Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sam Harding . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sam , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
The biggest risk I ever took was moving straight to LA from my hometown of Kansas City in 2020. In October 2020, to be exact, LA was shut down completely. I just graduated high school online because Covid took away my senior year. I thought to myself, if I don’t go now, when will I go? So, I took a leap of faith. I packed everything into a U-Haul and moved to LA. My acting career and my life have just flourished since moving to LA. I’ve been on TV. I’ve been in multiple features. I’ve worked with huge names just in the three years I’ve been here. Sometimes, what feels scary is the best thing for you, and I found that out by moving across the country. If you’re even thinking about doing it, just do it. You only live once. Live life to the fullest.
Sam , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am an actor based in Los Angeles. I was born in Kansas City, Missouri; I started acting at eight years old after booking my first role in the musical “Annie. I pursued theater for the next few years of my life. During my theater career in Kansas City, I fell in love with film and telling stories. I started shooting short films with my brother at the age of twelve, and we have never stopped collaborating since. I continued to work in Kansas City as an actor, starring in various films, commercials, and some of the biggest theaters in the Midwest. When the time came for me to graduate high school in 2020, my brother and I moved to Los Angeles to pursue our dream of film and television. Since moving to Los Angeles, I have participated in various short films, music videos, features, and TV projects, as well as writing and producing projects for myself and others. Sam just wrapped up playing a leading role in Peter Foldy’s next Lifetime thriller, “DNA Secrets,” and will be starring in the upcoming thriller “ Paralysis,” set to shoot in Missouri in the fall of 2024.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Always be supportive, whether that’s liking a post on Instagram. Texting them about what’s new. Just letting artists feel more seen. Even commenting a freaking fire emoji does wonders. It keeps us going when we feel like no one is receiving or taking our art seriously. It can make us feel even lonelier than we are. At the end of the day, artists are taking the road less traveled, so it’s already very lonely. I think artists should be respected more for taking this risk. A lot of people don’t have the guts to do what we do. Also, remember, if you know someone who’s a musician, actor, or influencer, just because they’re posting themselves happy doesn’t mean they’re actually happy. Always check in on them, no matter what.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
That success isn’t linear in the creative business. That friend who just moved to LA might not get his first booking for five years. But the same chances of him booking something massive in his first month are the same chance.
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