We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ayman Samman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ayman below.
Ayman, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
Growing up in Cairo, Egypt, my childhood dream was to become a soccer superstar, just like many kids my age. However, my creative streak was undeniable. I constantly sketched, told jokes to my family, and mimicked cartoon character voices.
In middle school, a national junior writing contest caught my attention, offering both cash prizes and immense prestige. Encouraged by my teacher, I entered with a fantasy short story, despite never having formally written one before. To my surprise, I clinched second place and was invited to a ceremony where the First Lady of Egypt personally awarded me the prize.
That validation became a pivotal moment, propelling me into the world of artistry. Fast forward to today, I’m a full-time artist, making a living through various creative outlets, including writing, acting, filmmaking, and more.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born in Egypt and later moved to the glitzy world of Hollywood, California. It was here that I found my calling in the entertainment industry. As an award-winning actor, filmmaker, and acting coach, I’ve worn many hats and soaked up experiences from the heart of the film capital.
What do I do? Well, I’m all about creating captivating content and helping others discover their acting and filmmaking talents. Last year I was asked to teach an acting course in Arabic for Middle Eastern students based in Saudi Arabia. The experience was very rewarding and inspiring. It also showed me the lack of professional resources available for beginning actors in the Middle East.
So, I was inspired to build a YouTube channel, where I share the nuances of acting and filmmaking in Hollywood, tailored for Arabic speakers. It’s a place where I break down the craft, share tips, and dive into the fascinating world of the silver screen. I plan to launch it this fall.
But that’s not all! I also run a channel called “Araban Dictionary,” where I bridge the gap between Arabic and English speakers by teaching Arabic slang. It’s a fun way to connect cultures and languages, and I absolutely love doing it.
What sets me apart? Well, it’s my unique blend of Hollywood experience, my Egyptian-American background, and my deep passion for education and cultural exchange. I believe in making learning entertaining and relatable, and that’s what I strive for in my content.
I’m most proud of the community I’ve built, the knowledge I’ve shared, and the creative minds I’ve inspired. Whether you’re a budding actor looking for guidance, a film enthusiast, or just someone curious about different cultures, my content has something for you.
So, potential clients, followers, and fans, know this: I’m here to make learning and exploring the worlds of acting, filmmaking, and language fun and accessible. Join me on this exciting journey, and let’s create, learn, and laugh together!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
In 2019, my production partner Abdallah and I embarked on an adventure in the world of animation. We had this brilliant idea for an adult animated series centered around a Middle Eastern immigrant family navigating life in their new homeland. We dubbed it “Momo’s Amerika” and even partnered with a renowned production company. Things were rolling smoothly until 2020 decided to throw its notorious curveball – COVID!
Yep, the pandemic hit, and our production company seemingly vanished into thin air. Talk about a disappearing act! Lockdowns were in full swing, and as award-winning actors and filmmakers, we were feeling creatively caged. But here’s where the beauty of animation shines – it’s a remote-friendly art form.
So, Abdallah and I put our thinking caps on (well, maybe they were more like animation-themed hats) and decided to take matters into our own hands. We shifted gears and started creating short episodes for YouTube. The best part? We collaborated with talented actors from all over the States, virtually bridging the gap.
Guess what? Our hard work paid off big time! We produced a total of five fantastic short episodes and, believe it or not, ended up licensing them to none other than Comedy Central’s ANIMATED channel. Talk about turning lemons into a viral, animated lemonade!
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
So, you’ve got this friend who’s on the creative rollercoaster, and you’re tempted to hit them with some cold, hard logic, maybe a spreadsheet predicting their future earnings. But let’s be real – creativity doesn’t play by those rules. It’s the wild child of the career world, the one that wears mismatched socks and invents new dance moves at the office Christmas party.
Trying to convince a creative to go for a stable career is like trying to teach a goldfish to tap dance. It just doesn’t compute. We’ve already walked the logical path, and it led to a land of cubicles and beige walls. Trust us; we know creativity doesn’t follow the script.
Instead, be the supportive friend who listens, nods empathetically, and maybe even throws in a, “You’ve got this, Picasso!” Encourage their artistic endeavors, because, in the grand scheme of things, Earth needs its variety – it’s what keeps our planet from becoming one big gray blob.
In a world obsessed with logic, remember that creativity is the spice of life, and your creative friends are the master chefs. So, keep that logic locked away, and let their creativity shine. Who knows, you might just witness a masterpiece in the making!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @aymanation
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actor.ayman.samman
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aymansamman/
- Twitter: @aymanation
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArabanDictionary