Conversations with Nathan Price

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Price.

Hi Nathan, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I used movies as a refuge in my younger years. I began to tell stories to my family and friends, and it became a part of me. Not that I’m a master storyteller, but I enjoy weaving yarns to share with people and entertain them. In high school, a friend of mine brought me into the fledgling video program, and I started to work on video production, which in turn led to film production down the road.

I spent some time in the military, and then I tried my hand at making movies and made a couple, but I found it too stressful. I got married and got into physical therapy for a bit, but eventually, I came back to storytelling. This time, I found something a little different. Making comics.

Our company is Pork Chop Express, which is named after Kirk Russell’s truck in John Carpenter’s movie, “Big Trouble in Little China,” and that kind of matches who we are as a publisher. We finished up a 5 part series named “Night of the Chihuahuas” by author David Quiroz Jr. and are currently in production on two stories.

I wrote one called “Killer Hair,” which is a fantastical story of a woman whose hair comes to life and takes revenge on those who have wronged her. Definitely a horror comedy. The other is “Family Man,” which is a story of a spooky house in the woods and some pesky kids who go to check it out only to find something they didn’t expect!

We plan on slow growth, having fun, and making connections along the way. We have our eyes set on David’s “Night of the Chihuahuas 2 – Chihuahuas from Hell” later this year. Hopefully, we’ll be around for a little while to make stuff that’ll make you smile.

We all face challenges, but would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Totally and completely smooth. Like I’ve been floating.

Except for… I once asked a friend how he was doing, and he replied, “Normal.” I laughed and asked him what that meant. He stated, “Life goes up, down, and all around… and that’s normal.” Some struggles have been dealing with talent, finances, deadlines, and such. I know that’s a common answer, and it’s true.

Managing people is like a magic trick. Getting them to meet deadlines when life is happening is nothing short of a miracle. You want to be fair and “human,” and you also need them to finalize their work because there are strings of events that fall like dominos. If one is off, it messes up the whole sequence.

Starting a business is rough. You’re most likely not going to turn a profit for a few years. We’re. Coming up on 3 years and are now starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thankfully, we have a great team and work well together.

Speaking of working well together, I’m a disabled veteran, and without my team, there would be no Pork Chop Express or comic books. I’m very grateful for them. It’s very challenging being disabled and trying to run a business. A legitimate business.

One more challenge is always learning and growing. I feel that we can say that in a cliche way, AND it’s true. I write AND my writing can always be better, I’m learning about accounting and there’s always need tricks, I’m learning about running panels at cons and organizing events in different states and there’s ALWAYS something I can try and apply better next time.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve done everything from construction to personal trainer, physical therapist assistant to film producer, helicopter mechanic to indie comics publisher.

I believe I am an artist by nature. I’ve done dance, drawn and painted art in various mediums, created music and played instruments, and written poetry, movies, songs, and TV pilots. One of them is the interest of a lit agent in LA. I’m not sure if it’ll go anywhere, but it feels fun to mention.

I’ve been on tour with bands, shot music videos and documentaries, done live broadcasts worldwide, and some other fun stuff like making silly comedy videos with my kids.

I don’t think I’m proud of anything really. My work is like a constant learning and growing experience. I was to find new and fun ways to engage people. I’m not proud of things as much as I enjoy making them.

I specialize in clever things. I want to believe that sets me apart, but ultimately, I don’t know.

Are any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud – Book
On Writing by Stephen King – Book
The E Myth by Michael Gerber – Book
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield – Book
Any video/audio of Rick Rubin speaking
Interviews with Dave Chappelle
Natrl (Graffiti Artist/Mentor)
Tim Hon (Muralist/Mentor)
Kraig Rasmussen (Comic Creator/Educator)
Max Flowers (Comic Creator/Mentor)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.porkchopexp.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nightofthechihuahuas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NightOfTheChihuahuas

Image Credits
Anastasia Stillsmoking
Jawhuahuas
Tim Hon
Albert Morales
Mayra Hernandez
Pork Chop Express Productions