Megan Patsel
Megan Patsel
Writer / Creative Professional
Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA
www.meganpatsel.com
instagram @meganpatsel
twitter @meganpatsel
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a writer and creative person. ”
Part arts-n-crafts, part artist, part consultant (all vague words to describe how I do many things for many people!) As a writer, I do copywriting for e-commerce, media and entertainment. As a crafty-person, I have intermediate to advanced skills with Adobe Photoshop/ Illustrator / Premiere and hand-drawn illustration, so I do freelance work utilizing that. As an artist, I write and perform comedy, which translates super well to freelance work for brands that identify with my voice. Oh and one last thing: I spent the last three years doing customer service at a startup, so you could say I also do customer service and other related tasks!
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
The knack for crafts and creativity has always been there, so I’ve just taken steps to cultivate and find my niche career path. I try to say yes to a variety of opportunities, even if they’re unanticipated. For instance, I fell into copywriting when a friend needed help for her fashion brand. I started writing comedy when a classmate told me I’m funny and wanted me to work on her pilot. As I met more people and received more and more feedback, I narrowed down my path to the point where I’m at now: confident in my skills, proud of my work, and eager to find cool people and projects to work with. I also majored in theatre (and minored in studio arts) in college and got out there with jobs, internships, and student productions as quick as I could. I took that work ethic with me to NYC for five years where I wrote and performed tons of comedy shows!
How do you stand out in your field?
To answer that, I think I need to show you what I was like as a kid... When alone, I’d set up a “desk” on the floor with my great-aunt’s old typewriter, old rotary phone, a mug full of pens, and a legal pad. I’d demand “meetings” at 6am (?) where coffee and donuts would “be provided” (??) Then I’d pretend to fax something and slam my fingers on the keyboard of the typewriter and make a few “calls.” After that, when my friends were around, I’d cast them in a “show” that I would then produce, choreograph, style and direct all to present later to my parents at whatever dinner party they were having. I would emcee also… yeah.
So that’s the kind of person I am! Part office person, part artsy person. I still play in both worlds and that’s what makes me stand out. Not every artist has worked at a corporate startup in New York City, and not every corporate employee has worked as a freelance artist. I’ve done both happily, and love combining elements of each; like a right-brain vs. left-brain exercise. If you’re looking for someone talented who also knows how to effectively manage a project, then I’m your girl.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
Last year I wrote an unauthorized Miley Cyrus / Hannah Montana musical called “Trey the Play.” We toured it in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, and this year I’d like to get good footage of our next production and enter the show in a few festivals so we can tour more. So I'm working on directing and producing that right now! I’m also freelancing for Charlotte Stone Shoes, where I do customer service, some fulfillment/returns, and some consulting and copywriting.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is: 80s music, musicals, cabaret shows, dance teams, 90s aesthetics, punk rock, teen magazine collages, writing in your diary with gel pens, biking through the suburbs, YA coming of age novels, California. You’ll see these themes a lot in my now defunct dance team, the Community Dance Corps, and my graphic design projects.
As far as my perspective goes, I strive to be like the comedians John Early, Peter Smith, and Christopher Guest. I like to think their influence is evident in my short film “Mary Beth’s Sex Tape” which I wrote, directed and edited. The comedic voice in that project feels a lot like me!
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Directing. Whether it’s art direction or a film production, I wish I could focus more on being a leader and trusting my skills enough to put myself in charge. I think this will come in time as I gain more and more experience under my belt. I really look forward to being trusted and respected as an authority on a project!
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
I’m definitely my own worst enemy, so I can frustrate myself a lot when I’m not 100% on top of my goals. For instance, I want to take on more clients, but sometimes I avoid pursuing opportunities because I’m afraid of what kind of stress might come with it. There’s always going to be stress around a deadline, or keeping a client happy, and sometimes I get afraid to put myself in that position even though the reward is much much greater than the risk of that stress. I hope that makes sense! To answer the question, I frustrate myself when I delay projects that I know could be good for me in the long run :)
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would definitely hire someone to set up my projects for me. For instance, when I get a new graphic design project, the hardest part is often beginning. I find myself doing a lot of ‘pre-work’ (like researching, thinking, planning, etc) before I feel ready to start. If someone could do that for me, like set up templates and inspiration boards and ask the client the questions I need in those moments, that would be fab! Then all I have to do is pop on a playlist and do my thing.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I could’ve told myself a few years ago that I have more value than I let myself think. That I can be empowered to ask for the raise or audition for the role or apply for the job. That I’m allowed to have the things I want. I’d gone by so long by telling myself “I’m not qualified” and then watching someone else who’s DEFINITELY not qualified get what I want. Saying “I’m not qualified” is actually a cop-out a lot of the time, and I think I was doing it because I was afraid of succeeding or something. I would tell that younger self that faking it till you make it is real, and that I’m really genuinely qualified for the opportunities I want!
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
Sometimes I just want someone to tell me what to do, so I don’t have to agonize over the decision making. And it would be awesome if that someone had a crystal ball to know what decision is going to be fruitful and which aren’t. For instance, I’m looking to get a car right now. Do I buy used or lease new? If I buy used, should I get the more expensive car that has less mileage and more aspects I like, or get the cheaper one with more miles? Get me an expert who knows which way to go on these things! Even the bigger things like career stuff!
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I’m looking for opportunities with other interesting creatives on board, and exciting goals/projects. For instance, at Charlotte Stone I get to work with this fab shoe designer on a brand that’s growing fast and launching more and more unique styles that I love. The founders understand my skills, and trust me with projects both creative and administrative. I love collaborating with a small team and I love feeling valued for my contributions. If I could find another gig like this, I’d be so happy! Especially if it involves some of my other skills and interests, like entertainment and/or writing.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Ideally right now I’d be assisting a creative leader who relies on me for task-based and project-based work. Like a director’s assistant, writer’s assistant, support associate, coordinator, consultant, etc. I want a project I can produce and problem-solve on, while also inputting my own creativity and voice. A role that values my creative eye and opinions, but also utilizes my work ethic and professional skills. If that sounds vague then good: I’m open to all opportunities right now, especially if someone is reading this and thinking I could be their match!
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
I can be flexible on rates and pricing depending on the project. In the past, I’ve charged $50-80/hr for specialized creative work like editing, graphic design, and copywriting. My day rate for assisting on photoshoots and one-day projects has been $600. For more general assisting roles, I may quote around $35.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
“Everyone has been doing emails” -Britney Spears, 1999. Mine is patsel.megan@gmail.com and I'd love to get to know the people on the project along with their goals! And of course, how I can help :)
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
The Artists Way!
This member profile was originally published in x 2020.