Check Out Travis Joe Dixon’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Travis Joe Dixon.

Hi Travis Joe, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up in an alcoholic household in rural Oklahoma, I knew what the sound of belt being taken off meant. It should come as no surprise that I quickly learned to lie and pretend everything in my life was okay. That constant “betrayal of truth” as my therapist would eventually tell me was the only saving grace that kept me off of drugs and sex work that consumed my family growing up. Luckily, I found my way into a local theatre troupe that specialized in improv. Being thrown into chaotic situations in life was perfect practice for chaos on stage. I thrived in the local improv community in Tulsa, where I founded the touring improv troupe “Suicidal Bots” that visited local retirement communities and grade schools. Eventually there was some pushback on our name so we rebranded to “You’re Gonna Kumquat.”After graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in musical theatre, I made the approximate 1,439 mile trek from Sand Springs, Ok to Los Angeles, CA. Knowing nothing about Los Angeles, I settled in South Central. After a month of close calls, I resettled in West Hollywood with a roommate who turned out to be a gay prostitute. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. A month later, I reconnected with a college friend and a new lease was signed. Over that last 15 plus years, I’ve played everything from dead body to blurry background lawyer. But my favorite roles to date have been the roles of Racist, Cop, and Racist Cop on The Rookie, Black-ish, and Snowfall respectively. I’ve also continued my every expanding repertoire of musical theatre roles as well.

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?
As a long time avid motorcycle rider, I know for a fact there is no such thing as a smooth road. At least, not for long. Most of my early struggles were from a long time injury to my right elbow. As a result of trusting a girl, my elbow was fractured and thus could never straighten again. This led to countless choreographers and directors constantly giving me the note “Straighten your arm!!” To which I would exclaim “It’s all Becky Burgess’s fault!” Then a lengthy explanation would drudge up the painful memory of that day. This usually all led to the entity in charge changing the blocking, ignoring the issue or, on one rare occasion, to me being fired. They had a very particular vision and a bent arm was not a part of it. We’ll just call them “Benton Garantino.” After surviving a tumultuous childhood on improv alone, another issue that raised its ugly head was the inclination to always have a joke ready. And the need to voice that joke. A 1st A.D. is never in the mood to hear why you jokingly missed your mark for the 3rd time. I’m still working on my comedic timing as it were.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At around three years old, my parents beginning taking me to the skating rink. I spent most of my adolescence between those four walls. I would even bring a pair of rental skates from that very rink on my journey to California and would continue to jam skate on the means streets of North Hollywood. While acting will always be my first love, as a way to branch out (everyone needs a side hustle) I began licensing my talents out as a make-shift dolly when a production couldn’t afford the cost. I became a one-man versatile dolly track. Didn’t have time to reposition the tracks, reframe the camera? No need. You simply turned my shoulders and pointed me in the direction of the shot. Money saved. Also since I had copious amounts of time during the pandemic, I took to reediting all of the features, shorts and TV shows I had appeared to now star me as the lead. You may ask “Didn’t Stephen Moyer play Bill Compton in True Blood?” Not anymore. With my face attached, I would play the southern Louisiana gentlemen. As a bonus, any time my character was watching a television, I rotoscoped out the original show and replaced it with porn. Why? I had the time. Plus it was good editing practice. In my downtime between films, I am most proud of volunteering with Young Storytellers which allows me to grace countless elementary school stages. These are by far the hardest auditions I’ve every experienced in Los Angeles. A 5th grade writer/director is the coldest presence I’ve encountered until you break the ice by falling on your face. Another of my many talents. Ultimately, with all the pots I have my hands in, I think what mostly sets me apart in this crazy industry is that I am a straight, white, male from nowhere, America who just has a dream in his heart and a gal at his side.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am such a dog lover. I currently have three wonderful black rescue pups that could not be more different in their personalities. Olive is the ball hog, Luna is the lover. Greta is the psychotic energy hidden behind a soulful set of eyes. I say all of this to segue to a wonderful book on screenwriting called SAVE THE CAT! If you’ve ever wondered how to breakdown a script from a writers perspective, this gives you a 15 point beat sheet. As an actor, it can help you to sketch out your prospective emotional journey. You certainly don’t want to hit your emotional peak during BEAT 7, the start of the B story. Save it for BEAT 12: Dark Night of the Soul. Also, listen to any Murder Podcast that has recorded live interviews. Can you tell who is acting? And who is guilty? Next, I love watching movies and television shows that win Oscars, Emmys, and Razzies. You need to know the best so you can avoid being the worst. I’m looking at you six time winner GIGLI. Lastly, read the Art of War by Sun Tzu. This business is brutal.

Pricing:

• Acting Services – FREE (Subject to change)
• Editing Services – FREE (Subject to change)
• Cinematography Services – FREE (Subject to change)
• Doggie Play Dates – FREE

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.TravisJoeDixon.com
• Instagram: TravisJDixon
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TravisJoeDixon

Image Credits
Jeff LaPansee – Headshot with the yellow background