“I don’t want to just be an actor all my life,” said veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez.

While she has indeed made her mark in several prime projects, Sylvia is now trying her hand at working behind the scenes as a producer.

Her production company, Nathan Studios, was named after the street where her family lives.

“My children suggested it because they said it was in that house where we became so blessed with our respective careers,” shared Sylvia.

Two of her children, Ria Atayde and Arjo Atayde, followed in her footsteps and are also making their own marks in the industry.

“I’ve been in this business long enough to know that there are a lot of great actors out there and we only need to create projects that will enable them to showcase their talents,” reasoned Sylvia. “I want to be able to help bring them out, to make them known to more people.”

“Also, now that we are able to show our content globally, I also hope to show that Pinoys are also as talented as other Asians,” she added.

With this purpose in mind, Sylvia decided to establish Nathan Studios.

“When I was able to save enough, Arjo, Ria, and I decided to put up the company,” she shared.

Nathan Studios co-produced the drama series Misis Piggy, headlined by Sylvia herself. They are also working on a film with Ria, currently entitled X factor, and an action film with Arjo entitled Topakk where he co-stars with Julia Montes. Nathan Studios is now co-producing the psychological thriller series Cattleya Killer, starring Arjo.

READ: Arjo Atayde, overwhelmed to recreate Aga Muhlach’s 1996 movie role in new international series

It was as producer of Cattleya Killer that Sylvia was present in France for the Mipcom Cannes 2022.

READ: Arjo Atayde joined by family in Cannes for premiere of ABS-CBN series ‘Cattleya Killer’

“Cannes is not just about the film fest, it’s also a place where you can sell your film and TV projects, as well as buy foreign-produced ones that you would like to distribute in your country,” explained Sylvia.

Because she’s still learning the ropes, Sylvia observed other producers to see how they did their pitches. She was also able to talk to some distributors and found out what it was that they were looking for.

Sylvia also took note of the support the French have poured into the festival, and hopes for the same support in the Philippines.

“Nainggit ako!,” she admitted. “For sure the Koreans are also doing this for their films, and they have the full support of their government. I wish we can do something like this for the Filipino artists, too.”

One of the important things Sylvia learned as a producer is that she did not know everything, and that was okay.

“Ms. Ginny [Ocampo] said that, as a producer, the key is to admit that you are not knowledgeable enough and that you need the help of experts in specific fields,” Sylvia shared. “ I’m not as adept as I should be, but I’ve learned a lot since I began producing my own content.”

Sylvia said she isn’t really looking for a specific genre to produce.

“If you propose something to me and I find it interesting enough, if I somehow managed to embrace the concept, then I’d do it,” she stated.