John Nadalin is an accomplished video producer

As years go by, one can observe how people they knew as teenagers eventually graduate university and accomplish great things.
John Nadalin of Woodstock (I know, he really grew up just outside Sweaburg) is such an example. As John was a hockey goalie, I coached him on travel minor hockey teams in Woodstock. I was, of course, the pylon at practice that bantam hockey players could duck around quite easily in puck-control drills. Nadalin didn't participate in those relays as he was quite a good goalie.
Later, after graduating from College Ave Secondary School, he attended Ryerson. Today, he is likely among the top five in Canada for music video production, and seems to finally be getting the recognition he has earned.
Parents Bill and Marg must be very proud.
Here's a story from the Woodstock Sentinel-Review:

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Woodstock native nominated for MMVA
By Tara Bowie Sentinel-Review
TORONTO – He's gone from working with big names in the music business to running one of the biggest music video production companies in the Greater Toronto Area.
Woodstock native John Nadalin started production house The NE Inc. with his partner RT! in 2003. And in a short eight-year span, the house has reached a level of skill that netted them 17 nominations at this year's MuchMusic Video Awards.
"As far as the MMVAs go, we completely dominate. There's three or four companies in Toronto most relevant in the music video business, and we're one of them," Nadalin said during a telephone interview from his home in Toronto. "I think you never want to assume that you're going to win anything.
"If we were to get one or two of the awards, we'd be happy. We've had a great year and worked with great artists."
This year has been such a great year for the company that, in some categories, it will be competing against itself to earn the MuchMusic Video Award on Sunday, June 19.
Major nominations for The NE Inc. include video of the year, director of the year, pop video of the year and fan favourite video of the year.
The heavy-hitter in all those categories this year is Shawn Desman's video for Electric/Night Like This, which RT! directed and Nadalin produced.
"In my career, I've worked with some pretty big people. This year was more a pop music year with Shawn Desman and Danny Fernandes. I've really run the gamut with different artists over the years – rock stuff, hip hop, pop stuff. It's really what the kids are leaning to that decides it," he said.
During previous years, the 34-year-old has worked with Three Days Grace, Simple Plan, K'naan, Kardinal Offishall and Sarah Harmer, to name a few.
Nadalin, a College Avenue Secondary School grad, explained the company's success is based on teamwork In house, there are six steady directors who work projects, and several freelance directors that use the production studios and resources from time to time. Nadalin's role as executive producer is to make sure everything goes smoothly to ensure the video's success.
"Everything you can think of – or not think of – when you are looking at a music video, we do," Nadalin said.
One of his main responsibilities is to be on top of what's hot in the industry. He's constantly talking to record companies, radio contacts and going to live shows to maintain relationships and build new ones for future projects. He acts as a liaison between the artist and the director to communicate a vision for the video and then he lines up all the details.
"On the production side, you go out and look for locations, hire all crew and the wardrobe department. We do all the logistical elements of bringing the director's creative vision into reality," he said.
Nadalin has built an array of contacts in the music industry, which allows the company to do a fairly high volume of projects. Usually the company is producing at least one project a week, whether it be a music video, short film or a commercial.
"We started in music videos because you flip them over quite quickly. From start to finish, you can see a project done in three to four weeks. In television and film, it could be months or years before you see the fruits of your labour come to fruition," he said.
Although the company's bread and butter is in music videos at the moment, the future plans are to move more into the commercials and future films arena.
"It's (music videos) a medium that let's you play with a lot of cool toys. We're using it to build a reputation and a springboard to launch into film and commercials," he said.
The NE Inc. has produced several commercials over the past few years, including a Waste Reduction Week campaign where Nadalin worked with Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street.
"I don't think a small company like we started could survive in very many countries," he said. "If you're serious about your career as an artist, management company, whatever, you can make a pretty go on it if you're serious and of course have some talent."