Natalie Rae

Sanctuary

1) How did you get into directing? 
A very passionate mother and father that worked in the film industry. Growing up on sets with them, watching dad direct, helping mom do set dec – it becomes your nature and way of life very fast!

2) What is your most recent project? 
Working with one of the top figure skating teams in the world to develop a new style to bring back to the Olympics after they semi-retired. It’s been a really exciting and collaborative way of bringing film and dance and skating together to illustrate a taste of their vision and come back spirit. Super eye-opening to work with people that have been so razor focused for 18 years on one goal, became the best in the world, then where do you go from there?

3) What is the best part of being a director? 
Uniting minds in your audience and being interdisciplinary every day.

4) What is the worst part of being a director? 
Missing your family.

5) What is your current career focus: commercials & branded content, TV, movies? Do you plan to specialize in a particular genre—comedy, drama, visual effects, etc.? 
Commercials, branded content and music videos. I love narrative visual drama that can pull at your heart and mind but isn’t afraid to have fun!

6) Have you a mentor and if so, who is that person (or persons) and what has been the lesson learned from that mentoring which resonates with you?
Life long mentor is my family,  but I’ve met so many smart and talented friends and EPs that are constant supports on a daily and hourly basis! My EPs at OPC in Canada and Sanctuary Content are exceedingly supportive, creative and ambitious. It’s great.

7) Who is your favorite director and why? 
Too many! But I LOVE Steve McQueen. True stories told poetically and brutally.

8) What is your favorite movie? Your favorite television/online program? Your favorite commercial or branded content? 
Films: “Lost in Translation,” “Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” “Hunger”
TV: “Friends,” “True Detective,” “House of Cards”
Commercial: Things that disrupt and reinvent cliches.

9) Tell us about your background (i.e. where did you grow up? Past jobs?)
Grew up in Vancouver, started making films and docs in elementary school. Focused on journalism and art films in university in Montreal. Then worked on many large studio films and TV series in Vancouver and LA while producing independent productions. Then focused back on directing, happily music videos took off,  possibly because I have a long dance and music background. Now, loving the narrative commercial world! Would like to bring the film, TV and commercial experience I have together to make some killer branded content.

Contact

Contact EP Preston Lee at Sanctuary via email