Today we’d like to introduce you to David Patterson.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is David Patterson and I was born in Raleigh, NC. My family moved to Richmond, VA when I was three years old where I then spent all of my childhood. For the early part of my life, I adored history and wanted to be a paleontologist with a high interest in prehistoric life such as dinosaurs. After years of research, I decided it wasn’t the career path I actually wanted in life.
I then grew an interest in filmmaking – funny enough it was due to Jurassic Park’s “behind the scenes” documentary of how it was made. I then got my first camera in 8th grade where I proceeded to teach myself how to do visual effects and editing. Back in 2006, Youtube was a brand new place and it was the wild west. I posted my first ever successful Youtube video in 2007 which was an animated Star Wars lightsaber fight. Unfortunately, after that there wasn’t much success on the website for the coming years taking this approach to a YouTube channel – so I changed gears again. I then for two years went into a criminal justice program to see if I would be interested in joining law enforcement to work for the FBI or CIA in Washington, DC.
I realized the lifestyle wasn’t for me and I headed to Community College in Midlothian, VA to try and get my life straight and see what I wanted to do for only one semester. In order to give me a path I looked to the past when filmmaking seemed to be my true love. So I finished the semester and transferred to a film school in Virginia Beach, VA for a new start and the pursuit of “stardom.”
After year three of film school, I then had the scary realization that I didn’t enjoy working on a traditional film set – I just wanted to make stuff on the go. Trying to find myself once again, I’d go to the local skatepark to clear my mind. There somebody noticed my Mustang GT and asked “why don’t I see you at car events?” That was the moment my life changed forever.
I went to nighttime car meets and occasional street racing meets where I took in car culture on a whole new level – and finally found somewhere I belonged. I then turned back to Youtube with my newfound knowledge of cars and attempted to “review” a car for the first time as they did on automotive journalist channels. The first video was a big hit and I realized this is where I truly needed to be. So after graduating college and I asked my parents if I could move back in with them in 2013, This was to attempt to be an early “professional” Youtuber.
After grinding away day after day in January of 2014 I was officially full-time on Youtube doing automotive content after trying for four years – and the rest is history. In 2016 I relocated to Atlanta, GA for more opportunities, and thankfully has paid off.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It went in stages. The early days were incredibly rough – my special effects videos wouldn’t even hit 100 views. So when I changed to car videos and saw the potential consistent viewership it was something I couldn’t let get away.
The most difficult part of my career was moving to Atlanta, GA. It was a big financial slump due to all the expenses and was emotionally challenging since I moved to a city I didn’t know anybody – but it’s easily one of the best things I’ve ever done.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
When it comes to creating content, I think the thing I’m the proudest of is that I’ve filmed, produced, and edited every single one of my videos by myself. It does create a lot of stress – but it gives me the ultimate creative control to make whatever I want exactly how I want it. You rarely find that in the Hollywood system.
I’m mostly known for reviewing people’s modified cars or giving my commentary on new performance cars and how they impact the industry. I’ve driven over 1400 cars at this point and counting. It brings a whole new perspective on how you view every single car you get to drive.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
The people. Always willing to help and extremely friendly. As for the least, I’ll probably have to give you a raincheck on that one!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.youtube.com/user/thatdudeinblue
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatdudeinblue/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dudeinblue
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thatdudeinblue
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/thatdudeinblue
