We recently had the chance to connect with DREW DUSTERHOFF and have shared our conversation below.
DREW, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Upon waking, I take a moment to “Thank God” for allowing me to wake another day. Next, I spend some time reading the bible. I’m currently reading it all the way through. So, I read. Then, I get up and head downstairs. I have my morning workout routine I like to do which usually takes 45-60 minutes. Not including a 10 minute stretching before and after. I spend about 10 minutes making my pre-workout concoction, and head out to my home gym setup in my garage. That 90 minutes flies by.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Based in Los Angeles, I own a production company that specializes in original, high octane, feature films. I produce and write under the banner, Divine Entertainment, LLC. In addition, I work in the film and television industry as a professional actor. As a producer and writer, I currently have a horror/thriller feature film in development with my company providing financial backing to get the feature made. There are also more treatments and ideas I have prepared for the development slate. As an actor, the work in Los Angeles was slow for quite some time. Following the combined WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes coupled with productions leaving to film elsewhere and take advantage of competitive tax incentives, auditions dried up! Trust that If you were getting auditions at all, you are “blessed.” Most actors who are working, are already “well-known” or “established.” Now recently, with the passage of new legislation in California targeting expansion of film tax credits, more and more productions are opting to return and film locally. Even better! New shows and film productions are choosing to film on sound stages and on-location in the Los Angeles area. Therefore, more opportunities to audition are occurring. So, that is promising! I live by a strong moral compass and I like to approach my work truthfully and authentically. With the ultimate objective of bringing individuals and collectively, a society, closer to their “why” in life. In everything that I do. Wether that be through writing a script or acting in a movie, I want to help inspire the divine light that lives in all of us. You can keep up to date through social media and visiting “www.divineproductionsla.com and www.weharvest.movie”
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents! And when I say, they set the bar “high”, it’s still a massive understatement. So, I have elevated standards for my own work ethic. Essentially, what they instilled in me as the bare minimum. Not just from me. But from others too. You show up on time. You complete your work. And you treat people kindly. Who taught my parents about work ethic? Their parents. I’m proud to say, my work ethic is “top notch.” It helps that I take care of myself. And that work ethic is ingrained in my DNA. From laborers, entrepreneurs, and educators to doctors, nurses, and military officers, there’s no shortage of accomplishments in my family tree rooted in strong work ethic. In truth, my parents gots things done. I like that my siblings and I are the same way.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would say, “protect your peace” because there are people who wish you were miserable like them.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies I can think of is this idea from the major studios that audiences aren’t turning out for “original films.” In other words, original films are being released, but not finding their audience. That they don’t get “butts in seats.” While simultaneously, minimal, if any at all, print and advertising dollars are given to the film for marketing. It never fails that I see movies I’ve never heard of found on a streaming platform while looking for something to watch that looks interesting. From a major studio. That got a theatrical release. But there was no marketing spend. I never saw one trailer. This coming from someone who goes to the movies a lot! It’s almost like original films are being setup to fail to create a narrative that reboots and existing IP drive revenue and subsequent profit at the box office. Make no mistake. There is data showing audiences showing up for remakes. But audiences are also craving original films. This is evidenced by recent success of original films like “Sinners.” As more original films become successful, Hollywood will follow what pays the bills at the end of the day.
Another lie involves the inclusion of diverse representation of characters on screen. Characters that represent Americans who may not be what one would stereotypically expect. In other words, giving “non-Caucasian” Americans the chance to be represented on screen more. Especially in film but as much so in television. Hollywood loves to talk about being “inclusive” and giving “representation” to non-Caucasian America. However, their actions suggests otherwise. As evidenced by movie posters at the box office, you can certainly see this in the marketing of movies intended for initial theatrical release. How many people on the movie poster are “diverse?” Or are the characters played by actors who represent “caucasian audiences” only? As I mentioned, as someone who goes to the movies quite often, sadly, I see that the majority of the cast in these films are mostly “fair-skinned” and caucasian appearing. This is still true in the year 2025. Now, this is strictly pertaining to theatrical releases. Streaming is a bit different. But, we still have media companies refusing to acknowledge characters of non-European origin on the big screen. Who also happen to be representations of America. Just not “Caucasian American.” Even more so, why do executives who green-light our film and television projects think that people who live in Oklahoma City only want to watch people who “look” like them on screen? Why do we continue to have the “Caucasian male lead” and the “mixed ethnicity female lead” paired up and call it diversity? It’s almost never the case you see a “diverse, ethnic appearing male lead” paired up with a “ethnic appearing female lead” to carry a theatrical release. In fact, it is disheartening to not see someone who looks like you in a role you could see yourself in. Not only that, how are you supposed to build your career with guest appearances on television shows if there are minimal opportunities for ethnic actors to speak on screen?
Now, the executives will point to audiences and argue that they are the ones who are biased and that “America is still very much majority Caucasian.” Outside of major international cities, sure, there is truth to that statement. Rural areas for sure. It is true that America, historically, is a European descendant nation following the displacement of Native Americans. Unlike Bollywood and Nollywood, if America was allowed to be a homogenous nation in 2025, this probably wouldn’t even be a conversation. Annual data from the UCLA diversity report exploring representation on screen that indicates, audiences want to see “diverse characters” on the big sceen. Furthermore, we can’t put it all on the media executives. The director. Who also is caucasian. The writer. Producer. Executive Producer. The whole creative team. It is multi-faceted. I’m also acutely aware that Hollywood has historically been an industry comprised of mostly Caucasian backgrounds. That non-Caucasian groups have always been underrepresented in film and television. Often getting portrayed as harmful and oppressive stereotypes. One way to address this to take a stake in creative equity. Which involves creating and producing your own projects as well as discovering more creatives of diverse backgrounds to come forward and become storytellers. Who know how to portray characters who may have a different skin color, but are not stereotypical. Wether that character is a “hispanic stock broker” or an “asian farmer” or perhaps a “black software engineer”, there is no amount of imagination left un-stretched. Even if it goes “against the grain.” Sometimes to enact changes, you have to be bold and you can’t rely on man to catch on and make a change. You have to do things yourself.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
You know, this may sound like I’m being “holier than thou.” My answer is a resounding, “yes!” The truth is, I don’t necessarily need praise from humanity for giving anything that I do, the “best.” That human praise you mention comes from a material place. In other words, “of the earth.” I get my glory and honor from “God.” And as my work glorifies him, he undoubtedly communicates that through his merciful grace and praises in my life with his many divine blessings. And that is all the “praise” I’ll ever need. Trust me!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.divineproductionsla.com
- Instagram: @mrdrewdusterhoff
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrdrewdusterhoff
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@drewdusterhoff
