Today we’d like to introduce you to Dominique Walton.
Hi Dominique, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
How I got started is a story I tell more than often now. I was 28 years old at the time and I been a mechanic for 13 or so years and I started thinking about if that’s what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. So, I started thinking about the things I enjoyed doing in life which were working out, traveling and learning new things. Like many people I know, I absolutely loved the movie Mr & Mrs. Smith starring Angelia Jolie & Brad Pitt. The whole storyline was great but what got me into stunts was the fight scene they had in the kitchen. After watching that movie numerous times, I just knew I could do that and so I looked up how to become a stunt performer. There are many ways to get into that career, I chose to attend the International Stunt School in Seattle, WA where I completed 2 courses last year in 2021. And it was the dopest, most best decision I ever made! After completing that school, I decided to move to Atlanta, GA to pursue that career. It’s truly been a journey since I’ve moved and I’ve enjoyed every single moment of it!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Anyone who says this has been a smooth road needs to write a book because I would love to read it! The struggle has been very much real! Training as much as possible, hustling (as they call it) as much as possible, figuring out how to maintain your bills and balance life when you are putting 110% of yourself of your time into this career. Anything that is new and especially worth having comes with a price. But I would do it all again if I have to! I am still very new to stunts, still very new to the film industry and it has had its high and low moments. I’ve gone to numerous auditions, submitted for parts and haven’t made the cut, other times don’t get a callback. It can be discouraging but the times when I land a gig or hear that “you did a great” makes everything so worth it. I’ve had moments where I said to myself, “maybe this isn’t for me” but the love I have for it keeps me going. I would honestly say my biggest struggle has been being ok with taking a day off, I always tell myself I need to train or I should be doing this or that. Knowing and making myself have a rest day has certainly been my biggest struggle because I truly want to do my very best and want to be prepared for anything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a diesel technician; I work on 18-wheelers. I have been a diesel technician for six years now and before that, I was working on cars. Being a mechanic has and will always be my first love. Now I have a new love, which is being a stunt performer. I was extremely excited to attend stunt school and after the first week, I knew this that was what I wanted to do.
As I have stated before, I am still new to the film industry, but I love everything about it. Stunts is just fun and really amazing! The training itself alone is intense and really working on my body movements and making myself more aware of what I am doing amazes me all the time. As of right now, I can’t say I specialize in anything in particular, but I have taken a liking for knife and sword choreography, I also have recently gotten into horseback riding.
To be honest, I’m not sure what I am most known for, professionally-wise. Personally wise, I would say my family and friends know me for my laugh and good storytelling. I am most proud of me landing my very first stunt gig in which I was double for someone, I was extremely nervous that day but definitely proud of myself for doing the best I could do. Another proud moment I had was when I was asked to coordinate some fights for a tv pilot, I was completely stressed because it was my first time and I had never even thought about coordinating fights for anything at all before but after everything was figured out and filmed, I was certainly proud of myself and what my mind had come up with.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I would say the qualities and characteristics that are most important are staying true to yourself. If you can’t do something, be honest and either work on it or say it’s not your strong suit. Having faith and believing in yourself is highly important because not one person will please everyone in this world. Always know that you ARE good enough and to NEVER give up on yourself because of someone else’s opinion.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: dw_stunts
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/DyhPio_mhWg
Image Credits
Sidney Lilly located in Hampton, VA
