As a filmmaker, it makes sense that Nathan Deming has lived in Los Angeles for over a decade. But he takes advantage of every opportunity to work in his native Wisconsin.
The 36-year-old from Tomah is the founder of Eau Claire-based Nobody Pictures. His upcoming independent drama, Winter Hymns, was filmed entirely in Menomonie and follows a palliative care physician and her medical assistant as they meet with families facing end-of-life decisions. It’s told through a series of raw, character-driven conversations. “[The movie’s] about performance – deeply rooted in Wisconsin culture and people,” Deming says.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
His goal is to create films that examine nuanced human experiences and emotions. He’s especially influenced by the empathetic work of British filmmaker Mike Leigh, under whom Deming studied at the London Film School.
Deming’s done more than shoot movies. He’s been a driving force in Action Wisconsin’s initiative to create a film office and tax incentives for filmmakers, testifying before legislative committees and building bipartisan support. It passed, and the film office opened in January.
That might help Deming’s ambitious, ongoing Year Project, a 12-part series of films named for each month of the year (such as 2024’s February) and exploring different perspectives in the same small Wisconsin town. “I want to capture Wisconsin’s places and people over time,” Deming says. “It’s deliberately slow. I’m going to do this every few years.”
Why film in Wisconsin, anyway? It’s an attractive spot, Deming says, due to cheaper production costs, eye-popping scenery, changing seasons and a marketable culture. “I’m really excited about the potential for cinema here.”
