Meet Patrick “embryo” Tapu

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Patrick “embryo” Tapu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Patrick “Embryo” , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I’ve always had a deep self confidence in myself from an early age. That doesn’t mean I haven’t dealt with fear, doubt, or ever questioned myself. I definitely have. For whatever reason I’ve always been able to fall back into this space of trust. I’m aware not everyone has that innate self belief, but I do believe it’s accessible to everyone. Meaning, I don’t have something that everyone else doesn’t have at their disposal. That self trust/confidence is our default state that has been covered with the conditioning of the world. So it’s always there, always accessible. I would go as far as to say it’s a super power and everyone has it. Now with that being said, it has been refined over years through life’s challenges and tests. So through engaging with life, it develops on it’s own the more it is utilized and tapped into. You have to face the uncertainty of life and it’s challenges boldly and courageously, then you will find this inner super power that can be named self confidence or trust, even Faith.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Patrick Tapu, I’m more known by the alias “Embryo” within the Music Industry. I’m a creative/artist based out of Los Angeles, CA. For the last 15 years I’ve worked mostly as a Director/Cinematographer, but I also produce and write music, as well as Creative Direct. I’m known for being somewhat of a rebel. I hate being told what to do and how to create which I think is the antithesis of being an artist. Yet, I have to navigate through the Entertainment Industry which is filled with more non-creatives than actual creatives. I love surrealism, juxtaposition and minimalism. I always aim to create art, which isn’t always easy when you deal with a lot of “artists” who are not artists. So I succeed at times, I fail at times, but the journey continues with the same aim, to create a work of art. I’m currently working on film scripts, television show ideas, music projects as well content development for a few companies including Ball Family Farms, which is one of the biggest cannabis growers in Los Angeles. It was founded by my good friend Chris Ball who’s also a creative. We’ve been friends since I started Directing. So there’s a lot of things in development that I’m excited about. I’m also helping my creative partner in crime, Ciara Johnson, on her ‘Rulerless’ brand which is really exciting.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I would say the three most important qualities and skills that had the most impact on my journey were the following;

1. A courageously bold inner self belief and an obsessive outward determination.
No one is going to believe in you or help you more than yourself. If you’re not driven by this insatiable fire inside of you, by love and relentless passion, you will not succeed no matter how much you like the idea. You have to be on fire and it has to come from a deep inner self belief that you can actually create the vision you have.

2. “A closed mouth doesn’t get fed.”
This quote has been the backbone of my journey. It’s one of the most valuable sayings aside from Nike’s “Just Do It!” slogan. You have to ask for what you want. You may get a ‘No!” but if you don’t ask, you will never get a “Yes!” and all that matters is you asking until you get the “Yes!”

3. Never Stop Learning.
Don’t ever feel you’ve reached the finish line in whatever field or craft you are pursuing. Contentment is the death of progress. You have to keep learning and you have to really know that you don’t know everything. The learning never ends. There is no finish line when it comes to learning. Whether it’s a technical skill, or learning about your self. Be curious and have fun with learning so then everything becomes a discovery and that knowledge is both liberating and a power.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

‘The Awakening of Intelligence’ by Jiddu Krishnamurti has had a big impact on my life. It’s not an easy book to read. It’s not entertaining and it doesn’t give you any answers. It is a book that challenges you toward self inquiry. It challenges you to reject any authority outside of yourself. The insight I got from the book is the accepting of ‘What is’. ‘What is’ being another word for truth or fact, reality. Dealing with reality/truth/fact without wanting to change it or run away from it. Great insight comes when you see things as they are, not as you wish them to be, including and especially yourself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.directedbyembryo.com
• Instagram: @DirectedByEmbryo

Image Credits

The first black and white photo in the dark room is by Lauren Chin of @DestructConstruct and the last photo that’s black and white by the white fence was taken by Brandon Moningka @Kaipo81