Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Thompson.
Hi Nathan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I grew up on a farm outside of a small Illinois town. There wasn’t a lot going on, so skateboarding stole my heart. That quickly turned into filming my friends and making highlight reels. Eventually, I moved to Champaign where I studied Philosophy and World Religions at the University of Illinois. After graduating in 2006 I got a job at a small TV station and moved up the ranks. Soon after in 2008, I got recruited to Nashville for a job at CBS Newschannel 5. I began working the weekend shift as a TV News cameraman. CH5 wasn’t your typical turn and burn breaking news station. They prioritized in-depth storytelling and feature news, so I was shooting and editing daily micro-documentaries. In 2011, I got the chance of a lifetime to serve as an embedded war journalist in Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division. At Ch5 I was surrounded by pros, and their commitment to quality rubbed off on me. In 4 years, I won 19 regional Emmys. Independently, I began working freelance jobs with a colleague outside of work. After producing a few TV commercials together in 2012 we officially left our full-time jobs and started a production company called Contrast Visuals. In 2014, I went independent and bought out my business partner. With no one around to curtail my film gear obsession, I rapidly scaled a new equipment rental branch of the company, calling it Contrast Cine. We went from being just me and a camera to becoming one of the South’s leading film gear houses. Of course, this was only possible with a team of incredibly gifted and motivated creatives along the way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have generally followed the idea that if you pack in more work today, you’ll have less to do tomorrow. But…I think I’m wrong about that. Often, accomplishing more work today actually creates more work for tomorrow. This mentality can create an incredibly hungry and insatiable beast. So, for years, I sacrificed my schedule, sleep, and just about everything in the pursuit of progress. I can’t count how many all-nighters I’ve pulled to keep the business on track creatively and financially. It’s certainly been at unhealthy levels for probably more years than not. I don’t come from wealth, so figuring out how to scale a business at times has felt like a risky volatile roller-coaster. But all this has taught me that in order to survive and thrive, I must rely on a support team with specialized skills. That’s been the most relieving and rewarding part of the whole process. One thing I really appreciate about Nashville is that many people in the film community don’t treat competition as an obstacle worth pushing us apart. Rather, we treat it as an opportunity to partner together, with the understanding that a rising tide lifts all boats. Nashville is full of creatives who show up, put in the work, and do it with grace. I appreciate how we commonly avoid petty scuffles by seeing the bigger picture together and finding happiness in others’ success.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a freelance Director of Photography. Or maybe Cinematographer is the more relatable term. I primarily film commercials, TV series, and documentaries for established networks and brands. For any project I’m on, it’s my job to push creativity, establish a cinematic look, and capture a relatable and compelling story. Filmmaking is the eyeball business, and every show and commercial are competing for your attention, so I’m always working to earn that attention. It’s been my life’s pursuit to understand what creative and technical tools are needed to craft an interesting story and professional look. Along the way I’ve worked with brands like Amazon, Google, Jack Daniel’s, ESPN, and celebs like Taylor Swift, Nicole Kidman, Wayne Gretzky & many more. I think what makes me unique is my extensive experience behind the camera and my access to production gear and crew. With my experience and resources, it’s second nature for me to efficiently envision, budget, and execute a production plan that could otherwise be challenging. I also am a huge believer in community service and giving back. So, I have volunteered my time for a 501(c)(3) called the Nashville Filmmakers Guild since 2015 to help promote our film industry and provide opportunities and education for people new to our industry or city.
We’d love to hear about what you think about risk-taking?
Scaling a business has overall made me less risk-averse. It has made me more comfortable running after risk and having confidence that I can overcome it. To me, business itself is a risk. Financially, I’ve taken huge risks, for me. Whether it’s big equipment loans, building out a 7,000 sq ft building from nothing, or hiring new staff, the funds and opportunities rarely come first. It’s very much an ‘if you build it…I sure hope they will come’ scenario. You just hope that your instincts are good and that your investment of time and money will pay itself back. I try to manage risk gradually, by only taking on more risk when growing demand is clear. New risk aims to meet new demand. If demand slows, you have to be comfortable downscaling too. It’s fun to scale up! It’s not so fun to scale down. But both are necessary for survival and smart business. Eventually, business starts feeling like a game to play or a puzzle to solve, rather than a life-or-death situation. I prefer to try to keep it positive and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, rather than the crushing pressure that can come to bear. All of the risk has helped me develop instincts on how to make moves smart and quick, and also when to be really honest with myself that I’ve lost a battle and need to pivot.
Contact Info:
- Email: nathan@contrast-visuals.com
- Website: www.contrastcine.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contrast_cine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/njthomps/
Image Credits
Ash Summerford
Destiny Keller
Danielle Shields
