Meet Sam Reetz | Filmmaker | Founder | Performer

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

Hi Sam, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
As a filmmaker, founder, and performer, I’m fascinated by human behavior – our strengths, our limitations, our motivations. In 2016, I read His Holiness the 14th Dalai Llama’s 1989 book, Ethics of the New Millennium, where he shared his perspectives on technological dependency as a disruptive force for future progress. While I agreed that emerging technology influenced human behavior and created a global digital divide between communities with and without access, I also saw it as an educational tool to bring diverse constituencies together, offer pathways to curb misinformation and disinformation, and accelerate policy conversations between generations. Expanding that approach to storytelling afforded everyone an equal opportunity to envision what was, what is, and what could be. I founded Millennial Ethics to explore these intersections of media, technology, society, and culture and create narrative solutions to complex issues for the public good.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My pursuit of an artistic career stems from a long-held commitment to help others, but deciding on filmmaking as the destination took a few detours. For my first two years of college, I was a pre-med, focusing on neuroscience. Nearly every case study I encountered on patient care indicated that various art forms improved recovery time. I wanted to be part of the creative process that helped people heal and, in filmmaking, character became a vehicle for understanding.

My mission: to encourage audiences to change their lens on media, society, and culture – to think beyond the individual, take a closer look at what shapes the system, and motivate and mobilize their circles to do the same. As a filmmaker, my work breaks down systemic issues into educational and entertaining portraits of humanity and has been programmed internationally by independent film festivals. I got my start behind the lens interning for Ramaa Moseley’s The Brass Teapot, Atlantic Pictures, and Roadside Entertainment before taking on freelance roles in production and publicity. As a performer, I began my career in classical ballet and local musical theatre productions and then trained with CAP21, T.Schreiber Studio & Conservatory, Atlantic Acting School, Heidi Marshall Studio, and others, with credits that span Off-Broadway showcases, commercials, independent films, and digital series. I’ve also served on the board of directors of various non-profits.

Millennial Ethics’ story engine drives deeper inquiry about people, policies, and practices to jumpstart conversations that mobilize generations of people to do better. Our projects range from digital series and immersive experiences to independent narrative features and grassroots impact campaigns and have achieved recognition from media and entertainment, government, as well as social innovation affiliates including Caring Across Generations, CoGenerate, New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, New York City Department of Small Business Services, The Global People’s Summit, The Roddenberry Foundation, and The Gotham Film & Media Institute. Our recently launched newsletter, Route 24, merges the lanes of immersive fiction and civic education with stories of people behind the wheel who drive real change forward. With subscriptions that start at $10 per month or $100 per year, Route 24 parks in your inbox three times a week. Join us on the road by subscribing at www.driveroute24.com.

Along the way, I’ve learned this: no matter what seat you’re in, you have the power to steer the culture on a set. Be mindful of that privilege and actively listen to every department to build the best product possible with the available resources. I continue to be inspired by people who chart their own course, who lead us to discover new solutions to society’s most pressing problems, and who infuse ambition with compassion to mobilize collective action.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
L.A. has such vibrant cultures. Every neighborhood has its own story. If a friend had 24 hours to spend here, these would be some of the best stops to make:

Start your day with a hike in Griffith Park. I use the AllTrails app to find the best hiking spots. While you’re there, explore the cosmos at Griffith Observatory’s Samuel Oschin Planetarium. After that, grab brunch at Atwater Village Farmers’ Market. I’m a big fan of the work Food Access LA is doing to support local farmers and help create more equitable food systems. Next, take a dance class at Playground LA. It’s a fun vibe and the instructors are pros. Swing by Lulu Restaurant for dinner. It’s located in a breezy outdoor courtyard inside The Hammer Museum, which is also a good spot to take meetings. After dinner, explore The Hammer’s various gallery collections or catch a film screening, which are both free to the public.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s a good quote by Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Ghandi: “I am a dreamer. I am, indeed, a practical dreamer. My dreams are not airy nothings. I want to convert my dreams into realities as far as possible.” My grandparents were practical dreamers who had a formative impact on me and I often honor their memory in my work. My grandmothers were ahead of their time and fought for the underdog in everyday situations. My grandfathers were veterans and believed in small businesses. Though from different cultures, they each shared a commitment to caring for their communities and encouraged me to stay the course in my artistic adventures and convert them into realities. It‘s a consciousness I hope to inspire in others.

Website: https://www.driveroute24.com

Instagram: @millennialethics; @samreetzcloseup

Facebook: www.facebook.com/millennialethics; www.facebook.com/samreetzcloseup

Other: Substack: @route24

Image Credits
Project Nerd
Joanes Prosper
Jessika Zachary
Light Art Productions
Matt Clements
Jeffrey Mosier Photography