Nathan Reyes shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Nathan, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Spending time with my 1 year old, film fighting training and being on set
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nathan Reyes I am a SAG Action Actor, Producer, writer and founder of Ironking Productions. I was born and Raised in El Paso, Texas and moved to LA to pursue my dreams in Acting. I am currently in the funding stage of my feature film. This film is special to me because before I ever wanted to pursue acting I wanted to be a police officer in my hometown and the day I was like ready to take the test thinking I’m gonna pass it this time but I was really into trying to pass my test that I wasn’t paying attention to what was going on in the world. That morning that I was supposed to go take the test I got up and it was just another day for me and my dad looks at me and says where are you going, to take my test he says the everything is shutdown, that was the day that everything was shutdown because of Covid. A day later my parents ask me why don’t I go back to school and I thought about it but for some reason the thought of acting came up and I said to myself if I’m gonna do anything I’m gonna do what I’ve always wanted to do acting and so I looked into schools and the best one I found was the New York Film Academy in Burbank and I did the auditions and I got in. That was 5 years ago now and since then making that change was one of the best decisions of my life. I’m not just an actor or stunt performer but also a dad now and I everyone said it’s gonna change you but it’s up to you how that changes you and my son is nothing but motivating for me. Now I have a feature film that I’m trying to get funding for that talks about PTSD with Law Enforcement officers and the affect hit has on officers and their families but what we did was we took some true events from mine and relatives who are officers and combined them with story telling for film and we created this script that is just family, crime drama and its the funding that is the hardest part. See I don’t think it’s just let’s film it and that’s it no this film needs to be seen by the world.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship I have with my son, although he’s still at the learning to talk phase it’s amazing seeing how much he looks up to me but I for me the best part of my relationship with my son is how much he motivates me. Although all he says is dadda and mama just how much he means to me is enough to make me want to do more with my life and make sure that he has the life that I never had. I’m willing to make all the sacrifices right now so that he doesn’t have to. The one thing I can’t wait for is the day I get to find out what he’s passionate about.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there are so many times where eventually we get tired of being a background in someone else’s story. All I envisioned was seeing myself and the movie I’m currently working on at the red carpet and so many people saying you did it. Everyone will be there when you win but won’t be around when you’re struggling. The biggest thing for me was don’t give up your so close to your dream coming true keep pushing forward. I wanted to quit and just go back to what was denied to me from the beginning which was being a police officer but I realize that the story I created allows me to do both acting and playing a cop so really for me it’s about the don’t quit mentality.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
The project I’m currently working on now. This project I’m working on talks about PTSD with law enforcement officers and it’s so personal to me because my family back home in Texas are all law enforcement. This story follows a suspended officer who shot the younger brother of the drug lord when he was undercover and who must race against time to save his brother from that same drug leader. We have everything we need to make this film happen the only thing we don’t have is funding, The biggest issue we have is that no one wants to give an unknown actor the opportunity at the lead role and I totally understand that we need a named actor and we have them in mind but what happened to being all about opportunities, like how do think the actors we know got their names because someone took a chance and gave them the opportunity and I’m ready I know in my heart what I’m capable of as Actor. At the end of the day it all comes back down to who’s gonna give the unknown actor the opportunity to tell his story, inspire the world and the next generation.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from only you can create the opportunities you never had before, with those opportunities comes the risk but no matter what remember that the difference between the possible and the impossible is the determination to see your dreams through. We only get one life, how do you want to be remembered.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: thereyes14
- Facebook: Nathan Reyes
- Youtube: @IronkingProductions
Image Credits
Sebastien Chiu
