We had the good fortune of connecting with Patia Prouty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I have probably grown the most through my epic failures.  I think some people approach risk by weighing the cost of the negative outcomes without giving equal weight to the positives.  Just as many things can go right as can go wrong.  The nature of risk is that it’s an unknown variable and can change at anytime.  I try to follow my instincts.  Once I make the decision to take the risk, I don’t look back, I focus on moving forward toward my goal.  Keep your eye on the prize.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a female director and I like to use genres traditionally considered “masculine”  like Action, Sci-Fi and Technology to tell  “feminine” stories about strong female characters set against the backdrop of tough, gritty worlds.  During the pandemic, I wanted something positive to do with my time, I wrote and developed a Sci-Fi series about transhumanism and what it means to be human.  I am incredibly proud and excited about this project.

I began as a costume designer, which is not the traditional path to directing, but any medium can be used to tell a story.  I am often asked for advice about how to get started in the industry.  The business is a contradiction in so many ways.  You can’t get a job, if you don’t have an agent.  You can’t get an agent, if you don’t have credits. You can’t work, if you aren’t in the union and it all feels insurmountable at times.  Don’t give up. Just keep chipping away.  You will find your way in.  Everyone has a different story, mine started as a production assistant on a Michael Jackson music video. Success in anything is a combination of talent, hard work and luck.  I have found that when I work hard and really do my best, the luck just comes and opens the door.  Don’t give up.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I live in the hills and love the walk from The Trails cafe to the Griffith observatory and after lunch outside at Little Dom’s in Los Feliz.

I love to take out of town friends on an “Old Hollywood” day.  Lunch by the pool at the Sunset Marquis, drinks at the Chateau Marmont, Rodeo Dr and Wally’s to sit outside and people watch.
Beachwood Cafe and a walk around Lake Hollywood.  The reservoir is a hidden gem of the city with a view of the city, the Hollywood sign and glistening lake you feel like you are not in LosAngeles.
The Hollywood Night Market at Yamashiro on a spring night.  Food trucks, music, outdoor bar and an incredible view of the city.
The Getty Museum gardens are my favorite on a weekday morning.  An afternoon stroll on Abbot Kinney,  Casa Vega margaritas and tacos, and Redbird for their burrata and citrus salad

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Chris Billig at Scatterlight Studios is a tremendously talented friend and has gone out of his way to support my transition into writing and directing.

Website: www.patiaprouty.com/

Instagram: @ladydirector

Linkedin: Patia Prouty

Facebook: Patia Prouty

Image Credits
first image (hat and sunglasses) Carol Prouty
The two of me in the woods and looking over my shoulder are unknown.
Someone took them on set but not the set photographer. The slate and the reflection of me in the driving shots were both taken by me

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