Acting Insights with Pat Dortch: Navigating the Changing Film Industry | Oui Talk Raw

Pat Dortch of Dortch Acting Studio

Jennifer Busco: Hello everybody, welcome to Oui Talk Raw! I’m Jennifer Busco, your host, and I’m thrilled today because we’re diving into acting—acting in Charlotte, across the country, and around the world. Welcome, Pat Dortch!

Pat Dortch: Thank you very much. Glad to be here.

Good to have you! How are you doing today?

 I’m doing great, thanks for asking.

So, you own Dortch Acting Studios here in Charlotte.

That’s correct.

Tell us about your journey as an actor. What inspired you?

Well, it came from a need to create again. I was in a funk after shutting down a business and wanted to feel good about life. I’d always been a creative person—in high school, I was in musicals, plays, and bands. Shutting down my business forced me to find something that made me feel right again. I took acting classes, and it all started from there.

What age did you start?

At 44. I walked into an acting class taught by Kevin Patrick Murphy in Asheville, who was one of my first teachers along with JD Lewis. I studied for a few years, and JD tapped me to teach. Acting just unfolded quickly from there; I took classes, got an agent, and landed a role on Army Wives. I didn’t book anything for months, though, and actually got cut from that episode! But it was a start.

Army Wives, is that national?

Yeah, it was on TV, I believe on CBS. It was a big deal, especially starting at 44.

That’s amazing! So you got what they call a Taft-Hartley?

Yes, since I had a speaking role on a SAG project, I could join the union immediately. But in the Southeast, you don’t have to, so I waited for a bit.

That’s incredible. And how did that transition work for you, balancing acting with other jobs?

It was hard. I was still making custom furniture and killing myself. Juggling both was tough—sleeping poorly, looking terrible. I eventually read a book called E-Squared, which suggested that if you want something, you should give the universe an ultimatum. So, I asked for a sign. The very next day, I found out I was being evicted because they were running the light rail through our area. I knew it was my sign to go all in on acting.

Wow, you can’t make that up! So, you’ve done national roles and a lot of other work. Tell us about those experiences.

I’ve been really fortunate. I’ve had roles on Nashville, 24: Legacy, House of Cards, Outer Banks, and recently on Found with Shanola Hampton from Shameless. I was on Will Trent, and I’m in Pain Hustlers on Netflix. The people I’ve worked with, both as an actor and a coach, have been amazing. I wake up every morning feeling grateful.

Do you have a ritual to prepare for roles? Like meditation or grounding exercises?

I do. Growing up, my mom had these self-hypnosis tapes, and I’d listen to them. It taught me to relax, which is essential in my process. Even if a role is intense, the actor needs to be calm. Relaxing helps me tap into character deeply.

That’s incredible. How do you step into a character? For someone like me, who’s bad at lying, it seems impossible to pretend to be someone else.

It’s a bit like channeling. You understand what makes a character who they are, then relax and visualize their experiences as vividly as possible. Your brain can’t always tell the difference between something you’ve seen and something you’ve experienced, so it helps you step into their shoes truthfully.

That’s fascinating. So, do you think really talented actors are channeling something almost divine?

I think it starts with a gift. If you have it and put in the hard work, amazing things happen. It took me a long time to realize that if something comes easily, that’s where your energy should go. It’s a true gift to do what you love for a living.

Wow. It’s like being “authentically aligned.” I love that phrase!

I’m stealing that one! Authentic alignment—that’s exactly what it is.

Do you think actors who are more in touch with their emotions in real life are better at tapping into their characters?

It seems that way. But sometimes it’s about how the character hides emotions. The audience often feels more when they sense a character is suppressing emotions. It’s all about making the audience feel.

I know exactly what you mean. Some shows and movies just hit differently. There’s magic in it, and it’s truly collaborative.

Absolutely. And there’s so much behind each scene—the lighting, the sets, the crew. I’ve been on sets where it takes an entire day just to film a few minutes of finished film.

I can imagine! Is there a lot of downtime when filming?

There is. Sometimes I’m in my trailer for hours before my scenes. I’ve learned to take “disco naps”—just 15 minutes to recharge and keep my energy up.

I love it! So, tell us about Dortch Acting Studios. What’s it like there?

We have a wonderful community. It’s a safe space where actors can take risks and fail, knowing that they’ll be supported. Every week, we start with a “circle” where people share how they’re doing. We talk through challenges and celebrate wins. Then we dive into scene work, where students bring their own pieces or scenes they’re working on, and we give feedback. Some of my students are talented writers, too, so it’s a collaborative atmosphere where actors and writers connect.

That sounds amazing. Do people in the Charlotte film industry know to come to you for talent?

Definitely. Charlotte’s growing as a film hub, and it’s fantastic seeing people work together and create amazing work here.

That’s amazing! Speaking of the Southeast, let’s talk about the national scene. What’s happening in Hollywood these days? Things seem to be slowing down. Can you tell us about it?

It’s been quite a ride. If I had to pinpoint it, COVID really shook things up. Everything shut down, and we went from auditioning in person to doing self-tapes. Production did start ramping up after COVID settled down; I was actually doing great work in 2022—or maybe it was late 2021. But then we had the strikes, starting with the writers, followed by the actors. It was a brutal year because, as a union actor, I don’t work outside of union projects, so there was no work. It felt like we hit the brakes hard.

So COVID brought everything to a halt, and then the strikes did the same thing. What’s the outlook now?

Well, it’s complex. Everyone is chasing the money in production, and tax incentives are a huge factor. Georgia has been able to attract so much production because of its great tax incentive program, while places like North Carolina have had ups and downs due to changes in their incentives.

Instead of filming in Hollywood, people are looking for cheaper alternatives. I heard Wilmington used to be a hot spot?

Absolutely! North Carolina was bustling, but we lost a lot of that when our tax incentives were cut. Meanwhile, Georgia ramped theirs up, so a lot of crew had to move to stay employed.

Wasn’t Eastland Mall supposed to become a production hub?

It was. They were looking at making it a major production center, which would have been amazing. North Carolina has so much to offer in terms of location, from mountains to oceans. I recently shot in a professional racing garage—where else could you find something like that?

North Carolina really does have it all. So, let’s shift gears a bit. How do you see AI impacting production and jobs?

AI has been a significant part of the recent strike negotiations. For writers, it’s about job security and ensuring they aren’t replaced by algorithms. For actors, it’s about protecting our likenesses so we aren’t digitally reproduced without permission. AI can reduce costs in production, which is appealing, but the challenge is how to use it without sacrificing people’s jobs.

So, production is slow as everyone tries to figure out the next steps. It feels like there’s been a shift away from Hollywood. Are places like Europe now becoming more popular for filming?

Definitely. Places like Ireland offer gorgeous landscapes and relatively low costs. Productions chase the money, and California is trying to hold onto what it has, so they might have to look at their tax incentives to stay competitive. In a way, the shift might even bring more passion-driven, smaller projects to the forefront.

Indie projects, filmed on an iPhone if need be! There’s something special about those grassroots-driven productions that focus on real human connections, which we seem to need more than ever.

I agree. Smaller, more adaptable productions have a different appeal, especially in a time when people are looking for genuine connections on screen. This could be a phase where indie projects get a real spotlight.

That’s a positive take! But I imagine the slow-down has meant fewer roles across the board?

Yes, when work dries up, there’s not a reduction in actors—A-listers are taking supporting roles, which pushes everyone else down the chain. So, it’s tough for new actors entering the industry right now.

We’re back! You mentioned Charlotte and smaller cities becoming valuable for up-and-coming actors.

Absolutely. The industry isn’t just in Hollywood anymore. We’ve got several series shooting in Charlotte, Wilmington, and across North Carolina. It’s not just about where you live; it’s about finding a community, collaborating, and pushing each other to grow.

With social media, things can spread so fast. Do you think this has sped up the process of getting noticed compared to the old days?

Definitely. Anyone with a phone that has a decent camera can start creating content right where they are. It’s a double-edged sword, though; if you want to excel, you need to connect with people who can help you grow, take classes, and put in the work.

That sense of community is key, especially in creative fields. You feed off each other’s energy, right?

Exactly. You want to be around people who challenge and inspire you. Whether it’s acting, production, or another craft, being part of a supportive community can make all the difference.

How often do TikTok influencers get noticed by Hollywood?

It happens, but transitioning from influencer to actor can be tricky. Being an influencer is about tapping into algorithms and presenting yourself; acting is about bringing characters to life from the inside out.

So, what’s your advice for people wanting to break into acting?

There’s no shortcut. Only do this if you love it because it’s tough. But if you approach it with passion, every opportunity becomes a blessing.

I love that perspective. Speaking of blessings, who’s the most famous person you’ve worked with?

I’ve worked with some big names, like Chris Evans and Shia LaBeouf, and what has surprised me is how open and generous they’ve all been. It’s refreshing and really shows that they’re just human, too.

That’s so inspiring to hear! For our listeners interested in acting, how can they reach you?

They can go to dortchactingstudio.com. We interview everyone first, not to judge their talent but to make sure they’re a good fit for the community. If they’re supportive and aligned with our values, we welcome them.

Thanks so much for joining us, Pat. It’s wonderful to have you here in Charlotte.