Conversations with Patrick Deal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Patrick Deal.

Patrick, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started acting at a very young age of 10. Did some theater at my local church and some in school. I was on the forensics team in high school that really brought my love closer to the craft and then I went to college for it. There I not only learn more of the craft of acting, I’ve learned the business of the industry as well as the workplace etiquette when being on set. I did some extra work while I was still in school and that opened my eyes to the ‘machine’ and how movies are run. I’ve met great people, creators, some producers who I still stay in contact to this day. Years later I was able to get an agent and get my first booking on Chicago PD. I’ve done many stage productions and toured and now I’m fulfilling my creative itch to direct my own project which I plan to shoot next summer.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The acting industry is never smooth. Some may have more fortunate stories, but the acting gig is a GRIND. Many rejections came my way. Having to adjust to the industry changing with the times, SAG strikes and the lot, It’s definitely not an easy industry to be in. Why I’m still in it is because I love it so much. I think the biggest obstacle for me was understand what executives look for and how to achieve that. By being on set, indie or big-budget, there’s an overall standard that can’t fully be explained until you experience it for yourself. Once I was able to see the way, that when I was able to follow how the pros do it and know which rules to break. The business part of it i think is something most people fail to understand. The glitz and glamor is the surface part. But the business part is where I think would help most folks once they understood that part.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an actor, producer, writer, and director. My latest short film ‘Lake of Lies’ was just released online that anybody can watch for free. I’ve recently got the word out that specialized in post-production so I’m a professional editor as well. Some would know me from the trailers I’ve produced for people. I’d say I’m most proud of the reputation I’ve gained along the way from working with so many people. I think what sets me apart from others is my awareness on how the industry works as a whole, and that I’ve gained intel through discovery on what makes the relationship between audiences and film work best. At Columbia, they taught me a great deal on the craft of acting, but also the business side and how to protect and present ourselves. I meet a lot of self-taught creative who never went to school, which i admire. However, sometimes I find myself in a lecture with them about how numbers work, how agents work, how taxes work for entertainment. It’s great because it’s an opportunity for me to give game where it’s needed and I think folks appreciate that where some would just keep that to themselves.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I’ve taken many risks, the first being choosing to become a producer. During covid, my auditions were frozen right after my PD booking. It was terrible. I felt like the ball was just rolling and then all of the sudden, and when the rules started to change for how we create, all of us actors were at a stand still. That’s when it hit me that I can’t keep working as an actor if I’m always sitting on my hands. I can’t keep relying on the industry to give me an opportunity. In this business you have to earn your place. So that when I took 2 days and wrote ‘Root of Evil’. The plan was I was gonna produce it myself, star and direct it. I made a call to a fellow actor of mine, Sennia Sa’ra who had directed projects already that I wanted to help me produce since this would be my first rodeo. So we agreed she would direct the project, i would still star and produce it, and once planning had completed, we were able to make it and complete it. It was my biggest lesson for me life-wise but also for the industry as a whole. So from there I used what I learned for that experience and applied it to ‘Lake of Lies’ and it was one of most efficient shoots I’ve worked on. One because it was my film, but also because I learned from others what not to do on set being on so many projects. But the stepping out and putting my best foot forward was quite a challenge. There’s was a lot of imposter-syndrome and anxiety directing people and running your own set. But once I’ve crossed that milestone, I was able to gain a confidence that I would use to say, I can run a set. I’m a director. I’m a storyteller. And that risk has brought more rewards than I would’ve imagined.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_patrickdeal/
• Facebook: Patrick Deal
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheActorTake