Meet Natalia Ortonowska | Actor, Photographer, Filmmaker, Creative Director.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalia Ortonowska and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I pursued an artistic career because in my heart, I had to. Since I was a child, I always knew what inspired passion and drive, and the film and fashion industries were it.

I started acting when I was really young. I performed in school plays, danced for many years at a high end dance conservatory in the center of my hometown, where I believe my parents hoped it would instill more discipline in me and give me something to do and get better at – and I did over time (the discipline part, not getting better ha!). I was a mostly shy and introverted child. Though like every teenager, let alone every musical theater brat, I had my moments of obnoxiousness. Because of my shyness, I didn’t always feel confident to pursue the leading roles within school plays, so sticking to musical theater classes alone in high school was enough for me. But deep in my heart I knew I wanted to do more. Movies and fashion grew on me as I slowly developed into a young woman. I not only realized what I truly wanted to accomplish in life, but what it would take to succeed, even in the haram of my imagination.

It wasn’t until I was in college when I decided that I was going to achieve what I wanted for myself no matter what. I attended the University of Rhode Island first before discovering the American University of Rome in Italy. It was the city itself, and my previous trips to Italy before my junior year abroad, where I decided to transfer and study film and digital media full time within the eternal city. There is nothing like finding your place in the world, and living, breathing and growing within that vicinity. It was a difficult, but beautiful time, as I was fortunate to travel the world and begin my freelancing career in photography and videography. It was the beginning chapter of growing pains and self-rediscovery.

When I was a kid, I thought about eventually directing movies, especially music videos. It wasn’t until I was 22/23 years old when I realized this was a venture of the industry where I wanted to prove to myself. Photography was always a big part of me and my family’s lives. Like the movies, it was an art form that allowed us to escape. In fact, there are many members within my family that love capturing moments and whom are wonderful photographers. It wasn’t until I was at university where I realized I was actually good at it and I could pursue it for creative purposes and eventually support myself. Like styling, I relied on capturing moments, portraits, etc., and merging my knowledge and talent of fashion and photography together. I would go to classes, study, create graphic design pieces, grow my knowledge in Adobe platforms, star in friends films and see the world. I loved it.

Upon graduation, I knew what was next for me. Within a year after graduating from the AUR, I worked as a stylist at Madewell, found a receptionist and graphic design job in New York City and enrolled at the William Esper Acting Studio. It was a two year acting program just off of Broadway and 42nd. I felt like I was home.

I graduated from WEAS in 2016. It was a brutal and extremely eye-opening experience to the acting world and to myself. The William Esper Studio mainly focuses on Meisner technique. This technique is taught throughout many different acting workshops, studios and colleges. It was the first stepping stone before moving out west to Hollywood where I pursued acting and film production for over two years. While New York taught me about the passion and talent side of this industry, L.A. taught me all about the business. I moved there prior to the MeToo Movement, so unfortunately I got a taste through coworkers and contacts what was irrationally demanded by women in order to succeed, no matter how talented or well-connected you were. But opportunities leading to doors like Vogue Magazine, Milk Studios and working with acclaimed directors like Bobby Roth were presented and eventually you find your way as you struggle forward.

Recently I’ve been focusing more on directing, photography and writing. I directed and wrote my first short film, Wildfire, since my Capstone Thesis of senior year at AUR. It’s been nominated at both the Paris International Women’s Film Festival and Florida Shorts Awards. I am currently in production for another short film, titled Continuity of the Parks, which I hope to release by 2024.

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My creativity, perseverance, drive and being able to work on different artistic ventures.

I am most proud of my recent accomplishment, Wildfire, my first short film in ten years and have it be recognized by international film festivals. I am also proud of my photography, and know I have solidified myself as a strong storyteller in front of the camera, as well as behind.

Having the opportunity to work with critically acclaimed cinematographers, directors and writers, most of whom are women. I am very excited for my upcoming film, Continuity, and see how audiences will react to it. I am also working on a secret project this summer, which I am very excited to share once released.

My journey may look easy to some, but anyone who knows me knows that my story has been extremely challenging, filled with tribulations and failures. As a first generation Polish American, my strong support system and culture is what helped me fight my depression and overcome those failures. My friends and my faith is what kept me grounded when I needed it most. If anything I would want the world to know this and see how far one can overcome. My story, let alone my career, is not yet finished and I look forward to seeing what’s next in store for me. I only desire to continue creating, sharing stories and be apart of something greater than myself that will last well beyond my life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take that person to Poland. It’s where I feel most at home.

I would show them around Warsaw, the old town, its historic venues and restaurants. During the day I would either take them to the Wilanów Palace, the Royal Castle, art galleries, local shops, or Łazienki Park, which is my favorite place in Warsaw. At night I would definitely want them to experience the night life – there’s no comparison between European clubs vs. American. Music is a big part of our culture and disco, pop and dance music is what makes our dance clubs one of the best in the world. Europeans come from all over even just for weekend events to enjoy themselves and feel the music.

I would also take that person to Radzymin, where my mother’s family still lives. I would also drag them down to Krakow, experience one of the oldest city markets and then to Bielsko Biala, a small city where my father’s family is from. There’s so much to explore everywhere you go, it’s hard to pinpoint just a few exact places because in my mind, there is beauty everywhere in my homeland country.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
To the women in my family, but especially my grandmother and sister.

Website: www.nataliaortonowska.com

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Twitter: @NataliaOrtonowska

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