We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Samantha Heim. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Samantha below.
Samantha, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Creativity is a fickle thing. It arouses you in the middle of the night and it stops you in your tracks on your way home. It can’t be summoned with force; rather it requires patience and discipline. In order to access my creativity, I’ve found that I need to spend more time with this side of myself. Building the trust within me to believe in and listen to my own creative decisions. Reading memoirs and fiction to bend my perception and question what I think. And, exploring all the different mediums of art keeps me inspired and excited.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a burgeoning producer based out of Salt Lake City. I say burgeoning because this is a career where I’m always learning, growing and stretching. This is also what makes this career path exciting and enticing. I never know where the road will take me; this inconsistency is something I’ve adapted to, and learned to ride.
I enjoy working with smaller teams on more passion focused projects. Since I’ve worked alone so much of my career, and being an outgoing introvert, I prefer the intimacy of a smaller team. However, this isn’t always realistic. In a perfect world I work a few commercial gigs and on the side work on something that fills my soul, whether that’s a dance film or a short doc.
My first dance film was accepted into the CASCADIA Dance & Film Festival this summer, which is very exciting!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Top three skills I’ve found the most impactful on this career journey so far is being exceptionally personable. As a producer, or working in the film industry, you get jobs through networking. If you are likable, you will get hire. It’s often that simple.
Also, patience and flexibility are important qualities to have as a producer. 85% of the time, things will not go as planned, but you can always be prepared, breathe and resume.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I think it’s important to focus on and grow your strengths versus putting in more effort by improving weaknesses. The reason I say this is because you have strengths for a reason, and no one will ever be you or offer what you offer. It’s good to know where you’re lacking or struggling, because then we team up with folks who fill in those gaps we’re missing. If we all tried to work on our weaknesses then we would have a harder time seeing where we shine. Think of a gold mining pan; once we sift out everything else we’re left with the true prize.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kamekoproductions.com
- Instagram: samheim
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaheim/
Image Credits
Bold Journey portrait: Liam Kaiser
TFFF Shoot: Max Barnewitz
Winding Path: Self
Brad Overton: Joe Savage
Bernie: Self
September: Self
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
