Meet Dawn Hoffman | Freelance Producer, Director, Curator and Philanthropist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn Hoffman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
My perspective on risk is deeply intertwined with the human experience. We often navigate life believing we have control over certain aspects, yet circumstances can shift dramatically in what seem to be the most secure situations. To me, love represents a significant risk; the alternative is a life not fully lived. Embracing new experiences also involves risk, just as does the journey of self-acceptance in a world that often tells us we need to conform to specific standards to find happiness. Sharing this viewpoint feels like a risk in itself, especially since my career has primarily been in advertising.

As a freelancer, risk is an inherent part of my profession. Choosing this path means operating on a project-to-project basis, with no guarantees for what comes next. It’s crucial to adopt a “jump and the net will appear” mentality and maintain a strong work ethic.

Trusting myself to budget effectively is another risk I embrace. When work is plentiful, it’s easy to feel secure, but I remind myself that I cannot assume every month will be as fruitful as the last.

From a young age, I learned to navigate the complexities of my family dynamics, which often felt unstable. This experience fostered independence, resourcefulness, adaptability, and the ability to connect with people from all walks of life. While I may not have appreciated these lessons during my teenage years, I now recognize that they equipped me with essential skills for both life and career.

I actively take risks by pursuing my passions in philanthropy, film, photography, acting, spirituality, and the arts whenever possible. Traveling alone, speaking out against injustice, and striving to serve others are all part of my commitment to a life of meaning and purpose.

I am grateful for the lessons learned along the way and for the understanding that life is fundamentally about risk and choices. Even when a choice doesn’t bring immediate joy, I find that practicing self-love, humility, and gratitude guides me toward the best path for my life. Life is about making choices and embracing the multitude of possibilities that come with them.

In my earlier years, I often invited family and friends to join me on travels, to concerts, and to museums—seeking the adventures my soul craved. Their responses often included the word “someday.” However, I realized that for me, “someday” needed to start now. I took the risk of embarking on solo adventures, embracing the joy of my own company.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Throughout my life, I have embraced a philosophy of limitless possibilities, allowing me to create and explore my passions without boundaries. As a Freelance Producer for the past 28 years, I have cultivated a career that not only sustains me financially but also grants me the freedom to express my creativity and honor my free spirit.

This freedom has led me to establish my own non-profit organization, “A Walk in My Shoes,” which I ran and self-funded for seven years. I have also produced various series, including “Seeking God,” “Talking to Strangers,” advocacy videos for Black Lives Matter, and a photo docu-series called “Masked.” Additionally, I taught classes on intuition and manifesting at Mystic Journey Bookstore in Venice for 13 years, which inspired me to write “An LA Girl’s Guide to Manifesting.” My passion for art and photography has motivated me to curate several art shows over the years, with the most recent being a one-day pop-up event on January 26th. Through this event, we raised $1,000 for the LAFD Foundation, called “Inspired Art,” at Bg Gallery in Bergamot Station. I have been invited to curate two more shows in 2025, stay tuned.

How did I get to where I am professionally?
Through a combination of tenacity, curiosity, and perhaps a touch of luck.

What sets you apart, and what are you most proud of?
My ability to see things from multiple perspectives has been a cornerstone of my career in production. Originally from Brooklyn, I grew up in Southern California. In 1996, as my life was evolving, I reflected on what made me happy and realized it was acting and photography. After enrolling in acting classes in LA, I quickly transitioned behind the camera to gain a better understanding of the industry.

I began my journey by co-producing low-budget films and eventually found opportunities in commercial production. To establish my network, I initially worked as a craft service person, leveraging my previous catering experience. As I built connections, I requested to be considered for Coordinator and Office PA positions, even cold-calling Producers and Production Managers to get on their rosters. It took time, but persistence paid off, and I began working steadily.

What challenges have you faced, and how did you overcome them?
The freelance production path is fraught with challenges, yet the freedom it offers has been invaluable. Networking and hustling are essential, often leading me to take on roles as an Art Department Coordinator or Production Manager to make ends meet. I learned the importance of humility and staying focused on my role, even when it meant adapting my approach to fit the project.

Over the years, I’ve experienced the highs of busy schedules and travel, as well as the lows when opportunities dwindled. As the industry landscape shifts, particularly in recent years, I have transitioned to working as a Bidding Producer, navigating the challenges posed by a declining LA production scene. I’ve filled in as interim Head of Production and taken on longer contract reality shows, providing me with a taste of stability—a rarity in my freelance career.

Despite the allure of the freedom that freelancing offers, at this point in my career, it would be nice to have a staff position and a steady flow of income, especially as securing work becomes increasingly competitive. The current climate reveals a troubling trend where corporations prioritize cost-saving measures over supporting the local film community, often opting to shoot offshore and sideline union support.

What lessons have you learned along the way?
My journey has taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and maintaining a strong network. These lessons continue to shape my approach to both my career and creative endeavors. I understand every member of the crew is as essential as the next and should be respected equally. Although some have more responsibility, It takes the entire team to bring the concepts to life.

What message do you want the world to know about you and your brand?
I want to inspire others to pursue their passions unapologetically, reminding them that the road to success is often winding and requires both courage and creativity. My story is one of perseverance and the belief that with determination, anything is possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting the area, I’d want to ensure they had an unforgettable week in Venice, CA, where I live. There’s always something exciting to see and do here!

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration
We’d kick off the trip with a stroll along the Venice Pier, soaking in the ocean views before heading down the sandy beach to the Venice Boardwalk. We’d explore the vibrant Graffiti Walls and the famous Skatepark, making sure to snap some photos at the iconic Venice Sign. If we start feeling hungry, we could grab breakfast at Great White or We might walk further down the boardwalk to Hooked, located inside Dudley Market for the best coffee in Venice.

Day 2: Canals, Beach and Happy Hour
Next, I’d take them for a scenic walk through the picturesque Venice Canals, a true hidden gem. After a few hours hanging on the beach we could unwind with happy hour at either Hama Sushi or Charcoal Venice, both of which are among my favorites. We may find ourselves at one of the many local events that add to the beautiful community, small town feel, of Venice.

Day 3: Sports and Entertainment
As a lifelong Lakers fan, I’d make it a point to head downtown to catch a Lakers game—there’s nothing quite like the energy of a live sports event! Additionally, being a huge fan of live entertainment, I would look for tickets to a concert or a play to enjoy that evening if it happened to be off season for the Lakers.

Day 4: Arts and Culture
We’d spend a day exploring downtown, starting at **Grand Central Market** for a delicious bite to eat and then venturing into the Arts District. I’d make sure we hit some local art shows to soak up the vibrant creative scene.

Day 5: A Day in Malibu
If the Pacific Coast Highway is open, I’d take a drive to Malibu. We’d stop at John’s Garden or Lily’s for a delightful meal before heading to my secret beach spot to relax and enjoy the stunning views.

This itinerary captures some of the most fun, interesting, and exciting experiences that Venice and the surrounding areas have to offer. With great food, beautiful sights, and unforgettable adventures, it would surely be a week to remember!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Throughout my career in production, I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside some remarkable mentors and friends. I am profoundly grateful for the trust they have placed in me: Gary Kout, Hillary Caviness, Carolyn Petrosian, Christopher Crawford, Ian Karr, Jay Kelman, Joe Cabrera, Marcus Raboy, Adrienne McCurrach, Rebecca Donaghe, Marc Campana, Jai Stefan, Jane Nunez and Kathy Tishler.

I truly don’t know where I would be without the love and unwavering support of these wonderful individuals:
Ellen Butler, Maisha Hazzard (RIP), Joe Cabrera, Gina Kramer, Suzanne & Terry McCardle, Melanie Sommer, Joseph Lushi, Mitch Hara, Mark Sladky, Ghassan Allouche, Leslie Conliffe, Jaime and Johnny Brown, Laura Witherspoon, Gerry Tolman (RIP) Ruben Valerio, and Michelle Bronson.

Serving others is essential to my spirit. I have volunteered throughout my life, and while I can’t list every organization, I want to give a special shout-out to: Planet Hope (Kelly Singer Stone & Carrie Waters-Bhatia), Manifestworks (Dan, Young and Adam) and Streetlights.

I am also grateful for the people and places that nourish my soul: The Self Realization Fellowship at Lake Shrine, Agape Spiritual Center and True Insight Spiritual Center.

I truly believe that if every individual read “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz, the world would become a more aware and loving place each day.

While this may sound cheesy, it’s important to recognize that every person we encounter adds something valuable to our lives. I am grateful for them all.

Website: https://www.dawnhoffmancreative.com/

Instagram: @dawndhi

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoffmandawn

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawn.hofman29/about/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKiTOuEOs29tArXaU8225mQ

Other: @inspiredart2025
@talkingtostrangerswebseries

Image Credits
Sean Costello
Johnny Brown
Samuel Nathan Primero Photography