A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Natalie graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Education majoring in Administration and Music.  She furthered her studies at New York City’s Hunter College completing courses toward a Masters in Social Work.

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For over 30 years Natalie has worked passionately offering aid to children and families for communities in Indiana, Ohio, New York City, and now Los Angeles.  Always one to combine her love for social work and the arts, Natalie engaged the youth she worked with by coaching and directing them in choirs, plays, and staged readings.   An avid composer, songwriter and vocalist, she also flexed her own performance muscles touring nationwide in two Broadway musicals and singing in exclusive New York City jazz clubs including Sardi’s, Tavern on the Green, and B Smith’s. 

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Natalie’s first feature screenplay, Truth (co-written with Vernetta Cousins) was submitted into the 2002 Sundance Feature Film Project competition where it reached the final round of competition. Although it did not win, it garnered interest by a production company who optioned Truth in 2003 to produce it into a feature film. 

 

She and her husband, actor Gregor Manns, moved to California in 2004.  Natalie quickly became educated in the art of digital video editing, and found a passion creating actor’s performance reels.  Seeing the need for creative, affordable demo reels, Natalie created Yours By Design, a demo reel editing service for actors.  Through word of mouth and referrals, Natalie has created and edited over 200 demo reels and videos including America’s Next Top Model, Nijah Harris, and the LA County Department of Public Health who published on their website a Community Services reel she helped create. 

 

In 2007 Natalie and her husband created and co-founded MannsMade Productions, an independent film production company focused on fostering creativity and positive expression. Natalie made her film directorial debut in 2007 with MannsMade Production’s first comedic short, "Before and After", which she also wrote and received a “Best Comedy” nomination at the 2008 San Diego Black Film Festival.  They went on to write and produce three additional productions that found successful runs in over 25 festivals.

 

In 2010, MannsMade Productions and co-producer Dotfilmz, won the DV Award for Outstanding Achievement in Digital Video Production for their drama “Somebody’s Gonna Pay”.  MMP's documentary, “The Five Acres’ Digital Storytelling Experience”, a piece written and directed by Natalie about her work with foster children, won Best Documentary Short at the 2014 Los Angeles Cinema Festival Of Hollywood.  In 2014 MannsMade Productions premiered their fourth production - a Television Series pilot called "Destined To Be".  

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Throughout all of her creative endeavors, Natalie enjoys spending her days working a “regular job” providing assistance to families and children.  Currently employed with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Ms. Manns works to reduce individual and community problems through creating and monitoring evidence-based substance use programs designed to promote the health and well being of more than 10 million Los Angeles County residents.