Nathan Hale Williams is a renaissance man if there ever was one. This brotha is an actor, attorney, television producer, club promoter, blogger, former model and a whole lot more! I've known him since he was a young man in college and he has most certainly made his momma proud.

He recently made his directorial debut with INSIDE: Black Culture, a documentary series. I recently had a chance to catch up with Nathan and chat about his accomplishments and what he has planned for the future.

Ricky Day: How are you?
Nathan Williams: I'm doing well. Rejuvenated after a much needed vacation. So far, 2009 has been a year full of progress and change. And, as you know, progress and change can wear you out a bit. I'm grateful that I was able to take some time to reflect and recharge.

RD: What have you been up to lately?
NW: I've been working my toosh off continuing to build my company, iN-Hale Entertainment. It's a multi-platform entertainment company that does everything from TV/Film production to event production. It's my focus and consumes most of my time. Well, that and Facebook (I admit my addiction).

RD: What is your most recent project?
NW: I just finished a documentary series, INSIDE: Black Culture. The series was a three-hour documentary on three prominent African-American institutions: The Studio Museum in Harlem; Evidence, A Dance Company; and, the Abyssinian Baptist Church. INSIDE marked my directorial debut so it was especially exciting for me. Naturally, I executive produced the series with my fabulous producing partner, Crystal McCrary Anthony, who created the series.

RD: You do so many things, what do you consider your core businesses?
NW: My core business is TV/Film Production. We have two returning shows that we're in production for right now. We're shooting the fifth season of our show, Real Life Divas and the second season of our show, Leading Men. I haven't done a film since 2007 ("Dirty Laundry"), but I still consider it a core part of my business. The nature of the film business is that it takes an extraordinary amount of time to get one film done. So, although I work on our next film project ("Homecourt Advantage") on a daily basis it takes a while to bring it to market.

RD: What does your business card say?
NW: Nathan Hale Williams, Esq.
Founder & President
iN-Hale Entertainment (Arts, Entertainment & Culture)
And, my contact info.

RD: How important is focusing on one task at a time in your world?
NW: LOL. Not at all. In this business, it's impossible to focus on one thing at a time. It is almost mandatory that you multi-task. You're constantly pitching concepts and projects while developing or producing other ones. It's really the only way you keep the paychecks coming. My only caveat is that if you're writing it's ideal that you are able to focus on your writing. Unfortunately, we haven't been in a position yet where we can go off to France for a month or two and just write. We're working hard to make that happen though. It'll be nice just to write for a change and not write, promote a party, produce two shows, etc. It can be bananas at times.

RD: With all your interests and businesses how do you ever focus on any one thing?
NW: Not really. When I'm with my family and friends, I try to focus on them. Other than that, not professionally. I just can't.

RD: How did you get into producing?
NW: Believe it or not, I went to law school to be a producer. I really enjoyed law school and thrived. However, the practice of law was a different story. Although I was good at it, I didn't enjoy it in the least. I moved to New York to work for a firm and two years into it (after practicing in DC for a year after law school) I started having panic attacks on my way to work. Two days after my 27th birthday, two of the partners of the firm called me in their office and told me that I'd be better suited at a larger firm (I was working at a prestigious boutique firm at the time), which is what they call a gentleman's termination. Well, I started looking for another firm and then realized it was a great opportunity for me to pursue my dreams. So, I didn't go to another firm...I started my own.

One of my clients was an agent and encouraged me to model and act again (my background from my younger days). I started booking work both as an actor and model, which surprised me because I was old considering. I auditioned for this movie, The Ski Trip and was cast as one of the leads, Byron. While in rehearsals, I realized the production team did not have their corporate infrastructure set up and I asked them to make me an Associate Producer and I would set it up for them. Slowly, but surely I took on more responsibility and moved up to be the Producer. From there, I did my first television show, My Model Looks Better Than Your Model, which I also co-created with Sean Johnson. And, as they say, the rest is history.

RD: Were you always driven to be involved in film and television?
NW: I've been in entertainment in some capacity since I was very young. I was a child actor/model until my mother made me stop. She saw the affect not booking gigs was having on my psyche and so she told me that if I wanted to do it when I got older she would support me. My major when I went to college was Biomedical Engineering with an intention of becoming a Neurosurgeon. Needless to say, that didn't last very long and I ended up graduating in Communications with a concentration in theatre performance. Towards the end of college, I intended to be a professional concert and Broadway dancer. Then, I lived in LA for a summer and struggled my butt off and decided that my passion for performance wasn't great enough for me to eat pork and beans for the rest of my life. So, I decided I'd go into the business/production end.

RD: What types of stories do you want to tell?
NW: I want to tell stories that lift people up. We all have insecurities and feelings of inadequacy from time to time. It stems from identity, circumstances, environment, etc. I want to produce projects that remind people that we're all uniquely gifted to contribute to this world and we all have a place, thus great worth. Dirty Laundry did that and The Ski Trip in a way, but those two films will be different from what we produce in the future in that we want to add a dose of fabulosity (thanks Kimora) to all of our projects. I think there is something very interesting about examining people who seemingly have it all to reveal that they share the same goals, insecurities, challenges that we all do. It humanizes them and it builds up people who look up to these people because of their success, wealth, etc. I think our next two film projects accomplish this very well. Homecourt Advantage is based on Crystal's first novel and the screenplay is written by Crystal. Ladies Who Lunch is an original screenplay that I wrote. We also have a television film, Passing that has the same sensibility, but set in 1920s Harlem.

RD: I know you have a long standing relationship with Crystal McCrary-Anthony, how did you meet?
NW: Crystal and I met when I threw a book party for her second novel, Gotham Diaries. I instantly fell in love with her. It's not just that she's drop dead gorgeous. It's not just that she's smart as hell. It's not just that she's funny. It's not just that she's loyal. It's not just that she is down to earth. It's not just any of that...it's ALL of that and then some. She is truly a God send to my life. I love her more than words. The best business partner I could hope for and have ever had.

RD: What does she bring to the table that you lack? What do you bring to the table that she lacks?`
NW: Crystal brings a sensitivity and reserve to our partnership. I've learned a lot more grace and graciousness from her. I've learned how to be more tactful in execution. She is the master brand manager/builder and so she's helped me build and focus my own brand. She is incredibly thoughtful about all that she does. She takes her time to get all of the information/facts so that her decisions are fully informed. She is even tempered in the most harrowing situations. I've maturity tremendously as a result of our partnership.

I think she would say that I've brought an aggressive energy to our projects. I'm extremely driven and focused on the ultimate goal. I've also taught her how to fight a little more. I'm also very direct with what I require and want, especially in business. I also hope she'd say I've brought a great deal of creative energy to our enterprise.

Honestly, we are the dynamic duo. We compliment each other so well. If we're on your team then, you should know it WILL get done. Whatever it is!

RD: How do you two decide what projects to pursue next?
NW: We assess whether it fits in our current goals and whether we think it's a quality project or can become one. We make the decision jointly. If one of us in not feeling it, we don't do it. Thankfully, we agree on project choice most of the time and most of the projects we're doing are CMA/NHW creations.

RD: You recently made your directorial debut, what prompted you to direct?
NW: I never thought about it before the last year or two. I was working on writing a screenplay and Crystal suggested that I direct the movie. Well, we ultimately didn't produce the film, but it put the bug in my ear. I don't want to direct for ego based reasons. But, I do feel that I have specific point of view and vision that I think will be something people will appreciate. It's a part of me that I discovered and now, I'm just nurturing it. I hope to direct a short film later this year.

RD: Do you feel like it was an inevitable transition for you?
Nope. I never really had interest in directing before now.

RD: How has being educated as an attorney affected your entertainment career?
NW: Immensely. First, it's saved us tons of money in legal bills. I tend to handle the straight-forward deals. More importantly, it has given a sense of business and the legality of it that has been beyond helpful. Understanding the business side and how it works is 50% of being a successful producer. You MUST educate yourself in order to succeed. And, everyone doesn't have to go to law school...you can educate through experience, but it is imperative that you educate yourself.

RD: What have you been listening to lately musically?
NW: I start every day with my Gospel playlist (I'm listening to it now). It gets me centered. I'm an old soul. I still listen to Whitney Houston, Anita Baker and Brandy. I'm not up on the newer music except what they play at my parties. Of course, I love me some Beyonce. I also enjoy Ledisi a lot. But, I'm primarily an ole skool type, which scares me that the 90s are considered "ole skool."

RD: When you're not watching your own projects what are some of your favorite tv shows and films?
NW: The Color Purple is the reason I wanted to make movies. My other favorite movies are: The Usual Suspects, Dangerous Liaisons, The Grifters, The First Wives Club and Crash. The Cosby Show is the reason why I wanted to make TV. My other favorite old TV shows are: Sex and The City, Ally McBeal, the Golden Girls, A Different World and Cheers. My current TV shows are: anything with food (Top Chef, Hell's Kitchen), Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters (the best acting on TV...period), Entourage, Real Housewives (all cities), The Bad Girls Club, Project Runway and American Idol. I LOVE TV! LOL

RD: What's next for you?
NW: Keeping it moving! We have several new shows that are close to deals. Hopefully, we'll have a big announcement soon. Homecourt Advantage is the next feature and Passing is our first film project for television. And as I said, we're in production for the new seasons of Real Life Divas and Leading Men. But, that's just details. What's next for me? The sky is the limit...I've been tremendously blessed and I am so grateful for the opportunities that I've had so I just want to keep going on the path I've been on and make great work that touches people's lives.)

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Bio
Founder/President of iN-Hale Entertainment, Nathan Hale Williams is an award-winning film and television producer, entertainment attorney, actor and former model. A commentator on the arts, entertainment and culture, Nathan is the Arts & Entertainment editor of The Daily Voice, Black America’s premier daily online news source. He also writes on his website www.NathanHaleWilliams.com.

Nathan is the executive producer and producer of the film, Dirty Laundry, which was released in theaters nationwide in December 2007. In 2008, Dirty Laundry was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and a GLAAD Award. In 2006, Dirty Laundry took the top two honors, Best Picture and Best Actor (Loretta Devine), at the American Black Film Festival. In 2004, Nathan produced and starred in the award-wining film, The Ski Trip. In 2009, Nathan makes his directorial debut with the three-hour documentary, INSIDE: Black Culture. INSIDE will air in February 2009 and features profiles of The Studio Museum in Harlem, Abyssinian Baptist Church and Evidence, A Dance Company.

For television, Nathan is the creator and executive producer of My Model Looks Better Than Your Model, hosted by America’s Next Top Model winner Eva Marcille Pigford. As well, he is the executive producer of Leading Men and Real Life Divas, which is the only show in history dedicated to profiling prominent African-American women, including Patti Labelle, Mo’Nique, Vivica A. Fox, Chaka Kahn, Veronica Webb and Deborah Martin Chase. Both shows air on BET & BET-J.

Nathan has appeared on Showtime’s American Candidate, The Guiding Light, My Two Cents and The Bev Smith Show. He has been featured in Black Enterprise, Crain’s, Ebony, Jet, the Chicago Tribune, The Advocate, the New York Blade, Clik Magazine, PULSE, Bleu, UneQ, the Chicago Defender and several online publications. In November 2007, Nathan graced the cover of NEXT Magazine, which is the most widely circulated LGBT weekly magazine in the country. In addition, Nathan and his projects have been featured in Variety, the Hollywood Reporter, the New York Times, the LA Times, Essence Magazine, LA Weekly and HX Magazine.

Currently, Nathan and his producing partner, Crystal McCrary Anthony, are working on several projects, including the reality competition show Five, 6, Seven, 8, which was created by Nathan and in development with Ogilvy Entertainment. They are also in pre-production for the film version of McCrary Anthony’s best selling novel, Homecourt Advantage.

Born and raised in Chicago, Nathan began appearing in theatre, commercials and television shows at the age of 8. A classically trained dancer, Nathan continued to perform and study at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After college, he attended the George Washington University Law School where he was the president of the Student Bar Association, a Dean’s Fellow and the recipient of the GW Law Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Scholarship and Leadership. Nathan resides in New York City and is a proud member of the board of directors of Harlem United Community AIDS Center.

www.NathanHaleWilliams.com

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