FILM aND
TELEVISION
FILM aND
TELEVISION
FILM aND
TELEVISION
FILM AND
TELEVISION
INTRODUCTION
Nathan is a well-known Australian Deaf actor in the film/TV industry, recognised for his roles in “Neighbours” in 2021, “BONDS” in 2023, and an upcoming deaf film titled “My Melbourne”, funded by Screen Australia which releases in 2024 at Hoyts. Nathan has been fortunate in the screen industry, as he had opportunities to speak or sign on screen, showcasing an authentic portrayal of the diversity within the deaf community and how individuals live and communicate differently.
Nathan is a well-known Australian Deaf actor in the film/TV industry, recognised for his roles in “Neighbours” in 2021, “BONDS” in 2023, and an upcoming deaf film titled “My Melbourne”, funded by Screen Australia which releases in 2024 at Hoyts. Nathan has been fortunate in the screen industry, as he had opportunities to speak or sign on screen, showcasing an authentic portrayal of the diversity within the deaf community and how individuals live and communicate differently.
BEGINNING
When Nathan began his acting career on screen at the age of 19 in 2015, he was determined to break into the industry. He starred in 7 short films as a lead role and worked as an extra on “Molly” for Channel 7 and “Dr. Blake Mysteries” on ABC before he was 21. However, Nathan found the journey quite positive with the student films, especially with the young, upcoming filmmakers who were all accepting of his disability. However, he faced a different story in the real world, even when starting out as an extra.
While working on the set of "Dr. Blake Mysteries", the production team noticed Nathan's cochlear implant and his deafness. They insisted he wear a hat to hide the cochlear implant. This recurring barrier was also present on the set of “Molly”. Determined to overcome these obstacles, Nathan recognised the need for further training and coaching support which he trained at NFTA for 2 years.
When Nathan began his acting career on screen at the age of 19 in 2015, he was determined to break into the industry. He starred in 7 short films as a lead role and worked as an extra on “Molly” for Channel 7 and “Dr. Blake Mysteries” on ABC before he was 21. However, Nathan found the journey quite positive with the student films, especially with the young, upcoming filmmakers who were all accepting of his disability. However, he faced a different story in the real world, even when starting out as an extra.
While working on the set of "Dr. Blake Mysteries", the production team noticed Nathan's cochlear implant and his deafness. They insisted he wear a hat to hide the cochlear implant. This recurring barrier was also present on the set of “Molly”. Determined to overcome these obstacles, Nathan recognised the need for further training and coaching support which he trained at NFTA for 2 years.
facing failure and
embracing more acceptance
At the age of 21, he traveled to Los Angeles in search of greater acceptance but unfortunately faced failures. Returning to Australia, Nathan enrolled in a one-year full-time course at the Film/ TV International Studio, which provided more industry connections. After completing the course, Nathan reached out to Channel 10 and secured a guest role on TV at the age of 24.
Now, at the age of 28 in 2024, Nathan is finding more acceptance in the industry, but he also encounters barriers due to the lack of deaf roles in productions. He has taken it upon himself to advocate for change within the industry, successfully pushing for more inclusive casting and storytelling. Nathan has worked with big productions such as:
At the age of 21, he traveled to Los Angeles in search of greater acceptance but unfortunately faced failures. Returning to Australia, Nathan enrolled in a one-year full-time course at the Film/ TV International Studio, which provided more industry connections. After completing the course, Nathan reached out to Channel 10 and secured a guest role on TV at the age of 24.
Now, at the age of 28 in 2024, Nathan is finding more acceptance in the industry, but he also encounters barriers due to the lack of deaf roles in productions. He has taken it upon himself to advocate for change within the industry, successfully pushing for more inclusive casting and storytelling. Nathan has worked with big productions such as:
Neighbours
In 2022, Neighbours and Specsavers AU/UK worked together on creating a hearing loss storyline which Nathan took lead in with an hard of hearing actor, Francesca Waters. This storyline was about Curtis (Nathan) and his student Aubrey Laing (Etoile Little) transferring to another school, Curtis met Aubrey’s grandmother, Shannon Laing (Francesca) for the support but he discovers that Shannon had hearing loss, becoming hard of hearing which she was ashamed and was denying it. Curtis as a proud deaf person was doing everything he could to support Shannon in her journey.
BONDS
In 2023, The Shift 20 Intiviate collaborated with Revolver, Bus Stops Films, Virgin Australia, Dylan Alcott Foundation to launch a whole range of brands to transform their commercials to increase representation, inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.
One of those brands was BONDS. Nathan Borg was luckily to be the lead of the commercial in sign language, Auslan (Australian Sign language) which created a huge change in the industry. Nathan felt this gig was the first gig to allow be himself in spoken English and Auslan with a support of a Deaf consultant and 3 Auslan interpreters which created a full support of inclusion and accessibility for him.
Nathan’s showcast Profile/Showreel
Neighbours
In 2022, Neighbours and Specsavers AU/UK worked together on creating a hearing loss storyline which Nathan took lead in with an hard of hearing actor, Francesca Waters. This storyline was about Curtis (Nathan) and his student Aubrey Laing (Etoile Little) transferring to another school, Curtis met Aubrey’s grandmother, Shannon Laing (Francesca) for the support but he discovers that Shannon had hearing loss, becoming hard of hearing which she was ashamed and was denying it. Curtis as a proud deaf person was doing everything he could to support Shannon in her journey.
BONDS
In 2023, The Shift 20 Intiviate collaborated with Revolver, Bus Stops Films, Virgin Australia, Dylan Alcott Foundation to launch a whole range of brands to transform their commercials to increase representation, inclusion and accessibility for people with disabilities.
One of those brands was BONDS. Nathan Borg was luckily to be the lead of the commercial in sign language, Auslan (Australian Sign language) which created a huge change in the industry. Nathan felt this gig was the first gig to allow be himself in spoken English and Auslan with a support of a Deaf consultant and 3 Auslan interpreters which created a full support of inclusion and accessibility for him.
My Melbourne
The feature film “My Melbourne” produced by Mind Blowing Films had created a storyline about deaf dancer which was created by a deaf writer, Samira Cox. Samira had written the reality of Nathan into the storyline surrounded around deaf characters who looked at him as a role model. Nathan felt honoured but also odd to step onto a film set as himself, not as a character whilst everyone was. This film is set to release in cinemas in 2024.
My Melbourne
The feature film “My Melbourne” produced by Mind Blowing Films had created a storyline about deaf dancer which was created by a deaf writer, Samira Cox. Samira had written the reality of Nathan into the storyline surrounded around deaf characters who looked at him as a role model. Nathan felt honoured but also odd to step onto a film set as himself, not as a character whilst everyone was. This film is set to release in cinemas in 2024.