Meet Trelas Dyson IV: The Actor & Filmmaker Who Took No Shortcuts

"Stop doubting yourself. It's a waste of time. You can. You will. You must."

Trelas Dyson IV

Who or what were your biggest influences growing up, and how did they shape your career choice?

The biggest influence growing up is absolutely Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino. I grew up with his music, fell in love with his acting, and thought him legendary with the creation of Gilga, his films, and the TV shows that he's tapped into. All brilliant, all amazing, and insanely impressive. As a teen, a child, and a young adult, he is far and away my biggest influence because I aspire to be as creative, as idealistic, and as imaginative as he can be. Everything he does is original, and seeing him infiltrate both the TV and film industries inspires me to do the same. I believe I can also be an African American multi-hyphenate creator and artist. I've always been ambitious, possessing lists and lists of endless goals, and it's because of Donald Glover, who has demonstrated that almost anything is possible and can be achieved.

How did you manage your first major failure or setback, and what did you learn from it?

I'd say my first major failure was also my biggest launching pad of sorts. I got cast in a miniseries at USC and auditioned for it. It was the first time I wanted to be involved in a project really badly, and it would go on to be my first big role in any project. This experience began my hopefully lengthy and extensive acting career. But the miniseries ended up being a terrible experience and an all-around negative environment. It was executed over several weeks, and I honestly dreaded it because I didn't feel invited or as if I belonged. I met tons of genuinely wonderful individuals and had great moments, but I just felt so insecure about my acting performances that it ruined most other aspects for me. I learned a lot of things about myself as an actor, but it also motivated me to do better, to be better, to grow, to learn so I'd never feel this way again on a production.

How did your success change your perspective on your work and your future goals?

The success I achieved in high school was honestly quite gratifying. It felt like the climax of all that I had worked towards. Interviews, articles, radio, TV – it was an amazing period of my life that I fondly look back on with much pride and positivity. It was at this point that I realized there's a certain level in life that I could reach and obtain if I truly worked for it with consistency and ambition. Up to this point, I felt I was lazy and often without a purpose, aimless about what was to come after college. However, this period boosted my self-confidence, and with the help of my parents, I even created a list of 300 or so goals to achieve over the course of my life. This experience changed my perspective for the better, knowing that I could and would cross each and every one of these off my list. It gave me more life, a sense of purpose. Feeling like I had started creating a legacy here in Vegas made me want more for myself, my family, and the future.

How do your current projects reflect your growth and evolution as an artist?

At the start of my career, both as an actor and a filmmaker, I didn't know where to start. I had no portfolio or any sort of creative resume. But I put myself out there, collaborating, taking any position, always giving out my information, and so on. I had the mindset of someone who constantly needed work to build up a portfolio, resources, and connections. I was willing to do whatever it took, taking any roles – be it background, supporting, or leading, and crewing any positions. In my third year or so, it's been quite a spectacular journey, and to see the amount of growth I've undergone has been nothing short of stunning for myself. Having a credible reputation as an actor, working on projects I am interested in, having people ask for me rather than the other way around, auditioning and more often than not being in the running – a far cry from the past. And as a filmmaker, I've had more opportunities this summer than I probably did my first year in this business. Working on music videos, short films, live readings, and so much more. I have a clearer vision of what I want to accomplish within film and acting, and it's certainly shown in the projects I've worked on recently. New experiences, new skills, more growth as an artist.

What role does continuous learning and self-improvement play in an artist's journey?

It's huge. I think about this all the time. I'm obsessed, actually. I feel nowhere near the level of a successful or 'good' actor, but I put myself out there because I know I can learn, grow, and obtain knowledge to one day get to that point. By working with and surrounding myself with better actors and serious performers. Learning from them is always inspiring, always necessary for myself. I'm like a sponge. I haven't had official training or classes, so to pull from these real-life experiences has helped tenfold. By watching videos, montages, films, and reading books on the process, I feel I truly am improving. Because of that obsession, I know where I'll be 2 years, 5 years, 10 years down the line. Successful. Accomplished. It's important in everything I want to do that self-improvement is always prioritized to get to that point. With filmmaking, watching lectures, reading posts, seeing behind the scenes, and otherwise – learning, learning, learning!

"I thought to myself, not a single college will want me. I applied and got into many. I thought to myself, USC won't accept my application. I tried, and they accepted it. I thought to myself, no audition will even consider me. I auditioned and got the role. I thought to myself, no one will take me seriously as an actor. I improved and consider myself an actor. I thought to myself, I could never make a film. I learned, and now it's all I want to do.

Stop doubting yourself. It's a waste of time. You can. You will. You must." - Trelas Dyson IV

Check out Trelas Dyson IV Company: USC

Explore more about Trelas Dyson IV  and his work at treyoneandonly.com

Stay connected and follow Trelas Dyson IV  journey on social media:

Instagram: instagram.com/treyoneandonly

Twitter: twitter.com/treyoneandonly

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trelas-dyson-iv-026258213

Facebook: facebook.com/trelas.dysoniv