Meet “Sam Vinzon | “

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

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After working for a few years as a Super Suit PA on a handful of projects, I felt I was ready to try something different. My roommates at the time, Gretchen Waller and Carmen Pilarte both were working for Walt Disney Studios. As fate would have it, Carmen, who worked specifically with Talent Recruitment, saw a job opportunity that she thought would be a perfect fit for me — Coordinator for Marvel Studios’ Visual Development team. The Visual Development team is the department of Concept Artists who are responsible for coming up with the look for the superheroes, super villains, and super powers of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Admittedly, when Carmen brought up the job description to me, I didn’t think I was qualified. I had only graduated from college a couple years prior, and while I did have experience in the superhero world, working on MCU films felt like something I simply wasn’t ready for. I joked that it was a job I would go for “when I grew up”. But Carmen, being the ever supportive friend, encouraged me to go for it.

I can not tell you how excited and shocked I was when I got the job, let alone when I learned that I was apparently the “most qualified candidate by far”. I like sharing that part of my story because I feel that so many people struggle with Imposer Syndrome. I didn’t believe that I deserved the job. And for a while everyday I worked there, I kept fearing that someone would pinch me and I’d wake up from a dream. I thank God I have friends like Carmen and Gretchen to remind me of my capabilities, but to this day, I constantly have to remember to be my own cheerleader. My hope is that more young people, especially women, don’t not go for job opportunities because the role may be intimidating.

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 proud LA native! That being said, there are traditionally “tourist” things to do that I still find fun no matter how many times I’ve done them. I think I’ve seen Hamilton at the Pantages 4+ times! I could spend a whole day at the Getty Museum just admiring the weather, the art, and the view; even though I’ve been there multiple times. Some might say it’s unoriginal, but I’d take a visiting friend surfing at Manhattan Beach, we’d go shopping at 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica, and buy cool art in Venice Beach. We’d see an Improv Show in NoHo and go for tidepool hopping in Palos Verdes.

Maybe for some less “touristy” activities… I’d take a visiting friend to Hana Sushi in Little Tokyo, home of arguably the BEST sushi in LA. We’d go flee market shopping at the Rhodium in Redondo Beach. We’d get boba from Latea in Culver City and then hang out on “the steps” as the sun set.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout to Gina DeDomenico. I was studying Costume Design at UCLA and Gina was my Life Drawing teacher. A soon-to-be graduate from the Theater, Film, and television program, I had no idea where to begin looking for a job after graduation. Gina suggested that I attend San Diego Comic Con with her that summer and work as a volunteer. I was, and still am, a proud nerd. So I was more that grateful to work through the weekend if it meant someone in the industry might take note of me. And that’s exactly what happened.

I got my first full time job working under Costume Designer Laura Jean Shannon on ‘The Boys’! Gina was the Costume Illustrator on the team and after SDCC, she vouched for me with her own boss and I got hired on as a PA for the Super Suits design team… never thought that I’d be working with one of my college professors right out the gate, but what an experience it was. Gina continued to push and mentor me, and I owe so much of my achievements in my career to her.

Instagram: @samanthavinzon

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-vinzon-638852b5