Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Camden.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
We are ND Studio, an entertainment production company with a mission to invest in our local community. We work with artists and creators from all over our metro area. Our founder has over 10 years of industry experience and has performed for over 1 million people. In 2009 our founder, Nathan Camden, was a budding and inspired artist who found no resource or program to gain him access to a network of like-minded creators in his community. Since then, Nathan gained years of professional instruction- working with companies like Warner Brothers and approached by Disney- and began volunteering in the community. He had a dream of a palace for the talented individuals he worked with and a masterclass in having a grand time. Live shows, DJ battles, Movie Nights, and Carnivals. Rooms to practice, studios to record. A central hub for our cities’ local creators. Since then, Nathan has been developing ND Studio as the perfect tool for our artists. No ridiculous agency fees, creative control over artist work, or desire to see profits solely. But to be a resource and development tool for our community of creators.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The entertainment industry has so many barriers to entry. Not only is the market cornered by corporate monopolies, but so many agencies have saturated the market with profit-centered operations. Obtaining all the appropriate equipment requires thousands of dollars, so many artists and creators fear and distrust production agencies. One struggle specific to ND Studio- 2018. Nathan proposed his company to a prominent organization nationwide; only for years would his work be stolen and given to the highest bidder. The sum of 10.6 Billion dollars over 10 years has been siphoned from ND Studio- and by direct consequence St. Louis. It was highly detrimental to our founder’s convictions. It will prove even more challenging for our community as education programs, crisis centers and homeless assistance programs, street cleaning and maintenance funds, and community parks and resources- are now fighting to get their funding back- as ND Studio recovers from its wrongdoing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our founder has over a decade of working in the Entertainment Industry as a professional. He now seeks to bring his experience to all regional artists and creators. Be it polishing a dance routine or building portfolios of rappers. From theater to Drag- if it involves the arts, it involves ND Studio. We have rappers, bluegrass, rock, and EDM; we host performers, editors, cinematographers, and engineers. We are a tool for creators to see their dreams acted upon- without the creator selling their creative freedom. Our biggest focus is creating large events for locals to experience the talent in their backyard, integrating the arts into the community. We turn all our profits into new experiences for our creators by investing in school arts programs, veterans shelters, STD testing and awareness, homeless placement programs, community gardens, library contributions, and so many other aspects of investing in our city. This is how ND is different than its competitors. This is not about market domination but about creators and community.
What were you like growing up?
Nathan was a very eccentric child. As far back as he can remember, he connected with his community through compassion. “I love you; you love me. We’re a happy family..” were words he lived by. Despite this attitude, Nathan faced constant racism and bullying (being mixed race and living in rural areas) and received little support from his family. Despite this adversity, Nathan continued to be passionate about creating and connecting with people. He found roles in his elementary and middle school plays, and by the time he was in high school- Nathan was reaching legendary status in his district. He was enthralled in the arts and found his passion stemmed from film and the stories and emotional ties they create. A fan of history, he was captured with the idea of bringing the past to life in film and created stories that explored the complex human experiences of love and hate. Despite his aptitude, Nathan was in a sea of those with no desire to work to create more. At this time, he first began building ND Studio; so that he, a lowly high schooler, would have access to affordable tools and networks.
Pricing:
- Our Agency service can come FREE of charge and even result in you getting paid just for participating.
- To become one of our Featured Artists- ND Studio only takes a small percentage of any work ND Studio gets you.
- You are not in an exclusive contract with ND. (i.e., there’s only a booking fee)
- Our tickets usually start at $20. However, specials are regular, and promotion codes can save you more.
Contact Info:
- Website: ndstudiostl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ndstudiostl/
- Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/NDstudioSTL
Image Credits
Headshot by Mark Moore at Take Moore Pics
