In the Paddock With: Tim Patterson - Digital Media Creations

He’s a familiar face, but let’s meet the man behind the camera - Tim Patterson of Digital Media Creations (DMC). With a background in documentary filmmaking, writing and editing across the film and television industry, Tim founded DMC in 2011, bringing stories to life through creative video production and visual storytelling. His love of horses began growing up riding on a small farm in Tasmania, and he now combines that passion with his work producing engaging content for the thoroughbred industry.

Q: Coffee or tea?

A: Strong Almond milk latte

Q: Pineapple on pizza: culinary crime or unfairly maligned?

A: I understand people's aversion to it, but I kind of dig it. Judge not.

Q: Early bird or night owl?

A: I think in this industry you have to be an early bird.

Q: Country or city – where does your heart really belong?

A: Grew up in the country, always yearn to go back there.

Q: What's your go-to Saturday night meal?

A: Japanese. Poke bowl or Okonomiyaki.

Q: Fashion or form guide at the races?

A: Oooh, neither - I am neither fashionable nor a punter, so I'd say friendship.

Q: A perfect day off looks like...

A: Parkrun in the morning, board games or Playstation with the family. Dip in the pool or a bushwalk.

Q: What's a skill you have that would surprise people who know you professionally?

A: I speak fluent Japanese and once worked as a radio correspondent for a Japanese radio station.

Q: What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?

A: Follow the path you WANT to with passion, rather than the path you think you SHOULD follow. My late father.

Q: What's a TV show or book you'd recommend?

A: 7-Up series. It shows how we are the net result of our choices in life.  

Q: If you weren't in the thoroughbred industry, what would you be doing?

A: A film director.

Q: What's the biggest lesson the racing and breeding industry has taught you?

A: Relationships and communication are EVERYTHING.

Q: What's something you believed 10 years ago that you've completely changed your mind on?

A: The importance of money. I now realise that TIME is more important.

Q: What's the most memorable meal you've ever had, and where was it?

A: Lunch at MOMA in Hobart - where I realised and told my parents that I was going to marry my (now) wife of 22 years.

Q: What's still on your bucket list?

A: Hike the Inca Trail into Machu Picchu.

Q: What's a place in Australia (or the world) you think is underrated and everyone should visit?

A: Country Japan - outside of the big cities. Think Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, any of the other islands. Get adventurous.

Q: Who is someone - famous or not - that you think deserves more recognition?

A: Service workers and cleaners, anyone who does a job you wouldn't do.

Q: What was your very first job, and what did it teach you?

A: Picking up horse poo in my neighbour’s paddocks.  No job is beneath you.

Q: If you could invite three people to dinner, who would they be?

A: Steven Spielberg, Gandhi, Robin Williams.

Q: What does success look like to you?

A: Having the time, money, and freedom to balance my life between work, home, and writing.

Q: What's currently on your bedside table?

A: Joel Selwood autobiography

Q: What's one habit that keeps you grounded?

A: Parkrun 5km every Saturday morning

Q: What do you know now that you wish someone had told you when you were starting out?

A: It's okay to say 'No'

Q: What made you smile today?

A: My dog.