We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sam Jordan Dudeck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sam Jordan below.

Sam Jordan, appreciate you joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Well, I’ll answer that backwards – because I do have a “regular” job. I began my career as a creative while waiting tables and bartending part time to pay the bills. Back then, I was new to LA, I had plenty of time, and the creative world was my oyster. Fast forward 5 years later – I had made 2 feature films, a handful of pilots and shorts, and had plenty of projects in development; but I wasn’t seeing the financial dividends. I was 27 years old, and in a serious relationship – I felt the pressure to get a “grown up” job, and man; was I scared that would mean the end of my career as a creative…

And while sure, working a 9 to 5 to support myself and my Partner has definitely taken time and energy away from my screenplays, production work, etc – it has confirmed that I have never been happier as a creative. You see, there were plenty of days where I’d work my 9 to 5 PLUS OVERTIME (I’m talking 12-14 hour days!) and yet, still, I’d find myself itching to write at the end of the day (or night). Working a “regular” job and still creating has shown me my true love for artistry – that it’s not all about financial gains or being rich and famous – it’s about making art. Does that make me happy? Yes, absolutely.

Sam Jordan, 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 got into the film industry when my college friends and I were hungover after a routinely wild, chaotic night out – when one of my friends suggested someone write a show about our crazy lives. I took it upon myself, and the rest was history.. I sent that show out, landed a Producer, landed a Manager, moved out to LA – and since then have made 2 feature films, Directed another 3 feature films, and am currently launching my own TV show and brand.

Our TV show won’t be your run of the mil sitcom or 60 minute drama; we’re doing something different, it’s going to include sketch comedy, musical performances, interviews, stand up comedy, animated shorts, and talk sessions. What I’m going for with this, is an ode to nostalgia – the good old days of “blocks” of TV, like waking up on Saturday morning and watching hours of cartoons – only, we’ll be doing this on a smaller scale and distributing it digitally (which means it’ll be free!). We’re currently in pre-production, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.

Additionally, what will go hand in hand with the TV show is a branded website which will include articles, videos, and think pieces on sports, music, film, pop culture philosophy, and sociology – in other words – what I like to call HUMAN CULTURE! This is truly a passion project of mine, since all of those subjects are passions of mine – and yet, I know I’m not the only one – so I do look forward to bringing on other writers for articles, guests for videos, etc. I’m hoping to create a hub for young adults to serve as a one stop shop to read up on all of your interests; maybe you’ll laugh, maybe you’ll learn something, maybe you’ll just be entertained – who knows! I’m currently building the site and curating content, and can confidently say this is one of the coolest projects I’ve ever made.

If you’d like to be involved in either of those – shoot me an email and let’s collaborate!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

It’s funny, because that’s been the origin story of the TV show and branded website – because I came out to LA to be a screenwriter; only to find myself a year later also acting. Then another year later, I was producing. A little later, I was directing. Why? Well, originally, they were all out of necessity, or just for the artistic thrill that comes with a new medium. All of those experiences made me open up to the possibility that maybe I won’t “make it” as a screenwriter, maybe I’ll find success as an actor. Maybe this, maybe that – the point is, you never know! All that matters is that you’re creating – that’s what I learned.

And so, that’s sort of what happened to lead me up to these new projects. The WGA strike hit. Well, there goes selling/producing my feature film scripts or acting for a while. So I thought to myself, what can I do to keep creating? BAM, the idea came – how about I do something purely out of passion to keep myself and other artists creating, while also putting out some awesome content amidst all of this madness in the industry. Sure, let’s try it!

The latest and most drastic pivot has been with the branded website. Because, while it will go hand in hand with the TV show, it’s also the furthest away from my original goal of being a screenwriter of feature films. And yet, at the same time, it’s also the closest – because at the end of the day, I get to write; write about things I love, at that. So while it seems like a major pivot – it’s really just bringing me closer and closer to my artistic passions in ways that are feasible in 2023.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I’d say that this moment right here shows my resilience, to be honest. I mean, every screenwriter knows how many rejections, how many “no’s” and how many times we’re ghosted. But here I am. Shoot, even after all of these rejections, all of life’s circumstances getting in the way, and quite honestly – all of these years not panning out the way I would’ve hoped; again, I’m still here, and as devoted as ever to my artistry. I could’ve easily said, “you know what, it’s been 5 years”, take the 9 to 5 job, and call it quits. But no, I saw it as another opportunity – okay, what DO I have the means to do? What else can I try to create that can fulfill me artistically while paving a different lane to my goals.

Because at the end of the day, I found that this change of perception made me realize my true goal; and it’s the same as every other artist… I just want to create.

I know that although I may not be focusing on feature film as much as I used to with these new ventures of a TV show and a branded website; that doesn’t mean I’m no longer a feature film writer. It’s not like the screenplays vanished from my hard drive, you know? I’ll try something else out, and if that doesn’t work – I’ll try something else out!

It’s not giving up on my dream, as much as it’s trying that much harder – in my opinion, at least. There’s strength in adaptivity, and resilience in doing whatever you can to find your way in this crazy life path of being an artist.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiimsam/

Image Credits
Sam Jordan Dudeck