Meet Patricia Pham | Animation Storyboard Artist and Dog Enthusiast

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

Hi Patricia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I grew up with immigrant parents who were always busy working, so I spent a lot of time watching animated shows and movies. I constantly recorded Saturday morning cartoons on VHS so I could rewatch them throughout the week since we didn’t have cable. I loved the funny silly ones that brought laughter, and I loved the serious emotional ones that brought tears. This resonated with me as I entered college- I enrolled in an animation class and realized I enjoyed solving creative problems a lot more than figuring out a proof for calculus. From watching movies crafted for the big screen or watching television in my living room, stories and characters that stirred emotions and kickstarted thoughts and ideas were projects I wanted to be a part of creating. Sharing stories from humans experiences and having the opportunity for audiences to relate or empathize with became a career goal. However, with the decline in Los Angeles’ entertainment industry, these past couple of years have been really rough and disheartening. There are glimmers of hope and I really do hope for my sake, and others who also love being a part of telling stories for television and movies, will be able to continue making and being part of inspirational projects.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As challenges continuously face creatives in the entertainment industry the past couple of years, a lot of people have been struggling. Work has been drying up and even if some find work, projects are becoming shorter and shorter in terms of how many months you might be employed for. I worked really hard to find my place in animation- working unpaid internships, taking additional classes that required a lot of time after working full-time, learning how to network, growing a thick skin, and picking up soft skills that make working on a team productive, efficient, yet still fun. Seeing everyone’s hardwork at the end of a project is always fulfilling, especially when audiences (including friends and family) watch and enjoy them too. Learning how to transition and being open to expanding your skillset was a valuable skill I learned as well. It’s something that never ends which also keeps the work exciting. With all that said, I am currently enrolled in a library program with my eyes set on working at a studio for archiving if jobs do not stabilize. If I might not be able to be involved in the storytelling process, preserving stories after they are made for the future is just as important. However, I still have hopes jobs will return and projects will be greenlit.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is such a loaded question because I think Los Angeles has something to offer for almost every type of interest. We could probably go for a light hike at the Hollywood Reservoir and find a place for coffee or lunch after that doesn’t have a long wait. Another day would entail strolling through the Huntington Library and Gardens then eating at Chang’s Garden for some seaweed fried fish afterwards and grabbing boba. Besides asking what foods they like, I’d also ask what type of foods they’ve been wanting to try. Because Los Angeles is a melting pot of so many different cultures, there is more than likely an amazing restaurant or pop-up that exists. Aside from eating, I also like to actually ‘DO’ stuff-I’d check on Eventbrite or Fever to see what events are happening that week too- I’ve found fun workshops such as creating your own mini-terrarium in DTLA and have gone to immersive theatrical themed events held at venues where you can dress up, enjoy music, eat, and dance while solving a mystery/problem of some sort.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thinking back on this journey, there are many moments of support from my community that paved this path that I am so grateful for. From the start, my family had always encouraged my artistic endeavors. The biggest shoutout to my mom who understood the importance of artistic expression and would spend her time driving me to art lessons on weekends. At my first full-time gig as a production assistant, my colleagues asked about my career goals to see how they could help. I soon learned that those in the animation community were always generously and genuinely ready to offer their time, mentorship, and advice when asked. When I transitioned roles in the industry, people were always in my corner—from colleagues to friends, I was usually met with enthusiasm when I needed help and feedback. I hope they know who they are because there are more than just a few to shout out to, who believed in me, gave me chances, and helped me reach my goals in animation. I always try and pay it forward when an opportunity opens because I know how impactful it is. Also shoutout to my partner in crime for always patiently listening to my pitches and helping punch up my jokes time to time.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_pham

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciapham07/