Samuel L. Pierce was recently interviewed by Famo Celebrity Magazine, here is the Q&A session we had with him.
Introduction – Can you tell us a bit about your yourself?
I am Samuel L. Pierce, an American actor, writer, director, and producer. I have always been fascinated with filmmaking, and so during the summer after fourth grade while attending a summer camp hosted by the Middle School Media Instructor, I began making some early reels and working on filming techniques. By 13, I had written several full-length feature film scripts and soon after turned page to screen on my debut sci-fi movie The Future of Us (2021) which I produced through my production company Electric Shock Productions and released on digital platforms in 2022.
Since then, I made the comedy feature The Get Rich Quick Scheme, distributed through Random Media, where I also play the lead protagonist Micky, and the upcoming sport drama film Off the Line playing professional speedskater Mark Stevenson – that film I set to release on May 13.
Personal Background – Can you share a little experience about your upbringing and early life?
I grew up as an only child. Both my parents worked so I went to daycare that taught some basic education before I went to kindergarten. I still have some friends from those early days. Went to Seabury School from K-6th grade where my parents suspected I had dyslexia. When I moved to Public School I officially was diagnosed with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia and finally started getting some tools to make school tolerable. School was always very challenging for me.
My first plane trip was to LA to visit Disneyland and the LA County Fire Museum. We were lucky enough to be able to travel so I was able to visit Amsterdam and Paris, London and tour South Korea with my Tae Kwon Do Instructor where we practiced martial arts at a 700-year-old temple and saw the global headquarters for Tae Kwon Do (I am a 2nd degree black belt). I feel traveling while young influenced how I view the world.
Career and Achievements – What do you consider the highlights of your career so far?
I think the moment of my career I have been most proud of was signing the distribution deal with Random Media for The Get Rich Quick Scheme at 16. This symbolizes my first steps towards being a professional filmmaker.
Challenges and Growth – What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your career, and how did you overcome them?
Actors backing out of a film with short notice, and luckily, we had some new faces to fill in and have had to only reschedule 1 filming day total from all 4 film shoots. Waiting for actors who have been late to set and making long days for crew. We just power through the day and try to make sure the crew gets breaks and profusely apologize. Locations adding unreasonable fees or requirements at the last minute. One occasion we ended up paying the extra fee but removed any promotions of the location and declined to use them for future projects. Two other locations we were able to secure new and better locations or relocate scenes to another already scheduled location.
Passions and Hobbies – What are your Interests and Hobbies outside of your Career?
Tae Kwon Do, I am currently 4 months away from my 3rd degree black belt and am planning on resuming classes to earn that. I also am continuing to inline speed skate with my Team Xtreme, although I am competing in fewer races now, I still practice 2-3 days a week. Part of skating training is biking and lifting weights.
Milestones and Future Goals – What are some of the Milestones you hope to Achieve in the coming years?
I hope to establish an acting career while I continue to tell my stories and promote and make my own films. Of course, it would be an honor to enter a top-tier film festival and place, and to be nominated or win a national award would be amazing.
Life Lessons – What is the most Valuable Lesson you’ve learned in your Life or Career?
Keep pushing through adversity. Every film has had its challenges, and trust me I have learned from them all, but they have each been very different and required new solutions. I had to learn to let go when a location fell through due to astronomical requirements from a location, and I ended up finding a better place that was a public park we could film in for no cost.
Rapid-Fire Round:
Favorite book or movie name?
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
One word to describe yourself?
Tenacious
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be?
Plato
Favorite travel destination?
Northern France
