Meet Samantha Baugnon

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Samantha Baugnon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Samantha, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I believe we as humans are always evolving and growing. I have had many “purposes” in my life and I trust that I will have many more. I have been through the gambit of being stuck in my head and asking “What am I here for?”, “What should I be doing with my life?”, “Do I still want what I’ve worked so hard for?”.

Creating meaningful art is my purpose. Now, to be honest that purpose has had many forms over the years and I love how it has evolved. From acting, to producing and now writing. I aim to make stories that I personally want to see on the screen. I am not doing it for the masses, I am doing it for that one person who needs to be shown that they not alone in what they are going through.

When there is a character in a film/show that succinctly encapsulates my journey, I feel so connected that it throws me off balance a little bit. To be seen in such a way is a monumental feeling. All I want is to give those moments to people.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

For the past four years I have been a Creative Executive/Producer at the film production company ‘K Factor Films’. It has been a true pleasure and an amazing learning experience. There is nothing like working with a script from the very beginning stages through production, post and release.

Coming from an acting background I have really thrived moving into the production space. To be the decision maker and finding the best people for every area of the project whether that be crew or cast is a fun dynamic.

Over the past year one of my fellow producers and I ventured into a writing partnership together. Working side by side on productions, we soon learned that we share basically the same brain. Writing with Bekki has been a true dream because we truly come together as one voice, and there is nothing like the creative flow of brand new ideas.

We recently completed our first feature script and are working on a few more projects. We love what we are making and cannot wait to share it with the world!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I learn best when I am thrown into the action. In the beginning of something new that can be a little daunting, but for me, I truly think that is the only way to master a skill. I remember working on my first big production as an associate producer and I truly learned what I needed as the film went along. Some things you just can’t teach online or over a zoom.

When I first moved out to Los Angeles I was a youngster and barely knew what I was doing, it was so helpful to work on any production I could. I did so many background actor jobs that were low paying, crazy weather, insane hours and just exhausting, but it was so worth it. I acquired so much knowledge by proxy and saw some amazing talent at work.

I am always working on patience, gratitude and kindness. They go a long way in such a tough industry.

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

To be honest, I get overwhelmed quite a lot. It’s a very easy trap to fall into. If you go too far down the rabbit hole of “what if” or “how will this problem be solved?”, it can be a scary place. When I start going down an anxious spiral with whatever problem I am facing, I have learned that worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet is doing me no good. I have recently adopted to writing in a gratitude journal every morning and night. That practice has helped me be present in the moment and grateful for what I have been blessed with.

I am also a spiritual person. Whatever you believe in, whether that be God, The Universe, etc. is the key to letting go of those anxious and fearful thoughts. When a spiral starts happening for me, I just remember that God has a plan for me and that he is always weaving the strings of my life together for the better, even if I can’t see the results quite yet.

I call myself a realistic optimist. I acknowledge both positive and negative aspects of people, situations, and circumstances, but I maintain hope and resilience in the face of challenges. It can be hard sometimes, but it is who I am and I would never change that about myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.samanthabaugnon.com/