Meet Sam Lembeck | Writer, Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sam Lembeck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sam, why did you pursue a creative career?
I was always striving for attention. My parents were very outgoing people, which made me pretty outgoing. Then when they divorced I think that locked it in for me. But I didn’t become an actor because I hated auditioning. My mom would drive me all over town and I hated the process. I don’t remember actually auditioning for anything, I just remember the driving.

Custody worked where I was with my mom during the week and my dad on the weekends. They were cool with each other and there was flexibility with schedules but primarily I would go to my dad’s after school on Fridays. And on Friday, ever other week or so, my dad was directing some sitcom and I’d go hang out there. It was just his job. I didn’t really watch sitcoms or anything – I was a cartoon guy, movie guy, video games, etc. I would go and hang out and watch him work. He would tell me why he’d do certain things, but mostly I just ate craft service and hung out, walked around, snooped. He directed a show called “Major Dad” which shot on the Universal lot and on Fridays me and one of the kids that was on the show would waltz into the amusement park area and go on the ET ride a million times. I met a million cool people over the years.

I grew up never really having a specific idea of what I wanted to do in showbusiness and entertainment, I just knew I wanted to be a part of this world- making things, with a group of likeminded people, forever.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am at a point in my life where I am not working my dream job, but I’m working adjacent to it.

I currently produce, shoot and edit (sometimes one, sometimes all) promotional videos, ads, and other random content that brands, induvial, or companies need for their websites, socials, or other presentational needs.

It’s certainly not exotic, but I get to be creative even if it means conducting an interview or filming a beautiful shot of a bottle of foot lotion.

The hardest part to overcome is putting the dream on ice while I make money to support life. It’s expensive to live in LA. Plus I have a family and they area always eating – so you have to make sure that doesn’t stop.

Oh, and I made a sweet short film last year about a young man who tries to grow an oak tree from an acorn and he puts it in soil mixed with the ashes of his father in an attempt to grow a new life, but it doesn’t grow.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a pretty standard tour guide. Out of towners need the basics but not the dumb basics. So we do ‘In n Out’, get close to the Hollywood sign for a picture, the beach – maybe Malibu so it’s a little less crowded. Do Runyon canyon to feel trendy. Then if they want more than that, like Hollywood Boulevard or a Studio Tour – I wish them well and send them on their way, meeting them for dinner afterword.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I guess I’d give my shoutout to my collogue Norman Lavintman. He runs a digital marketing agency and has hired me the past 5 years, keeping me working, and inspired.

Website: https://palmsboulevard.com/productions/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samtakespictures/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samlem/