Getting to know Patrick Hogue, a talented actor and director that you should keep an eye out for.
In this article, we turn our attention to Patrick Hogue. A gifted actor and director within the film industry.
Tell us a little about yourself, where your from, grew up, what H.S./College you attended, etc.
Hi there, my name is Patrick Hogue and I'm a hopeless optimistic filmmaker currently pursuing my passion for filmmaking. After graduating from Wheatland Chili High School in upstate NY, I attended the Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Film and Animation where I met so many others that shared my passion and who I still collaborate with to this day. After this time I moved to Los Angeles, CA in 2017 where I spent four years learning the ins and outs of the industry first hand. In May of 2021, I moved to Brooklyn, NY where I currently reside, still pursuing my passion of filmmaking.
What inspired you to get into acting and filmmaking? Early experiences worth sharing?
Having been obsessed with film from such a young age, it wasn't until the dawn of YouTube that I realized production was a viable career path for someone with my passion. It was that home grown, DIY, filmmaking, along with finding my passion for acting while performing in my highschool's musical every year that really set the template for my ambitions later in life. It was this early environment that really let me work through a lot of the fundamentals, making me feel much more equipt for what film school was ready to ask of me.
Talk about a time where you have faced adversity/conflict and have triumphed.
Moving both to Los Angeles and New York provided two very different perspectives on the same conflict. Moving to LA was a cold shower moment proving to me that no matter how much passion you have, it's not enough to succeed without the experience and reality check that this industry will constantly embed in you. I have been blessed with an incredible support system of people that will always be there to catch me when I fall, but when I was in LA, I was the furthest I had ever been from that support system. It was on me to stop feeling sorry for myself and realize that the only way I was going to get where I wanted to was by making money, and to be ready to learn from anyone that was willing to teach me. It took time, but my comfortability and support group grew in LA, making it the home I never thought it could be at first.
New York has been very different beast, even with my expectations having been in check for what this move would mean. I figured being in my 20's and using the pandemic as an excuse to move would justify the leap across the country. I wanted a refresh, but moving without a job in place turns out to be a very stupid idea. But I already learned the lesson in LA on how to pick myself up and start working where I could, which is what I did. While I may not have the same time commitment in NYC as I had in LA, I'm already seeing the fruits of my labor pay off. Moving to New York taught that no matter how much you think you've learned, you can always be knocked back to square one. But it doesn't mean you're any less wiser.
What do you believe sets you apart from other actors and filmmakers?
It's hard to say what sets me apart from other actors and filmmakers, because it's everyone's individual characteristics that give them the value they need as an artist to succeed. If I and someone else were given the exact same script to direct, they would be vastly different films, just based on our different perspectives and life experiences. That being said, I do think I have an extremely valuable sense of self-reflection and I learned early on in my creative career that collaboration is the only way to make great art. I am surrounded by those around me whom I trust to tell me when I suck. I'm also absolutely willing to listen to everyone around me, where, while I may not agree with some things that are suggested, it is never without consideration, and usually leads to other ideas, both directing and acting wise, that I would not have come to through my own endeavours.
Do you have other interests or hobbies?
I am extremely interested in video games, to the point that I would love to design my own at some point in my career. Past that, I'm incredibly fascinated with engineering, sailing, camping, rock climbing, and tv, movies, books, the usual you know.
Any projects you have out or or currently working on?
I have a number of projects that I have either directed or acted in that have been released for which I am extremely proud of. I'll detail links to those projects below.
My latest released short film is a short Horror film entitled SEW which was released on Crypt TV's YouTube channel in February of 2020.
This film was influenced by the works of Manga artist Junji Ito and was my first real stab at existential and body horror, two themes I am extremely interested in.
SEW (Link here)
A short film I starred in, GOOD GUY WITH A GUN was released on Alter's YouTube channel in October of 2020.
It's an unapologetic depiction of an incel that decides they need to purchase a gun to reclaim their "manhood". This was a special project where I had nothing but trust for the collaborators involved, especially the director, BRYIAN KEITH MONTGOMERY JR.
GOOD GUY WITH A GUN (Link here)
The last thing released I'd like to share is another short horror film released on Alter's YouTube channel in May of 2021 entitled CARNIVORE. I play the character of BO who shows up halfway through the film and without spoiling anything, this was a character that was just a blast to play.
CARNIVORE (Link here)
As for projects I have coming up, I am close to completing another short film entitled MY HANDS ARE COLD, which is an experimental look at depression, filmed entirely on Super 8mm film.
I also have a number of feature screenplays I am working on, all at different forms of completion.
Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?
Making films, plain and simple. I'm very confident I can be there in that time frame, baring the world is a bit more put together by then. But as long as the lessons I have and continue to learn are reinforced, and I keep my priorities in check, namely knowing it's the people I'm around that matter, I feel pretty dang good about it.
What advice can you give in regards to individuals looking to enter your line of work?
The two pieces of advice I can give based on my very short career are this:
- Work hard and don't be an idiot, because you would be surprised how low the bar is. If you're perceptive and open to learning from anyone and everyone around you, you'll be shocked at the wisdom that'll just fall into your lap.
- Do something every day towards your goal. It doesn't have to be big, but the only way that script is going to be finished, or that dream is going to be achieved is if you go at it one small step at a time. The big steps will come, but you can make them a lot shorter with that constant persistence you build into your work ethic. Read, watch and write as much as you can, be a sponge, (wearing square pants is optional) and look for the gaps that you can fill in artistically.
How can we follow along in your journey? YouTube? Social media? Sites?
You can see all of the short films I have written and directed on my vimeo at this link.
You can also follow me on instagram where I may not be promoting my career efficiently, but I sure am having a grand ole time posting what I think is funny.
My Instagram
