Discover the inspiring journey of Nathan, a former Blender artist turned developer, in Blenderheads Ep.9. From his early days on Big Buck Bunny to life inside Blender HQ and a bold move to Japan, this episode captures passion, creativity, and community in action!
Enjoy the ninth episode of Blenderheads, a documentary series spotlighting the people who power the Blender project. In this installment, we meet Nathan, a former Blender artist who transitioned into a developer role and now stands on the verge of a major life change. Directed and edited by filmmaker Maaike Kleverlaan, this episode offers an intimate look at Nathan’s journey, filmed from inside Blender headquarters.
From the Early Days to Big Buck Bunny.
Nathan’s Blender story began in 1998, nearly three decades ago, when the software was still in its infancy. His break came when he applied to work on Big Buck Bunny, Blender’s second open movie project, codenamed “Project Peach.” Initially placed on the waiting list, Nathan was ecstatic when Ton Roosendaal emailed him with the news: a spot had opened up. That moment marked the beginning of his deep involvement with Blender, both as an artist and eventually as a developer.
Life Inside Blender HQ.
The episode captures the vibrant international culture at Blender’s Amsterdam headquarters, where over a dozen native languages are spoken. Nathan’s workday blends coding and collaboration, fixing bugs, creating tools, and participating in animation and rigging module meetings. Having transitioned from artist to developer, he approaches programming with an artist’s mindset, crafting tools that serve creative needs.
Building Friendships and Finding Home.
A recurring theme in the episode is the strong sense of community. Nathan shares an apartment in the so-called “Blender Tower” with fellow developer Sebastian, bonding over anime marathons and problem-solving sessions. The camaraderie within Blender HQ is evident, as is Nathan’s ability to make others feel comfortable, a trait that has helped him adjust to life abroad.
A Heart in Japan.
Despite feeling at home in Amsterdam, Nathan’s heart has long been set on Japan, a country he once lived in while teaching English in a small farming town. His love for Japanese culture and language never faded, and with Blender’s growing adoption in Japanese studios, he envisions strengthening ties between Blender’s global community and its Japanese counterpart. With his visa now approved, Nathan prepares to relocate to a coastal town in Japan, complete with scenic mountains and a traditional-style home.
A Bittersweet Farewell.
As his departure nears, Nathan reflects on the mix of excitement and sadness that comes with any major move. While Amsterdam has been a welcoming and creative home, Japan represents both a return and a new chapter. His story in Blenderheads Ep.9 is a testament to how passion, adaptability, and community can shape a creative career.
Watch the full episode below:
Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that supports the entire 3D pipeline, including modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking, as well as video editing and game creation. Developed by the Blender Foundation, it is supported by a vibrant community of artists, developers, and studios worldwide. Thanks to its powerful features, constant updates, and open development model, Blender has become one of the most versatile and widely adopted tools in the creative industry.
