Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Noel Van Sickle.
Samantha, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Luckily, I always knew I wanted to be in the industry. My ambition towards acting started when I was in preschool, and they were putting on a reenactment of the nativity scene. As they announced the cast, they said, “And for the lead role of Mary… Samantha” I started beaming. And then… they didn’t say my last name. The role went to another Samantha in my class, and I was stuck playing an angel with no lines. Funny enough, that was the catalyst for my desire to act. After that, I was extremely active in my schools’ plays and musical productions.
As far as behind the camera work, my Uncle is a showrunner, so once I realized that writing and producing for television is an obtainable career, it inspired me to pursue the same career path. I would use my parent’s video cameras growing up to make home movies with my friends. We thought we were cinematic geniuses at the time, but looking back, they were nothing to write home about. In 5th grade, the classes took turns running the school news show. That’s when I realized I was destined to work with cameras. Nothing beat that moment when the camera started rolling and the butterflies in my chest started fluttering. In middle school, I worked on our news show, and my 8th-grade year, was one of the head producers.
Then, come high school, I immediately became active in the Broadcast Video Production program. We were lucky because our high school was brand new, so we had a state of the art equipment and got to build the program from its infancy. What I loved most about it was that in addition to our news show, we were able to work on narrative projects as well. That’s when my love for narrative storytelling really blossomed. I won first place for a PSA I produced for the Georgia Road to Safety competition and several other awards in the International Student Media Festival. In my junior year, I was appointed as one of the head producers of our news show, and the following year, our special events producer.
Now I push myself to constantly learn and grow. I obtained my major in Digital Media Production from Florida State University with minors in Business and Psychology. I’m always taking acting classes and pushing myself to develop my craft. I took a class called “Creating the TV Drama Series” at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts this summer, in addition to a UCLA Extension class called “Advanced TV Showrunning”. Both of these have been crucial in my development as an executive, and as a proud Ravenclaw, I intend to always continue expanding my knowledge. Fun fact about me is that my “job that pays the rent” is working as an accounting clerk for TV and film. I worked on Season 3 of Ozark and am currently working on Season 4. I really enjoy my job and love that I get to be a part of big productions one way or another.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been fairly smooth, despite the occasional moments of imposter syndrome and self-doubt. But those moments are fleeting because of my passion for what I do always overcomes it. I find that I push myself so hard that sometimes I need to take a step back and recognize when I need to just chill and process all the information and experiences I’ve obtained. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t moments that were troublesome. I think you really learn who your friends are in this business. You’ve got to learn the hard way that not everyone has your best interest at heart. Trust, but verify. Don’t put up a huge wall in fear that people aren’t who they say they are, but also don’t wear your heart on your sleeve if you don’t have the capacity to do your mental due diligence.
This industry requires you to really know yourself, love yourself, and be confident. If you don’t feel you’re there yet, I’d suggest working on your relationship with yourself before diving into such a relentless career.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I started Starlit Compass Productions when I was in college. It’s my own personal production company that I will probably use as a loan-out in the future as I will work in association with projects I produce. Now, I am the President of Time Fray Productions, which I founded with three colleagues. Our team is awesome, and we’ve already managed to secure investments for our productions. I’m very proud to be a female leader in this industry. I think that’s partly what sets us apart.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I’m so blessed when it comes to supporters of my journey. I could write a list a mile long, so I just want to make it clear that those who I list here are just the icing on the cake. Anyone who has ever played a part in my life by encouraging me or taking a chance on me should know that I am forever grateful.
I’ll start by thanking God for giving me the courage and vision to pursue this dream.
And just to name a few… My mom (self-proclaimed “Drama Mama”) used to paint our sets for our musicals and was always extremely active in every aspect of my creative endeavors and my life. My dad, who always was there for me if I was upset over not getting a role or something deeper, who always managed to make it to every production I was a part of. Joni, for being there for my dad and me throughout a great deal of my life and supporting me. My Uncle and Aunt, for setting a wonderful example of following your dreams and achieving them. My cousins, for just being the best and for always making it clear that if I ever move to LA, I have people who love and care about me there. And all of my other wonderful family members and family friends who are like family to me.
All of my teachers, especially Mr. Chuven, Mrs. Fossum, Ms. Prost, and Mrs. Creamer, for believing in me enough to give me lead roles and producer credits and for offering emotional encouragement in times of doubt. My college professors, especially Dr. Andy Opel, who supervised us on our study abroad trip in London, where I filmed a documentary on Alice in Wonderland, and Robert Levine who hired me to work for the DMP major’s Production Support/Equipment Checkout Center.
My mentors/people I look up to who have taken chances on me – Jesse Malinowski and Candi VandiZandi, Scott Hansen and Desiree Connell, and all of the teachers I’ve worked with at Drama Inc. My employers on all of the amazing shows I’ve gotten to work on, especially my Ozark work family.
My wonderful agents at People Store, for believing in me and working hard to make sure I have as many opportunities as possible in this market.
My Time Fray Productions team and any investors, future or current, who believe in our ideas and passion.
And finally, all of my amazing friends and acquaintances I’ve met along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: samanthavansickle.com
- Email: samantha.n.vansickle@gmail.com
- Instagram: @samvansickle
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samanthavansickleofficial/
- Twitter: @thesamvan
Image Credit:
Dani Aristi
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