Conversations with Charlie Castillo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlie Castillo.

Hi Charlie , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey into the world of multimedia content is a natural evolution of a passion that has accompanied me since childhood. Growing up in a family of musicians, my artistic sensibility took root early. While music and music production were my initial focuses, my curiosity quickly led me to explore design, photography, and filmmaking. In 2018, acquiring my first camera marked a turning point, prompting me to intensively train in the visual realm. This integration of audio and visual skills culminated in the founding of Dharmatrix Media in Chihuahua, Mexico, in 2019. What began as a personal solution for the content needs of my own musical projects and those of colleagues soon evolved into a company dedicated to empowering artists and various projects.

While we have several years of experience and a consolidated body of work, we are incredibly excited to announce that Dharmatrix Media has just commenced operations in Kansas City this year. We consider ourselves a company actively launching and growing within this vibrant community, extending our initial support to artists and individuals, and rapidly expanding our services to businesses of all kinds, from restaurants to diverse local enterprises, helping them tell their unique stories. Despite the inherent challenges of self-criticism and competition, my strength lies in my ‘polymath’ ability to integrate all these disciplines — video, photography, audio, and design — to create comprehensive and cohesive multimedia products. Our mission is clear: to deliver the highest quality and most effective content solutions right here in Kansas City, always maintaining a close and trusting relationship with our clients. We are proud to be the key partner that enables our clients to achieve their goals, and our vision is to become the leading reference for multimedia creation in this community, always committed to consistency, passion, and continuous learning

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?
To be entirely honest, the road has been anything but smooth, yet every struggle has been a profound lesson. One of the most significant challenges I faced was the unexpected onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Having just launched Dharmatrix Media in 2019, it felt like losing two crucial years for client acquisition and foundational development, forcing us to pivot and adapt rapidly. Beyond that, a persistent hurdle has been the substantial capital required to acquire high-quality multimedia equipment – from powerful editing computers to specialized cameras, lenses, and secure transport gear. The investment in cutting-edge technology, coupled with the ongoing cost and time commitment for continuous training and reaching the right clients, has been a constant financial and logistical test. Adding to all of this has been the ongoing challenge of coordinating my own learning across multiple disciplines—such as music production, photography, video, and design—without simultaneously neglecting the workload and the demands of keeping the business operational.

These experiences have taught me invaluable lessons in resource management and financial discipline. Learning to better organize my time and allocate resources effectively has been fundamental, not just for professional growth but for personal development as well.

Now, as we launch in Kansas City, we embrace a new set of exciting challenges. While I have some English proficiency, mastering the language to the level I desire is a beautiful, ongoing endeavor. This new chapter presents a wonderful opportunity to connect with a broader spectrum of artists from diverse genres, engage with different cultures, and collaborate with entrepreneurs I might not have encountered before. Stepping into this relatively new environment is a significant challenge, but one that fills me with immense excitement, as I know it will foster tremendous growth both personally and professionally. Every obstacle has ultimately served as a catalyst for our evolution and determination

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Essentially, I am a multidisciplinary creative, though my true specialization and the root of my journey lie in music. As a singer, songwriter, and producer of regional Mexican music for the past 28 years, this deep musical background has been the foundation that has allowed me to ‘connect the dots’ and understand the interconnection between audio, video, and photography. While my expertise in video and photography is still evolving, my mastery in audio creation —whether it’s music, jingles, spots, or studio work— is where I have spent the vast majority of my professional life.

My personal signature, and what I believe I am known for, is creativity. I am passionate about taking a client’s vision and transforming it, imagining together how it would look, what can be added, and how we can materialize their idea into an impactful final product. My greatest pride, undoubtedly, lies in my own projects as a singer-songwriter. In these, I invest limitless time and resources, truly going ‘all in’ to achieve optimal quality and share that creativity and art with other artists whose work I admire and connect with.

What truly sets Dharmatrix Media apart is our commitment to closeness and the significant time investment we dedicate to each project and client. We don’t just seek to understand their vision; we actively engage to collaboratively create and bring their ideas to fruition, always prioritizing their benefit and consistently aiming to exceed their expectations. The biggest lesson of my career is that, beyond the technical or material aspects, art and creativity must always be at the forefront. This is the essence of how we collaborate and what allows us to differentiate ourselves: investing time in cultivating that creative connection with our clients and collaborating artists so that the final result is authentically unique

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
For me, success is not a fixed goal or a financial metric, but rather a dynamic state of integral freedom and creative fulfillment. It’s the ability to merge my multifaceted artistic passion —from the music that runs in my veins to video, photography, and design— with my own life, having the autonomy to create purely for the pleasure of it, without constraints. My ‘polymath’ skills allow me to explore and express my vision anywhere in the world, living with tranquility and balance.

But success also lies in deep and meaningful connection. It’s the constant search for people who inspire me and with whom I can establish a network of collaboration and mutual learning, finding a sense of belonging that drives me forward. It’s the peace of mind knowing that I’m not alone in my way of thinking and acting, and that I can learn from their journeys and their wisdom.

Ultimately, success is the continuous pursuit of mastery and impact. It’s seeing the genuine satisfaction of my clients as their vision comes to life, and knowing that, with each project, I am leaving an authentic mark and a creative legacy. Every challenge overcome, from the pandemic to the investment in my own learning, has brought me closer to this definition of success that is profoundly personal and meaningful.

Pricing:

• Event photography and videography $1800
• Music Video Production $1000
• Corporate & Commercial content $600
• Jingles $800

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dharmatrixmedia/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063662574994
• Twitter: https://x.com/dharmatrixmedia
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dharmatrixmedia2354