[Remmy.] I'd have to say this has been a long time coming. It's been amazing watching you grow over the last couple of years! But for starters, and our community of Urban Gorillas, who is Patrick Brouder? Was G-Fuel the platform that got you inspired to pursue promoting and marketing for even bigger brands?
[Patrick.] Thank you for doing this with me man! Your support over the years is something I can't thank you enough for. Well, to cover the basics, I am a videographer and photographer from Indianapolis, Indiana, but am currently based out of Cleveland, Ohio for work. GFuel was definitely my first big stepping stone for my career. I originally joined as graphic designer, and was told that I either need to improve or do something new. Photography was the only "creative" thing I hadn't tried at that point, so I grabbed my dad's Nikon D3300 and went to town. I dove into photography head first with no clue about ANYTHING. I spend my senior year of high school and the summer before attending Ball State University to study Marketing and Journalism Graphic Design. Over that time a gained a a decent skillset, "fan base", and my own "style" (if you could even call it that). I ended up withdrawing after my first year to pursue part-time working at a grocery store, and the rest for freelance work!
[Remmy.] I remember you emphasizing the lack of inspiration where you grew up shooting...was this due to the area you lived/grew up in? Or what made you feel like it was the best time to expand you talents outside of your hometown?
[Patrick.] I'm going to keep it real. From a lifestyle/creative viewpoint, Indianapolis was toxic. The majority of the rappers, photographers, videographers, and artists are fake and will pretend to like you and be your friend, but they really want whatever you can give to them. I too, struggle with that mindset at times. That place can make you defensive about who you keep close. There's a handful of people that I still talk to from back home. In Indy, you have your group of brothers and sisters you're cool with, and the rest you don't really hit up often. The minute I had a job opportunity that was reasonable, I took it, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. The minute I got that job, guess who came back in the dm's. But outside of that, I love my friends and family there. I grew up in a nice area with a fully supportive family, so I don't have too much to complain about there.
[Remmy.] I would imagine you probably get a good number of people that contact you looking to be "put on" or given some connection you've earned and made...instead, what's your best advice to people looking to follow your footsteps?
[Patrick.] LOL! Yes, I get a good amount of people that come to me looking for advice, critiques, or that just want to establish a relationship! I gotta say, it's encouraging to know that people view me as someone successful. I would say my best advice would be 5 things; Don't ever stop taking photos or videos, NEVER get comfortable no matter what position you are in (when you go idle, you plateau), don't be afraid to be NEW (try new locations, try new angles), be ACTIVELY social (you can't be afraid to go up to people and introduce yourself in a chill, but personable level. you never know who will meet, and what CONNECTIONS you will make, and never burn your bridges (this is self explanatory).
The Legion took a trip to Detroit, MI where we went to @RocketMortgage HQ 🚀 and made our way through a tour of @stockx! 👟
— Cavs Legion (@CavsLegionGC) July 16, 2018
Take a look 👀 pic.twitter.com/iAyI1YSuBy
[Remmy.] So what's next for you in your journey? I know the Cavs opportunity is BIG for you! Do you care to go into what it is you do exactly with them? I’m sure this is just a stepping stone, you seem like a guy that has a bigger picture in mind for yourself.
[Patrick.] So the new position that I moved to Cleveland for is with @CavsLegionGC, the NBA 2K League team for the Cavs, as the lead videographer. I basically live with the guys in our facility and run content alongside Halina Malik, Manager of Content and Marketing, and Anthony Muraco, Director of Gaming Operations. I am in charge of filming and editing content for our sponsors, partners, and our own content! I definitely see myself staying in Cleveland for a few more years with the Cavs, assuming all continues to go well at least! I would love to for my career to continue down the eSports route, but who knows where I'll go!
[Remmy.] What's a quote you live by, or something lately you've found yourself saying a lot?
[Patrick.] I constantly butted heads with my parents back home. I love them to death, but I can be a handful sometimes. My dad always had one saying for me. Anytime I started to slack on something, he wrote it on a sticky note and we put it on a cabinet in the kitchen I was by all the time. "Trust. Responsibility. Self Control." As long as I kept seeing that, things started to go well for me. I need to pick up that saying again (can't get too comfortable here in CLE 😁)