“I’d love to start a movement called WHO IS YOUR NEIGHBOR” With Actress and Producer Liz Samuel
I would want people to listen to each other, ask questions, don’t make snap judgments based on what someone looks like or what their name is. I would love to start a movement called WHO IS YOUR NEIGHBOR where everyone would take the time each day to talk to a stranger and find out what they need from them at that moment: A hug, an open ear, a smile, a laugh.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Liz Samuel. Liz Samuel is an actress, producer and writer who is currently shopping her series with the award-winning pilot, MOMTRESS. Liz was a freelance producer for several years for networks such as VH1, MTV, NBC, Bravo, Lifetime and PBS before becoming an actress. You can see her in an upcoming episode of Law and Order SVU and in the recent Adam Sandler Netflix comedy, THE WEEK OF.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I always wanted to be an actress but my parents wanted me to choose a ‘career’ so I studied broadcast journalism, worked in news for a hot minute and then produced entertainment television until I decided I had to make those acting dreams come true. I quit my production job at the time and started auditioning and taking classes.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
Oh my goodness, I don’t know where to begin! I guess it was pretty wild that when I wrote my series, Momtress, I created a character named Libby Sandler, and after we shot it and it had screened at a few festivals, I suddenly had an audition for an Adam Sandler film…and I booked it! Of course, when I was working on set, I couldn’t tell Adam Sandler that my character in my series was the same last name as him, that would just seem stalk-y! But I promise, I didn’t even think about him when I created the character. I just came up with a name that was similar to mine. (Liz Samuel=Libby Sandler) The universe must have heard me because it was a dream to work with Adam Sandler!
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The only thing I can think of right now is that when I was auditioning for a commercial and I was told to wear a bridesmaid type dress. I went in, it went well, I got a callback and then went back in with that same bridesmaid dress but when I got there, no one was dressed like that! I was mortified. It turned out they had changed the spot and wanted me to be in a backyard BBQ touch-football scene! Try catching a football in heels and a dress in front of a room full of ad execs, and a casting director! Lesson learned: bring something to change into just in case! Things get changed so quickly!
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
Well, I’m very excited that I’ll be in an upcoming episode of Law and Order SVU! Now I can say I’m a ‘real New York actor!’ LOL But also, I’m excited to get my series up on a platform soon. We are narrowing it down and getting close so I hope to share MOMTRESS with the world soon!
Who are some of the most interesting people you have interacted with? What was that like? Do you have any stories? I LOVED working with Steve Buscemi in The Week Of! He was sooo incredibly nice and generous and such a team player! When he walked on set he walked up to me, shook my hand and said, “Hi! I’m Steve.” I was like, ‘um, I know!’
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
Only do this if you LOVE IT and can’t imagine yourself doing anything else! If you are passionate about it and you absolutely love it, you will never get tired of it. Even when things aren’t going your way, if you are in class, auditioning, marketing yourself, you will stick with it if you love it. Also, create your own work to fuel your passion. It will keep you focused and keep you from burning out.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would want people to listen to each other, ask questions, don’t make snap judgments based on what someone looks like or what their name is. I would love to start a movement called WHO IS YOUR NEIGHBOR where everyone would take the time each day to talk to a stranger and find out what they need from them at that moment: A hug, an open ear, a smile, a laugh.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
- Be nice to EVERYONE. You never know if that person will be in a position to hire you someday! When I worked in production, I had an assistant who when I was stressed, I feel that I probably ordered around a bit too much. She is now a casting director. Ooops….
- Read every play you can. When I was younger and starting out, I had way more time on my hands (pre-kids!) and I wish I had sat down to read a lot more.
- Don’t worry so much about your looks! You really do glow from the inside out if you are happy with yourself and it doesn’t matter what you look like. If you have the acting chops too, you will get roles and it won’t be just be based on looks.
- Hustle! I might be a bit further along if I didn’t sit around as much when I first started. No one is going to hand things to you. You have to hustle and show you are ready to work!
- Find the actors that you admire, watch everything they are doing. Study them.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Be Yourself. Everyone else is taken. -Oscar Wilde. My mom taught me that. She really beat to her own drum and did her own thing, created her art and didn’t care what people thought of her.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Well, I would say my husband because he has provided a nice lifestyle for our family while allowing me to follow my dreams!
Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this. 🙂
Sarah Jessica Parker. She, like me, is an actress and a producer but also a mom (a momtress!) and also a NY’er. I feel that we’d have so much in common, so much to talk about and so much to laugh about! I actually once shared a hot tub with her on vacation in Turks and Caicos and was too shy to talk to her! I just let her be! Can you believe it! If it were now, I would absolutely tell her about my series and why I think she would enjoy it!
How can our readers follow you on social media?
IG: @lizgsamuel and @momtress_series
Twitter: @lizziegeesam
FB: Liz Samuel