Welcome to the Loveworks dreamers and doers Podcast # 49. At Loveworks we believe you are NEVER too young to be a dreamer and NEVER too old to do your dream.
If this is your first time, thank you for joining us and giving us the thing that means the most to you – your time. If you’re returning, welcome back! We know you have lots of options out there in the Podcast universe.
Our hope with Dreamers & Doers podcast is that each week’s special guests will connect with you wherever you find yourself today and inspire you to become the best version of yourself for tomorrow.
Patrick Rieger: Writer and Producer in Kids & Family Media
Patrick is a writer and producer in kids and family media whose work ranges from Power Rangers to PAW Patrol. He’s written for Justice League Action, Unikitty!, DC Super Hero Girls, Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac, Octonauts, and a whole bunch of shows about trains. Patrick and his family live in Los Angeles, California.
Patrick says he is more naturally a doer! He loves jumping in and trying stuff. He is in the mindset of learning along the way.
Becoming a Cartoon Writer
Patrick grew up in a house that encouraged writing and creativity. Patrick’s dad worked for the Norman Transcript, and Patrick would get to pick the comics that would go in the paper. This is when Patrick really got to see the business side of comics and fell in love with it.
While Patrick was in high school and college he not only worked on making his writing better, but also began working with kids at after school programs or camp counseling. He read Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point and learned so much about kids and cartoons. He realized he could pursue a career in kids and family media.
Making Dreams a Reality
It can be hard to make it in L.A., but Patrick was determined. He began taking classes and perfecting his craft. He made new friends and met many people along the way. He was inspired by Preschool Clues by Angela Santomero and Bad Guys Don’t Have Birthdays by Vivian Paley.
During some of the dinners he would attend, Patrick realized he should be networking with his peers. He started a small writing group and helped him make connections that furthered him in his career.
Patrick is also part of the Animation Guild, which works for better treatment of animation writers.
Pursuing Careers
Patrick says that if you are interested in moving to L.A., you need to be very specific about what it is you want to do. Be sure to make friends with everyone around you, not just the big shots. When you know what it is you’re passionate about, finding a path will be much easier.
Patrick’s Advice–
Patrick encourages you to never feel like you are behind. Everyone takes their own journey to get to the place they want to be, and there is no competition to get there. Enjoy the journey and learn as much as you can along the way! For further reading check out Range by David Epstein.
Interested in cartoon writing? Patrick shares a favorite podcast and other resources here.
Key Takeaways:
- Make connections with those around you.
- Take classes and take opportunities to learn.
- Don’t compare yourself to others.
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