Nathan Lieberman is not your typical hotel developer. He brings a special eye to the business and specializes in recognizing areas that are up and coming and creating venues for today’s young travelers. Mainly with areas in Miami and California, Lieberman plans on keeping his business in the United States. At the age of 33, he is now taking hold of reality television as an executive producer of the CW’s The Catalina.
Although Lieberman studied film at NYU, his real passion lies within his businesses. He is also the CFO and partner of Beach Pictures, a reality-TV-centric production company. He's used the company to produce live events for the Miami Heat, Budweiser, Bacardi, 944 Magazine and the Miami Dolphins, just to name a few. Lieberman is always increasing revenue for the South Beach Group, which is the leader in hotels in southern Florida too. He uses several websites to advertise his lodgings and offering group rates and tours.
Lieberman is also involved within the community. He's a supporter of the New World Symphony and the Sobe Arts Institute and also serves on the board of the Collins Park Association and of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.
The Catalina is one of the CW’s newest reality shows that Lieberman not only appears in but also executive produces. The show focuses on the young and attractive staff of Lieberman’s Catalina Hotel in South Beach, Miami. Cameras follow the wild group at the Catalina working throughout the day and partying hard at night while they manage their relationships with each other and the guests. Lieberman compares his show to The Office because of its comedic flare and unique characters.
You studied film at NYU. How did you get into the hotel business? Or business in general?
I bought a hotel. Well, it started out as long as a real estate play. And you know it was just the highest and best use of the property.
You are a proud supporter of the Sobe Art Institute. Why is it so important to you to support them?
It's a bunch of kids that would probably be getting into trouble if they didn't have something productive to do.
Do you compare your cast to the series The Office?
Yeah, everything about it kind of feels like The Office. The cast talks to the camera a lot and you know everyone is just running around trying to do their job and the camera gets in the way and it’s funny. It's sort of like The Office: it’s a comedy, so there’s not a lot of reality shows that are comedy. Most of them are dramas, so it's hard to really compare the Catalina to many reality shows out there.
What can audiences expect on the Catalina? What’s the dynamic like with the cast?
It’s just a feel good comedy. You know sometimes it’s a little silly, it’s just fun, its good easy TV. You don’t have to think too much. It’s not that serious. It’s just a day in the life of what we do in South Beach. To some it’s pretty unbelievable but that’s our job; entertaining all these people from out of town that really just want to kick back and have a good time. But that’s what we do.
I know that you convinced the producers of Jersey Shore to come to Miami for their second season. How did you manage to do that?
Well, I actually met with the producers. Not the producers--I actually contacted them to get the cast of Jersey Shore to host my Super Bowl party, when Super Bowl was in Miami a few years ago. They said they had bigger plans and you know they let me know their plans and it sounded great to me.
What’s it like producing your own show?
It’s great. It’s definitely better to be involved than when you have to be on the show because otherwise you would get stuck doing things that you don’t necessarily want to do. Even though it’s a reality show there is still a lot of choreography that goes into producing it.
Who's your favorite staff member or character on the show?
My favorite cast member? I would have to say my favorite cast member--it's tough. It's probably between Morgan and Eyal especially. I mean they are all so sweet. They are all great.
Out of all the hotels and properties that you own, what made you choose the staff at the Catalina?
Well, at the Catalina there’s always something happening. There’s a 24 hour restaurant there and people check in at 1 in the morning. To me it feels like a mini Las Vegas hotel without the gambling and bullshit. There is just so much action. It’s not that easy to make a show and entertain people for an hour so it makes it a lot easier if you have something to work with and at the Catalina there’s always something to work with.
Since the show premiered have you noticed anything difference for the hotel?
It’s a lot of fun watching the show at the hotel with the cast and the staff. And it’s on the location where it was built and the guests love it.
And lastly, what are your three passions?
Family, polo and surfing.
--
Be sure to check out The Catalina Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on the CW!
---
Follow on Ology: Victoria Garcia | CelebsOlogy
Follow on Twitter: @celebsology
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment!