testament to my unwavering faith and determination. After leaving the military forcefully without a clear plan, I found myself navigating various jobs in search of the right fit, often struggling to make ends meet. Despite the challenges of securing work in the industry—meeting professionals who offered opportunities out of town, all while managing to pay my rent—I embraced the experience.

I often drove to unfamiliar cities, living out of my car and utilizing truck stops for showers. There were moments when the weather was harsh, but each experience fueled my passion. The crucial realization for me was that, despite the hardships, I didn’t feel like I was working; rather.

At the time, I may not have known much, but I was steadfast in my belief that perseverance would yield results. I kept my head down, focused on my goals, and continued to work hard, confident that something meaningful would eventually emerge from my efforts.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @dontaviousshuler
• Facebook: Dontavious Shuler

Image Credits

Tremaine Hamilton for the main title photos

Set stills T.O