Meet the Finalist: Nate Raven, "My Yours His"
Tell us about yourself, and about My Yours His.
My name is Nate Raven and My Yours His won Best Short Screenplay. I am a writer/actor who lives in both NYC and Atlanta. I love to create my own stories and tell the ones that have never been told in a way that’s never been done before.
My Yours His’ is based on true events from my life. I’ve always wanted to tell this story because of its complexity and insight into first love, the love between a mother and her child, and the relationship between an older and younger man. It needed to feel raw, vulnerable, visceral. It was difficult to write, having lived through it, but at the same time it was cathartic and I was able to look at each relationship objectively. Every one has their own unique story to tell, and I hope that mine inspires someone to share theirs.
Share a memorable moment you experienced working on this project.
Getting recognition and praise from complete strangers for my work.
Name 3 collaborators that you'd take with you to any other project.
My writing partner, Sean Logan; Producer and actor, Jennifer Plotzke; and producer/manager Rick Raven.
3 tips you’d like to share with aspiring artists in your field:
-Write what you know. Don’t be afraid to dig inside yourself and splash your vulnerability on the page.
-As in acting, let the characters speak for themselves. If they want to go somewhere, let them! They become more alive than if you try to force them into an idea that you had for them previously.
-Writer’s block doesn’t exist! If you can’t write it usually means something in your story world is off. Go back and look at it objectively. Ask your characters what they need. Check the structure. In time, it’ll work itself out.
What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next 5 years?
Write and star in my own series. Have a successful feature film. Bring together more LGBTQ artists and tell their stories.
My Yours His is nominated for Best Short Screenplay of the Year at the New York Film Awards.
