Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Seda.
Hi Patrick, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My passion for the creative arts started at a young age with interests in drawing, writing, and creating music. I was really drawn to the storytelling aspect of each of these, especially songwriting. I went on to become a studio musician and rock singer in Chicago where I spent a lot of time performing and writing. Balancing my music with a full-time career as an engineer was difficult with a growing young family, so I stepped away from the performing arts for a while.
A few years later, when things had settled, my interests shifted to writing and directing films. I became involved in several Hollywood productions filming in Atlanta and decided to start my own production company, Saturn Moon Beach Productions, where I could focus on nurturing and creating meaningful content in my own artistic style.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The COVID-19 pandemic became a huge obstacle for us. Having a background in medical sciences, I took the pandemic very seriously and shut down all in-person production. The health of our crew, actors, and everyone’s families was more important than putting people at risk for creating entertainment. And now as we navigate the aftermath of the pandemic, there have become inherent additional costs with productions in the form of health checks and prevention protocols.
Although we paused on-set production, we remained very busy behind the scenes writing new material and tightening up some existing projects that were already in pre-production talks. We’ve also been able to better focus on evaluating some great local actors that we’ve had our eyes on for upcoming works, which is always an ongoing process for us.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a filmmaker, I focus on creating high-quality films that tell engaging stories, and when possible, address aspects of society that might not get proper representation. As a resident of Georgia, I’m very much aware of today’s prominent social issues such as racism, toxic masculinity, religion, sexual identity, and violence — and I try to create content respectful and useful in these areas.
One of my films, Reverend Falls, recently participated in Atlanta’s Out On Film LGBTQ film festival, which enabled me to meet some great up-and-coming filmmakers and watch their films. From this experience, I was inspired by their passions and wrote a short film addressing topics important to many underrepresented communities. We don’t film all the scripts we write, but this is one I’d really like to complete.
As a producer, I’m proud to be involved with the thriving acting community in the Atlanta area. There are amazing acting instructors and actors who work hard and take their craft seriously and I wish I could hire them all. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the best crew around and all of their talent and contributions have helped our films win multiple accolades and recognition.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Consistent through all of my artistic pursuits, I find the most important lesson about creating art, and especially filmmaking, is that the process is a long journey requiring patience and commitment to the craft. It’s important to reflect upon where you are and be honest with yourself about the quality of the work you’re creating. You should constantly evaluate if you’re on a path that makes you happy and make adjustments when necessary. And never live a life of chasing fame and fortune, you’ll never be satisfied — you must love the craft and derive satisfaction from the journey itself and enjoy your growth along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://imdb.me/patrickseda
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saturnmoonbeach/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saturnmoonbeach/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/saturnmoonbeach/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI8Zb6TKF3w2AG4NZSQJ40A
- Other: https://www.saturnmoonbeach.com/
Image Credits:
Brandon Taylor Baker
Billy Kelly
Saturn Moon Beach Productions
