Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha K. Tan.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Like all film students, I constantly worked on my own projects while I was in college. During my freshman and sophomore year, I tried out every department – from G&E, AC, Sound, PA, etc. By Fall 2018, my friend asked me to AD for his short film, “Turntable.” As we were both still learning the different roles of production, I ended up doing a lot of the producing and was eventually promoted as Producer of the short film. Before “Turntable,” I never saw myself in a leadership role due to my introverted personality. But who would’ve known? I really liked producing.
Within a couple of months, I was asked to produce my first official and largest project yet, a web series called “Ambitious.” “Ambitious” is a dramedy about a Vietnamese-American college dropout who faces her consequences when her selfish actions bite her back. This web series is well known for highlighting people of color, female filmmakers and the LGBTQ community. During production, I found my love and passion for producing POC stories, specifically Asian Americans. “Ambitious” has been featured on B&H Photo Video and is now partnering with a Philly production company to reshoot and distribute the series. Since then, I’ve produced music videos for Fearless Records and howsaboutNOW Records. I’ve also produced two other POC web series and an immigrant rights documentary called “Expanding Sanctuary,” which was featured on 6abc Philadelphia.
In Spring 2020, I decided to spend my last semester studying in Los Angeles. I’ve met a lot of great filmmakers, mentors and had a great internship at Women in Film. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced my college to shut down our LA Study Away program. I had to make the difficult decision to move back home to Pennsylvania. I spent quarantine reflecting, spending time with family and friends, and connecting with filmmakers in Los Angeles. By May 2020, I moved to Los Angeles and within a couple of months, I produced my first project in Los Angeles. I produced a choreographed music video called “Unstable” for an upcoming Argentinian artist named Mimi Rose.
During the pandemic, I also PA’d on music videos, commercials and short films. As production started picking up, I picked up another producing project for a music video and a short film, and I’m currently working as a COVID PA on a feature. I’m also starting the writer’s room for my web series, “Ambitious” in a couple of weeks. I’m incredibly grateful for the many opportunities and cannot wait to see what the future holds for me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. As a recent graduate, I was unsure of moving to a new city alone, especially during a pandemic. I was scared. Many questions ran through my mind…
Would I be able to find a job? Could I even PA? Am I going to get sick? Am I going to get lonely? Can I live on my own without any family members in LA?
My biggest struggle was moving back home to PA when my LA Study Away program shut down. When I was studying in LA, I constantly thought to myself, “I’ve never felt so happy and complete.” I was actively learning and growing. I was excited for my future. My mindset has never been so bright and positive. When I was forced to move back home due to the pandemic, I was devastated. I didn’t know when I could move back to LA. I was also upset that everyone’s, including my friend’s, plans were on pause or ruined because of the pandemic. It was a very uncertain time for everyone.
Eventually, I moved to LA. Things were still uncertain, but the fact that I was able to move back meant a lot to me; it was a great first step into the direction I wanted to go. I didn’t care that I didn’t have a job yet. I just knew it was right that I moved back. I spent a lot of time trying to find my community; it helped me cope during the pandemic. I’ve made amazing friends, and I’m now working on projects with such talented, humble individuals. I think the pandemic reminded me that I needed to take care of myself and my loved ones. I really needed to think about what mattered to me and what type of person I wanted to become.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Representation has improved a lot throughout the years, but I believe there is still room for improvement. Although we are seeing more representation and more emphasis on authenticity on screen, I think it is also important to put these groups of people in roles that do not concentrate on where they have come from or how they look. Anyone can play that role, and it just so happens to be a person of color, a women of color, or whatever that may be. I want to see more of that. I hope that one day, I can give people that opportunity.
As an emerging producer, my goal is to create a positive working environment on and off set where everyone can learn from and teach each other regardless of their backgrounds and capabilities. As an Asian American filmmaker and producer, I would like to see more representation and to create an opportunity for different groups to have a voice in the film industry. I have produced music videos, web series, short films and documentaries. I am interested in TV series production and music videos. I would also like to get more experience in commercial work.
I am proud to say that I actively promote a positive working environment, accountability, communication and most importantly, self-care. I genuinely care about the well-being of the people I work with and make an effort to show that I care. As a society, we’re all pressured or expected to work and work until we burn ourselves out. I personally think we need to draw a line for that and normalize self-care. We’re working long hours together, and there’s no point in doing it if we’re not all in the right headspace or taking care of ourselves. Us being healthy and happy shows in our work.
I am also a brand and lifestyle photographer who practices and emphasizes self-care, self-love and body positivity with my clients.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Sympathy, loyalty and respect. In order to work well and communicate with others, you have to understand each other. In order to work on a long-term (or even short-term) project, we have to have that loyalty and respect to our colleagues. With loyalty and respect, I strongly believe that we, as a team, can accomplish anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: samanthaktan.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/samanthaktan
Image Credit:
BTS Jeep Photo – Jenny Choi, Ambitious Crew Shot – Cindy Pham
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