Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Ortiz.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve had a camera in my hands as early as I could remember. I used to write scripts and have my cousins act them out while I filmed all for fun. Then when I was in high school, I got into editing and found out what film school was and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to work in film production as my career. So the next logical step was going to film school after I graduated high school. I ended up going to Colombia College Hollywood and majoring in Screenwriting. I only went for a year before I felt that I had gotten all I could’ve really gotten out of it. It was then that I also realized that on-set experience was what was going to take me further than school ever would have.
As I started working on production sets and trying to figure out exactly what I wanted to do in the industry, I started shooting and editing on my own as a Videographer. I would make a variety of content from Youtube Videos to model videos for influencers to business promotions. The more I would shoot and edit the more skills I learned and the more creative my content would become.
I started working with a company called 7th Tribe Productions, originally as a writer, but then slipped into a Producing role as well. Recently, I’ve been helping produce TV segments for a new show coming soon with the R&B artist Jon B and radio personality PJ Butta.
On another note, during the start of quarantine, I decided to dive deeper into the editing world and learn as much as possible. Slowly started making my way into visual effects which is what I spend most of time on right now. Anything from making personal graphics and animation to vfx for music videos and films.
In addition to all of that, I also am Co-Host of the podcast Bar.Bs Podcast. Which is a comedy podcast about the Bar Industry and what it’s like to Bartend. We have gotten a lot of love for the podcast so far and we are gearing up for Season 2 coming up in October!
Has it been a smooth road?
It has definitely been a struggle. I am a single mom and I had my daughter right after high school so finding that work/home life balance was really difficult. I am extremely lucky to have very supportive parents that have been there to watch my daughter while I went to school and worked.
Although it is still difficult to balance everything, having a daughter makes me more motivated to keep pursuing my passion and dreams to show her that it’s possible, no matter what you go through in life.
Motivation is one of the biggest struggles for me though on a daily basis. That is why it is extremely important to surround yourself with people who match your drive and ambition or work harder than you. I am constantly motivated and pushed by my two good friends/ coworkers Chaz and Nico. Being around them and seeing what they are doing and working on makes me so much more motivated to match their level of hustle.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am most proud of the visual effects I do. Making things from scratch, turning things into holograms, animation and motion graphics.
My visual effects work mostly fall into two categories. One being trippy psychedelic visuals and the other being more of augmented reality, futuristic visuals.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I love LA. You are surrounded by talented creative people everywhere you go. You can make connections everywhere you go, the coffee shop, a bar, a gym, literally anywhere. The key is putting yourself and your work out there so when you do meet people, you can collab with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: natalieortizmedia.com
- Email: natortizcreates@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natsnac/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/nographicsnat/
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