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

Hi Patrick, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m from the island of Guam. Moving from a small island (just 212 square miles) of 140,000 people to the sprawling city of Los Angeles and its millions and millions of residents, was a bit of an adjustment, obviously. But one way that growing up on Guam has impacted me and helped shape who I am to this day is in recognizing how interconnected we all are as one people. The island lifestyle, where everything and everyone is so close at hand, really creates a tight sense of community – you must rely on one another and trust one another. And perhaps sometimes that can be harder to experience in the big city or out in rural areas, but on Guam your friends are part of your family and the bonds of friendship run incredibly deep. And family bonds are extensive and so rich. Here in the states, your third cousin twice-removed might be a total stranger. But on Guam, that person might be your best friend.

So growing up in a tight community like Guam, where the people are so caring and interconnected, has really influenced me as a person and a filmmaker. I think one common thread in my movies is the idea that human’s crave and need connectedness. We cannot thrive, yet alone survive, alone. I think the best movies (and stories) touch on universal themes with their specific characters and Guam has instilled in me that sense that we don’t survive alone, we survive in community. And I think that carries across to how I interact with people in my work environments as well – that sense of community means that I always work for the success of the team and the group, and never to step over others to achieve personal success, at the expense of others. They say that a rising tide lifts all boats, and I think that is a lesson every island kid learns pretty early in life, and something that I’ve tried to carry over in my personal and professional life here in Los Angeles: We don’t’ survive alone. We survive together.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to start any discussion of my professional career by saying that one of the things I’m most proud of is that I’m a 7-time Emmy loser. Obviously, it’s a little funny and eye-catching; most people don’t like to call out all the times they’ve lost. But for me I think it helps explain who I am. I’m successful, I’m good at what I do, but I’m also hungry to do more and do better and haven’t reached the pinnacles of my goals. I’m proud that I’ve had so much success here in Hollywood, but I’m also hungry for more…

I’ve written and directed several short films and one feature film. I’m also a supervising sound editor who works on some of the top-rated tv shows. But what I’m most proud of is when people who work with me, whether working for me on my films, or when I work for them as a sound editor on their projects, want to work with me again because the experience was so positive and rewarding. I like having repeat clients and I like having repeat collaborators and I’ve been very fortunate to have a lot of both. I was able to watch one of the PAs on my feature film flourish in her career and many years later I ended up working for her as she is now a very successful post producer in television, and that was so rewarding to me both personally and professionally.

And that is why despite how hard it is to succeed in the film/tv industry in LA, and the challenges that come with working in such a demanding and sometimes cut-throat business, I’ve actually found it fun and so rewarding. I get to work with so many wonderful people, who are both talented artists and lovely human beings. LA can have a reputation sometimes as a town of vanity and artifice, but I’d really disagree. I’ve had the pleasure of working with and working for a lot of very genuine people who really love what they do and love entertaining audiences.

And if there is one important lesson I’ve learned that is it – be genuine, be collaborative, be giving and be joyful – and you will find yourself working with other people who are the same. And don’t be afraid to play big and risk failure – failure is just an opportunity to learn what you need to know to succeed.

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.
If I had a week to spend taking someone new to LA around to see the sights and sounds, I think it would include the following:

LA Galaxy soccer game, LA Lakers basketball game, Dodgers baseball game, with at least one of those games involving picking up subs from Cavarreta’s Deli on Sherman Way in Canoga Park and a cooler of beer for tail-gating, hiking in Griffith Park, a visit to Griffith Observatory, biking from Malibu all the way down the boardwalk thru Santa Monica and Venice ending with a meal at C&O Trattoria on Washington Blvd (garlic knots, yum!), more hiking in Malibu Creek Park and Temescal Canyon Park (for the amazing views!), shows at the Pantages and Ahmanson theaters, concert at Disney Hall, seeing a classic rock band at a sold out show at the Hollywood Bowl, looking at the stars on the sidewalks and people-watching on Hollywood Blvd., fishing on Big Bear Lake, a day lying on the beach at Will Rogers State Beach, day-trip to Catalina Island, album-shopping at Amoeba music, a hot dog at Pink’s, catch some up-and-coming stand-up comedians at the Acme Comedy Theater in the NoHo Arts district, paddle boats on Lake Balboa, and maybe if time permits, a Shake Shack burger and fries.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d love to give a Shoutout to my wonderful family. My wife, Krista, is my biggest cheerleader and supporter and she believes in me even when I doubt myself and gives me a kick in the pants when I need it. And my two daughters, Rebecca and Zoe, have really taught me what’s really important in life and inspired me with their awesome-ness. In a town like LA, having a good balance between your work and family life is so hard to maintain but also so crucial, and my wife and kids have made it so much easier for me, because we laugh so much and have so much fun when we are together. I would also love to give a Shoutout to Ash the dog, who has taught me what undying loyalty looks like, and the importance of the afternoon nap.

Website: www.jhdanger.com

Instagram: @ppatrickhogan

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

Twitter: @soccernurd

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJm3O36X5DnNpCVSyfl_zCA

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0389596/

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