Rising Stars: Meet Pat Flood of Silver Lake

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pat Flood.

Hi Pat, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in Wisconsin and spent my 20s working at radio stations in Milwaukee. I didn’t feel connected to it, or my goals, or my future. I couldn’t see past myself yet. When I moved to LA in 2021 I started working in TV production. I was freelancing my ass off and pretending I knew more than I did to get jobs. From I can gather, that’s what most folks out here are doing. I’m currently staffed at an unscripted production company which has been great stability.

When I look back at the radio station, it’s this moment of “oh shit, I kinda learned everything about work ethic at this place I decided wasn’t helping me.” It’s fascinating to see how everything I’ve done quietly informs the next move.

Comedy has always been at my core. Once I got to LA, I felt less embarrassed about admitting creative goals. I’m not sure where all the self doubt collected, but living here has been a process of slowly descaling it from my body. It’s been a minute, but I’m producing a monthly comedy show again. That’s what we should talk about.

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?
I mean, freelancing is rough. It’s kind of a roller coaster…addictive almost. The highs and lows. But it wasn’t sustainable for me.

It’s been my experience that a big chunk of the entertainment industry is people preying upon folks that moved here to get famous. Take this $800 4-week class, spend $1,200 on a professional acting reel, get 15 people to buy $30 tickets to a comedy show and you will get 5 min of unpaid stage time. I guess it might be a path. It sucks the joy of out it for me.

The truth is that no one owes me anything. If I want to do things creatively, I have to find a way to do it. This guy at an AA meeting told me once “if you don’t like the coffee, start making the coffee.” I had to start making the coffee. Or, decide I’m okay with the coffee being made.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m doing a monthly show called Pat Flood’s Sick Joke at a gallery space called The Earl. It’s a great little venue, exposed brick, the guy that owns it is a doll. I’m producing with Lydia Lucero, who’s a great friend and collaborator.

We’re paying our comics, we’re selling our tickets, we’re layin’ it on thick. It’s been rewarding to put energy into something that feels like mine.

I’m producing a short film called “Her U-Turn” with a couple fire starters, Lynette Roqueta and Kate Chiplinsky. That’s been an exciting collaboration to sink my teeth into.

Professionally, I’m working in the unscripted space. It’s a lot of fast-changing priorities, problem solving, and unintentionally hilarious scenarios. My focus has to stay on doing my job well during the day and building something for myself off the clock. I trust it’s all leading me to what’s next.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Tons of money.

As a byproduct of taking risks that feel authentic to me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @pure_patties

Image Credits
Smo Ostrowski