We had the pleasure of speaking with Nathalie Zagar Abitbol, a rising talent in the world of film whose journey is defined by passion, perseverance, and the power of storytelling. Born in Mexico City to French parents, Nathalie grew up surrounded by diverse cultures and creative pursuits that fueled her curiosity and love for the arts. After earning a degree in Communications and Performing Arts at Universidad Iberoamericana, she moved to the U.S. during the pandemic to pursue film at the New York Film Academy, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. It was there that she discovered her true calling as a producer and script supervisor, honing her craft under the guidance of industry mentors. Since then, Nathalie has contributed to a variety of exciting projects, including the suspenseful short Exsanguination and the feature comedy We Want the Virus, each showcasing her talent for bringing stories to life with precision and creativity. In this interview with About Insider, Nathalie opens up about her journey, the lessons she has learned, and her vision for the future.
HELLO NATHALIE ZAGAR ABITBOL, WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER! TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU GOT INTO FILM.
I was born in Mexico City to French parents and grew up surrounded by multiple cultures and languages. My parents always encouraged me to explore my interests and stay active, from ballet and piano to figure skating and musical theater. That curiosity and determination stayed with me throughout my life. I studied Communications and Performing Arts at Universidad Iberoamericana, and after the pandemic hit, I moved to the U.S. to study at the New York Film Academy, where I graduated Summa Cum Laude. That’s when I discovered my true calling: producing and script supervising. Working closely with mentors like Randi Feldman helped me develop the skills to bring a director’s vision to life while maintaining precision across all aspects of production.
YOU’VE WORKED ON SEVERAL PROJECTS RECENTLY. CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THEM?
I have worked on quite a few productions, but two of the projects I’m most proud of are, Exsanguination and We Want the Virus. For Exsanguination, I served as Associate Producer and Script Supervisor, working in a historic Glendale home filled with quirky taxidermy and hidden gems. I not only chose this project because of the team behind it, but also the story captured me right away. It was a suspenseful, intense story, and the team’s passion made every moment on set inspiring.
We Want the Virus was a completely different experience; it’s a feature film comedy about two lifelong friends and struggling actors who wake up after a night drinking and realize they raised $24,000 falsely claiming they had the Coronavirus. I worked as Co-Producer and Script Supervisor on that set. It was an absolute pleasure to be a part of that team because most of the jokes were improvised, which made shooting incredibly fun. One day, during a hospital scene, the crew could barely hold in our laughter because the actors’ spontaneous jokes were so good.
Filming took place in Encino, Los Angeles, and Burbank, and while the film is still in post-production, I’m excited for audiences to see it once it premieres.
WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE FILM?
The film has officially been picture locked now! We have launched the poster and teaser trailer on social media for people to start seeing what this film is about. I’d like to say that most of the hard work has been completed, but now there’s a few more post-production details to work on, and the next step is to begin distribution!
CONGRATULATIONS! HOW DO YOU HANDLE REJECTION IN THIS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE FIELD?
Rejection is just another path to success. I like the saying: “If your dreams were 100 failures away, how fast would you want to fail?” Every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.
WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR EARLY EXPERIENCES IN ENTERTAINMENT?
Don’t fear failure and always get back up. Constructive criticism is vital, and collaboration is key, helping others ensures that everyone can produce their best work.
ARE THERE PROJECTS OR ROLES YOU DREAM OF TACKLING?
I’d love to work period pieces or musical theater adaptations like Hadestown, and long-running series that allow deep character exploration.
WHICH ACTORS OR DIRECTORS WOULD YOU LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH?
Steven Spielberg and Wes Anderson. Spielberg inspired me as a child, and Anderson’s aesthetic and precision fascinate me.
WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FANS OF YOUR WORK?
Dream big, work hard, and embrace setbacks as opportunities to grow. Life is short, make the most of it and aim higher.
IF YOU WEREN’T IN FILM, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
I’d still be in entertainment. Storytelling and cinema are my passion, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
WHAT WOULD YOUR DREAM PRODUCING JOB BE?
A big-budget feature with a major studio like Universal, Warner, Paramount, or Disney. Being in the room brainstorming with top talent and seeing my name in the credits would be a dream.
