Nathan Webb: "Three weeks at Relativity was great but I want more!"
"Getting the opportunity to wake up everyday and go to work with people who love what they do as much you do, collaborating on your own projects whilst working with top industry professionals at LA Center Studios! It sounds like a dream but that's what we did!"
Nathan Webb says as soon as he heard about Relativity School, he "wanted one of those acting spots! The chance to create your own work in a professional studio with industry professionals and like-minded creatives was too much a good opportunity to miss." Nathan enrolled in Relativity's three-week adult acting workshop. Relativity took a few minutes to catch up with Nathan and find out what he thought of the program and what he is working on now:
Hey Nathan! How was your experience in the three-week acting intensive?
Being in the acting program was amazing. I'm not overstating this when I say that the three weeks single-handedly changed my approach to my work, the way I conduct myself in meetings, how I create contacts within the industry and my general outlook on being part of the business.
All my tutors were exceptional and took the time to advise each of us. Small class sizes meant that we had that time to focus individually whilst also having the time to collaborate. Writing our own material was a stroke of genius as it added so much more to the showreel instead of your usual audition pieces that you see on so many showreels.
Do you have a favorite class?
My favorite class was Acting in Film with Lee Cohn. I really identified with Lee's teaching style and his book A Practical Handbook for the Actor should be in any serious actor's library.
Equally, I really enjoyed and learned a lot from Celina Polanco's Business seminar about how we as actors conduct and network ourselves as our own business. It's something I had struggled with before attending and learnt a lot of uselful tips! Thank you Celina!
I also loved doing the audition work with Marwa Bernstein. Marwa took what I was doing before auditions and completely reshaped it and showed me how to approach each piece of text with the same enthusiasm. Cold auditions don't worry me like they did before because Marwa gave me the tools to attack them!
What was the biggest challenge for you?
The biggest challenge for sure was the Improv workshops. I've never been keen on Improv and I openly admit I struggle with it. Or at least I did before attending. I was lucky I got to work with my Relativity teacher Lucas. His background in Improv is immense and he taught me so many techniques and exercises that completely changed my approach and enthusiasm for improv. I actually use quite a few of those techniques now when preparing for a role and preparing for auditions. I can't thank Lucas enough for that because it's given me a new depth that I can reach with my character.
So what's next? Do you still want to act?
I certainly still want to act! The course on a whole has made me want to explore all areas of the industry. I am now in the process of producing some of my own short films. My goal is to produce one piece of my own work every month and work on as many acting projects as I can to boost my portfolio. I'm very interested in getting behind the camera and learning a lot more of that side of the industry. I think one of the main things I learned is the more you can understand all aspects of putting a film together (no matter your chosen job on a film) the better you will be in your chosen field.
Since finishing the program I've been writing a lot and auditioning. I have several roles coming up in the new year which I'm very excited about and I'm in the process of signing with an agency for acting. I'm currently in the pre-production stages on one of my short films with three more in the development stage! Exciting times! I'm also working on a script with fellow alums Nick Portanova (Directing Program) and Allen Kunkle (Acting for Film program) which I'm very excited about! Were hoping to all come together next year and produce something that epitomizes the skills we've learned...and it's a great excuse for us all to meet up! (Not that we need one.)
Would you recommend other individuals to Relativity School?
Absolutely! I think if you really want to pursue having a profession within the film industry then Relativity is a school you should attend. I'd love to go back and do a full three year course. Three weeks was great but I want more! Getting the opportunity to wake up everyday and go to work with people who love what they do as much you do, collaborating on your own projects whilst working with top industry professionals at LA Center Studios! It sounds like a dream but that's what we did!
Also getting advice from experienced Producers, Directors, and Casting Professionals, touring the TV studios with the top execs and special guests, and being given the freedom to explore your own creativity made for the best three weeks you could ask for. Thank you Relativity!
I also have to throw a special shout out to Marcus Fien and Amanda for looking after everyone in housing. They were on call 24/7 and couldn't be more helpful. Thank you.