Switch to Channel 2 Audio Podcast with Billy Dunston

In this intriguing episode of "Switch to Channel 2" on the GoForDonny podcast, host Donny McGuire sits down with the multi-talented Billy Dunston. From his unexpected plunge into the entertainment industry driven by a serendipitous open bar to his insights on the unsettling world of drones and UAPs, Billy's journey is nothing short of fascinating.

Listeners will enjoy an engaging conversation as Billy shares anecdotes from his military background, expressing a unique perspective on the relevance of commercial work in the acting world. Donny and Billy also delve into how filming dynamics are evolving outside of California due to economic constraints and the allure of more welcoming locations.

Besides acting, Billy is making strides as a writer and discusses his plans to produce a feature film following a veteran-centric writing program. He teases upcoming projects, including an NDA-bound video game and his role in a suspenseful horror film.

Tune in for a fresh take on the entertainment industry from Billy Dunston and some humorous stories from his army days that will keep you entertained and enlightened. Perfect for fans of industry insights, military anecdotes, and the unpredictable adventures within the entertainment world.

Don’t miss this episode of "Switch to Channel 2"—packed with insights, laughs, and a peek into what makes Billy Dunston an exciting presence on and off the screen.

00:00 Industry Transition Success Story

03:10 Drone Threats and Anti-Tech Solutions

08:58 Shifting Film Productions Outside LA

09:53 "Refreshing Work Outside California"

13:19 Buffalo Soldiers: A Black Veteran's Story

18:02 Ranger Medical Training Procedure

20:15 Veteran Writing Program Opportunity

22:34 "Prayers and Broadcast Callbacks"

#GoForDonny #SwitchToChannel2 #PodcastInterview #BillyDunston #EntertainmentIndustry #MilitaryExperience #UAPDiscussion #DroneTech #CommercialActing #VoiceoverArtistry #FilmingLocations #LAProductions #ScreenwritingJourney #BuffaloSoldiers #ActorLife #industryinsights 

For sponsorships, brand deals and collabs https://www.gofordonny.com
gofordonny@gmail.com
donny.mcguire@gofordonnyproductions.com

Don't forget to check out my website www.gofordonny.com for some cool GFD Swag and some fun videos and photos.
And Remember...#HTFU

Transcript

0:02

Have you heard of the new addition to the Go for Donnie podcast? I haven't either, but it's called Switch to Channel two. That is where Donnie will get to ask his guests some questions. So you, the listener, get to know them better. And remember, hashtag htfu. Hey, guys, welcome to Switch It, Channel two, where we have five random questions that we're going to ask Billy that our fans want to know. So, Billy, Switch to Channel 2 is a show that we came up with because whenever you're on set, you had a little chatter. You'd reach back and switch to channel two, and you'd go to channel two and have a little chatter. Everyone would listen in and then know what you're talking about and you go back to your respective channel. So thank you for coming on. Switch to Channel two. We appreciate it. I just got five questions for you. Pretty easy. I know you can handle these. They're very softballish. First one, man, what. What got you into the industry? So I had a friend that got me in. She did a lot of fashion design, and her models were just no call, no show. And I thought that was insane that, you know, especially coming from the military, that you could just not show up to work, right? But apparently that's kind of normal in that industry. But she's like, hey, open bar. And if you can fit these sizes, then let's go. And I'm like, all right, let's go. And I became a guy who was. Was kind of the backup to a primary. And then they're like, hey, like, you know, would you like to do any film work? I'm like, that sounds fun. A new challenge. And one thing led to another, and here I am. That's so awesome. See, it's a little things. It's a stepping stones, you know, seeing those opportunities and taking those opportunities and. And seeing where they can lead to. And not a lot of people have the balls to do that. So kudos. Kudos to you. I. Not a lot of people know how I got in the industry. I transitioned from an industry, I thought I'd go back to it. Some things happened, and a friend asked if I wanted to answer phones at the front desk at mtv. Until I figured it out, I'm like, sure, why not? So I did that for a couple months, you know, got bored, realized I wasn't going to go back to the other profession, had to work my way around, and that's exactly what I did. Took my opportunities and went from development and MTV to freelance, where I started working in production and we're doing ever since. So it's all those little stepping stones and taking them and moving with it. That's pretty cool. So I take it you're going to stick with this industry? Oh, yeah, yeah. This is you. You found, you found your, your talent. I know, I know, dude. All right. What do you think about all these UAPs, all these drones? I mean, it's freaking nuts. I go down rabbit holes all the time and, and some, some. I mean, I'm entertained and sometimes I'm like, no, this is not real. But I have to like, make sure I see other stories to make sure I'm seeing what I'm seeing is real. What say you, Billy? It's a scary time because I always look at it in terms of, well, drones are cheap to make. I mean, what you could make a consumer drone sell for like 80 bucks. And then with any type of surveillance material or explosives, as we've seen like in certain conflicts, it's nuts that that's kind of the, the emergent form of warfare coming out, but then also data collection. And I've always looked at it in terms of like, it's already here. What can we do to either mitigate any intel or damage done from that or like, how can we stop it? So like looking into like anti drone tech and things like that. Because even I don't know if you've seen like videos where drones are using thermals and it's like, bro, how do you beat thermals? Like, it's very, very hard to hide your heating signals. Yeah, like heat signatures of a bunch of different vehicles and whatever. And if there's not, there's no heat signature. I mean, they're using some other kind of propulsion system clearly that doesn't emit heat. Yeah, friggin nuts, dude. It's friggin nuts. I mean, they're popping up obviously all over the east coast. They're actually everywhere, you know, even here in, in la. I mean, actually I wasn't up in. Isn't Oregon. Isn't Ben. Oregon. Those pilots sh. Just like a week or two ago, saw some orbs and they were on talking with control tower about how they were zipping in and out to, you know, out to sea and then come back like, you know, lightning fast. Not even lightning fast. Faster than he said he's ever seen anything move before, I guess. Freaking nuts. Yeah, it's. It's crazy to think because like was it, was it in World War II? Like the Japanese were using like little firebombs that they send on the wind to the Pacific Northwest and like, they actually were successful. So like, it kind of makes me think back to like, oh, maybe they're kind of like probing, you know. It's freaking nuts, man. I mean, I don't know, I go down these rabbit holes all the time and you know, I mean, like I said, I'm entertained. I'm like, I think it's really cool. I mean, I think they're real. It's just freaking nuts what's happening, you know, it's freaking. They even saw two orbs on news shot last night in the LA News of the fire here in the Palisades. It was nuts. I'm calling shenanigans belly. Well, I mean, hopefully they leave us be. Do you think. I know we were talking about this earlier about the industry. Do you think how do you feel being on the actor side, the background side? Do you feel like industry is coming back at all for your side? For me, yes. I know that's not the case of some of my friends, but I feel like I've. I've kind of dug myself a niche that is successful and then. So wait, are these friends not in your niche? So they're not military? No. Or so like a lot of the things I get are like usually military because I have that experience, or like young dad, like very commercial. And I don't know what it is, but there are some actors that just like kind of like poo poo commercial work, I guess because it's not. I don't know why that's how you pay the bills. It's make so much money. Exactly. Dude. Crazy. Yeah. Because like you on resumes and certain things, like, you know, they're like, oh, yeah, you don't, you know, put any commercials. I'm like, that's weird that like I would put, you know, if I've done like a Nike commercial, you know, like billion dollar brand versus like, you know, Jim Bob's like short film. You want Jim Bob short film? And I get, I get there's certain types of acting, but it's just at the same time, like I'm paying my bills with, you know, commercial work. Yeah, hello. It's 100%. I mean, I don't know I would prefer commercial work. I mean, then again, I'm not in front of the camera and I don't need to make a name for myself or any of that crap. Well, actually, I kind of guess I am in front of the camera doing this and I am making a name for myself. So what am I saying, but you know what I mean? I don't know. I mean, I, I really hope some more work comes back. I, I, it doesn't, I don't want to say it just doesn't feel like it. You know, hopefully these tax breaks work and more companies are filming here in la. It's just so hard. I mean, I just did a, a vertical scripted shoot I was telling you about and locations charge so much money. Oh, Cal State la. I'll say it again. Cal State la. Oh, my gosh. We went there, scouted the location. They were so nice, the prices that we were told were so cheap, Right. And then after the scout, we gave them the locations we wanted and, you know, they were coming up with all the different price points for it. And then we got back, it was something like $35,000. I was like, what? I thought they said it was a 500 permit fee. They know it's 500 an hour. So, yeah, I was just like, this is, this is crazy. Anyways, that's my rant, which I wanted to start anyways, Donnie's rant, because there's always something you want to rant about and the price of filming in LA is just one of them. That's just ridiculous. And then you have to also get a permit from film la, which is a couple grand out the door. So anyways, I really hope it bounces back because I have a lot of friends that are out of work, especially in the reality world, but a lot of us would prefer commercial work because it pays so well. So, I mean, if that work is, is there and thriving for you, man, you know, stick with it. Good on you. Or the gaming world, you know, that's not going anywhere, you know, I mean, that's always some good bread and butter for you. Yeah. And like, kind of going back to what you're saying a little bit is I, from what I've seen is that like, while there is construct, obviously contraction in la, I've seen other locations pick up, pick up work. And the thing is, I travel, I don't care. I travel all the time for work. So, like, I get a lot of work in, like in Dallas and Austin, so, And I know New Mexico's coming up because it just seems like productions are happening, just not in la and it's because it is so expensive, you know, Whereas you move to, let's say, for example, Utah, because this is a Angel Studios out there. But if you go around to a lot of locations, they're just so happy, like, you know, gracious. They're like, we get to be in the movie, you don't have to pay anything. Like just buy our race. Yeah, yeah, exactly. So like I think that's like the difference. It's crazy when you say that. It's refreshing getting outside of LA and just about everything I work on is outside of California really. But it's refreshing. You're meeting real people, you know, you might have some differences, but they're real people, they're nice to you and you don't have to pay for things like locations, you know, I mean it's so refreshing when they're like, no, we don't, you know, we don't want anything, just come let us know we have to do, we'll sign anything. You know, they ask for signage and you can't really promise them that because you don't know what they're going to use in the edit. I mean you can shoot it and say yeah, please. And do your best to shoot the signage so they have to use it. But I mean it's so refreshing when you get something for nothing, you know, outside of California. So I like it, I like when I'm filming outside of California, but then again, I do miss filming here too. It's kind of nice being at home at night and not having to live in a freaking hotel for months on end. Yeah, sleeping in your own bed is. Definitely a plus side, man, it just wears on you. It's like, you know, I don't know, I think the worst, the longest was I've. I did. Was Naked and Afraid and I did a back to back episodes and that was two months I was gone and that was a long friggin time. You know, that was actually, that was. I think we stayed in the same hotel for all two months as well. Yeah, so it was like Groundhog Day, man. It was nuts. But it was fun. I mean, I can't complain. I mean, what am I saying so. Well, hopefully things come back and it's more fruitful, but I mean just seeing what you're doing, it looks like you're, you know, you're, you're getting steady work and doesn't look like it's going to decline anytime soon for you. Especially with that great studio you got going on there for all your auditions. Yeah, it looks better when everything's, when everything's set up and the lights and everything like that. But I got my nerd stuff on the back there to different helmets. I think it's obviously Starship Troopers helmet and Halo and stuff like that. So nice Night. Do you do any voiceover? I don't. I think I'm gonna try to get into it this year. We'll see how it goes. I need to get. I feel like I need to get a better. A little bit better studio or. I mean, really is just great. I mean, a good microphone. Sure. Sure. Seven right here. Sure. Seven. Thanks. Sure. I appreciate the new one. It's a great microphone. I. When I first started this, I was so worried about sound. So worried. You know, Then after I got into it, I'm like. Like, if someone rings the doorbell, like, I cut around it. You know, my dog barks. Yeah. I cut around it. There's trash can or trash trucks, you know, just sh. Going on where this thing really does cancel out a lot of noise. So if you get a good. Sure. Mic or a good mic and some good headphones, you know, I don't know. I think you're solid. Especially the auditions. It'd be different if you're recording. I think if you're recording, you know, some content where they need a soundproof booth. Yeah. I mean, eventually, that's kind of where I want to get to, you know, kind of empty out a closet and do that. Funny story about sound booths and audio stuff. So there's a project called Buffalo Soldiers Fighting on Two Fronts. Buffalo Soldiers Fighting on Two Fronts. Yes. And I don't even know if my VO got into the story, but the way it happened was my agent hit me up, and she's like, hey, there's a, like, a black veteran thing, and you're a black veteran, so, like, this would be great for you. I'm like, oh, yeah. So if anyone doesn't know, the Buffalo Soldiers were the first all black unit commissioned during peacetime, so huge historic thing for the US and it's coming out. I'm like, oh, man, this is gonna be great. Because I had just finished a book called this is the Last All Black Ranger Unit, and the last all Black Ranger unit was a. You know, Buffalo is kind of like their heritage tracing back. And because shortly after segregation ended and that company was 2nd Ranger Company in Korea, I served a 2nd Ranger Battalion. So I'm like, cool. There's, like, lineage there. That's cool. I'm like, oh, man, this is awesome. So I get my slide back, and, you know, it's one for one of the soldiers, and it's things like, you know, like, ah, my dear is Barbara. We've left the fort. And, you know, like, I. My socks are. You know, stuff like that, you know, like, the things that you want to play over. They would play over their letters, and this was like, God, I think that might have been, like, June. So time goes by. I'm like, I didn't get it. You know, because if usually I'll heal back in the first month, then you didn't get it. Time goes by, and, like, it's November, and they're like, hey, yeah, we liked your audition. We want you to go and do it. I'm like, oh, bro. Like, yes, like, I got it. Like, this is gonna be so cool. Such a great story. Like, you know, the history is there, and I get my new sides, and it's for the white racist newspaper editor. What? Grant, they have never seen my face. They didn't get a headshot or anything. They just heard my voice. And I mean, come on. My name's Billy Dunston. That doesn't really give off any, like, anything. So I did the lines for the white racist newspaper editor, and I was like, you know what? I don't care. It's like, $500 to, like, record from my house. Like, of course I'm gonna do it for, like, a handful of lines. That's funny. Good on you. Oh, my God. What they. I mean, what was the reveal? What was reveal? Like, so I don't even know if they used it, like, because there's, like. There's different versions of what they call. It was like, an audio series, and I listened to the first couple episodes. I didn't get too far into it, but, yeah, it's just like, you know, like, oh, like, you know, the negroes must know their place against this army. And, like, God damn. You're like, what the. Am I reading right now, dude? Yeah, it was. Yeah, it was, man. That's awesome. Just acting, man. This. You never know. You never know. Go out for every night, audition for everything, because you never know. Can you imagine that would be. Actually be a. One of those mean. It's kind of like what they do on Saturday Night Live on. On Colin, Jost and. And Jay. Oh, yeah. You know what they do? How they switch their scripts and they don't know it and they're reading it live. Yeah. Funny as to give you, like, lines, like, doing it live. Like, having actors read lines live, like, video and have them be something like that. Just a little kind of off to see what. How they react. That'd be kind of fun. Sick and twisted. I like deprecation. Yes. What. What about what's next for you, Billy? What do you got going on next? Oh, no, And I Wait. Before I ask that, I wanted to know what's your best badass memory from being in the army? Anything fun you did? Anything really badass you can remember? Like, you know. Oh, man, that's a. That's a good. I'll tell this story because, like, eventually he. He's good now, but. So this was in Iraq. And we're clearing through this area. We've gotten to this massive firefight. We thought we're good. And my pl gets blown up. And like, I don't know how to say, it's like he got blown up lightly, like his leg was torn up. And again, he's fine now, but his legs a little torn up. And we. So we had to medevac him out there. But as we're medic back him out there, like we're taking fire. And so, I mean, there's gunshots coming in. And I had gone to EMT school, like civilian EMT school to help the medics because just the way our structure says is if you can get guys to be any type of medical trained, everyone has a better chance of survival even if you do get hit. So rangers are really big on medical training. We have a ranger first responder. So I'm sitting there and, you know, working. In order to work on someone's leg, you have to cut their clothes away or whatever else. You have to cut their clothes away to make sure there's no arterial bleeding or anything like crazy like that. So he's on. He's on the litter. And, you know, we're trying to give him his, like, you know, with a fentanyl lollipops or what the thing we did at the time does to manage pain and put a tourniquet on his leg, and we're packing his wounds and you want to be able to talk to your patient, you know, and my buddy is a medic, was like, you know, hey, sir, you know, how's it going? You got any plans? You get back home? And it's just pleasantries, good bedtime manner. And I was. I'm sitting there and I'm. He's not really responding to it. And I go, sir, I thought you said you were half black. And he goes, what the did you just say? And, like, tries to, like, get up off the litter. Like he's like, strapped down. He's like, motherfucker. And we get him on the bird and take off. And everyone's looking at me like, I'm a dick. I'm like, I. He was responsive to what I was Doing. Oh, man, that's awesome. Oh, that's pretty good. Yeah. I mean, have you, have you talked to him about that since? So I haven't seen him. So I saw him at the 50th, but before I saw him at the 50th, I hadn't seen him for what, 13, about 13 years. And one of the first things he said to me was like, oh, yeah, don't you say I was half black, huh? Like they remember that like years later. That's pretty good. Hey, it did. It did his work, man. Snapped him out of whatever the fuck he was in. So I'm glad he's okay. And that's. That's pretty funny, man. Thanks for sharing. That's pretty good. So what, before I ask you what what up is before I can even speak, what's up next for you there, Billy? So after this, I actually just did a bunch of screenplay contests, so also. Right. Oh, I did see that. Yeah, Congrats. That's right. Sorry, I forgot to mention that. Oh, no, no, it's all good. Appreciate that. That one's like, you know, within. Because I'm working with the veterans in entertainment and Media and they're a veteran writings program, which has been great if you are a veteran looking to even just get your feet wet. I mean, I was an infantryman who's had a bunch of TBI and hit my head a bunch. And if I can get into the program, I believe anyone can get into the program or like with the hard work, not just like to take people off the street. You know what? Now you have drive. You have drive, bro. Come on. So, yeah, of course you can do it. But yeah, it's a great program. You get to meet industry people, like writers and stuff like that. They can help coach you do that. So that's my next big thing on the writer side is tightening up some scripts that I really enjoy. I think they have a good chance of. I'm trying to make one later this year. It's going to be kind of weird because I'm having a baby in April. Yeah, that's right. Wow. So we're going to, we're going to try to film in like August, but that'll be my first. Me writing a feature and then getting it produced. That's so cool. Congrats. Well, let me know if you need help with anything. Yeah, I know a couple people in the industry have a couple friends here and there, but that's so awesome, man. So you got that coming up. Any, any other acting gigs? Anything on the horizon that we should look out for. Yeah, I have a NDA video game. As much as I can say about that. Very cool. But that's a big one. That'll be fun. And then I have a feature film that I'm filming for actually this Saturday coming up. Horror movie. And again, I don't want to say too much, but I get to be at least the. The character at the beginning. You know, every horror movie kind of has that open where. Oh, man, like, you know, I don't believe in xyz and then they die. Yeah. Yeah. I don't. I can't say if I die or not. I can't say if I die or not. But I'm the. The beginning characters. They lead into the rest of the movie. Dude, when does that come out? So we're filming it this Saturday. Oh, you're filming it this Saturday. Okay, cool. Well, we'll look forward to seeing you in that, man. That's so awesome, dude. I'm so glad you're doing well. And, you know, if you ever come down to la, you know, let me know. Hopefully everything is still here. And go check and see how that fire is doing, man. It's fucking nuts. But, I mean, I don't pray a lot, but I guess I'll pray for some people there and the first responders, of course. Well, Billy. Hey, we better get back to Channel one. They're calling for us, man. They're always calling for me to come back, but it's always good for you to come on. Switch the channel, too, and do a little chatter with me and answer some questions and. And for me to get to know you better, too. So, man, you're always welcome back on the show and wish nothing but the best. And thanks, Billy. We'll be heading back to our channel, man. All right, man. Take it easy, bro. Production for Donnie. Go for Donnie. Locations for Donnie. Go for Donnie. For Donny. Go for Donnie. Hey, Donnie. What the hell are they doing?