PRIDE 2020 INTERVIEW: Sam Lant

This year’s final official Pride Month (EXTRA!) interview is with actor/writer/director (and my nephew) Sam Lant:

Hi, Sam! I hope you’re staying safe and healthy during current events. What are you doing to stay creatively motivated in these unusual times?

Mostly I’ve taken things slow and allowed myself to use the time as a break. When the pandemic started, I saw a post that said something along the lines of don’t pressure yourself to make the next great work of art during the lock downs and honestly that was really freeing. Taking the time to just take care of my plants, hang out with my dog, and watch some movies has renewed my creative motivation and changed my perspective of what impact I want to have on the world.

You now identify as non-binary, but you’ve had quite a journey from confused kid to accepting who you are. Instead of a specific question, I’m going to just ask you to talk about that journey a bit.

I grew up very self-conscious about my body and my sexuality. Coming from a small town I didn’t get the exposure to the amazing LGBTQ+ community in Los Angeles my late teen years.  I had no clue that there was more to sexuality and gender than Lesbian, Gay or Straight. As I grew up, and I expressed more interest in things that fell out of the stereotypical norm for straight boys, I started realizing that I wasn’t a straight male. Without understanding gender and having a very limited knowledge on sexuality I just assumed well I must be gay. The older I got though the more I realized that that assumption I made was ridiculous because I never once had been romantically attracted to a guy. At that point, I thought I was broken. I wasn’t gay, but I didn’t feel like I was a straight male either. For a long time I was constantly at battle with myself hating my body, hating myself for wanting to wear make-up like my female friends, and feeling like I had to hide from the world. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I was exposed a more well-rounded LGBTQ+ community and I realized that all the self-conscious feelings about my body and discomfort around it was due to gender and what I was experiencing was dysphoria. I learned about the transgender community, read about trans people’s experiences, and realized so much of my life made sense. I felt like I had figured out what had been haunting me my whole life; but was still terrified about the idea of telling friends or family. So, I still hid from the world. I did my make-up in secret and snuck my female identity into small accessories like rocking hot pink sunglasses. Eventually I got more confident and I came out to a few people but always would immediately go back into hiding myself again. It wasn’t until I was 18 or 19 that I found a great group of friends that were confident in their sexualities and genders which gave me the confidence to start wearing makeup and feminine clothing around them. The uncomfortable feelings I felt whenever I looked in the mirror started to fade away, the more confident I got the more traditionally female clothing and makeup I wore. After a while though, again, I started to feel discomfort and like I was still missing a big part of myself.  I couldn’t understand it and I felt awful. It was like a was a kid again just lost and confused about who I was. I fell back into depression and self-hate. I thought I was a fraud for a while.  Eventually I just had to say “fuck it.” I’m myself, I’m who I want to be. I don’t fall into any category perfectly, I don’t perfectly fit the ideal male image and I don’t perfectly fit the ideal female image, but that’s perfectly okay. For the longest time I was basing myself on what society deemed to be masculine and feminine and letting my personal identity be determined by how I dressed. For the first time I felt completely free of dysphoria and any self-hate. Instead of dressing a certain way because society deemed those clothes more female or male, I started dressing in clothes that I deemed an expression of who I am. For some people gender and sexuality fall into categories perfectly, but for me sexuality and gender are nonbinary. I fall into multiple categories and am full of wonderful contradictions that make me uniquely myself.

Of course, since June is Pride Month, I have to ask: how has being non-binary influenced or informed your acting and your interest in writing/directing? And is it at all different from when you started acting?

When I was younger, I was scared that if I let people know I was LGBTQ+ that I would limit myself to the roles I could play. I didn’t want people to see me and think he can only play the nonbinary characters or the trans characters. Now I realize that I don’t want to work with people who are going to cast me based on gender, so I’m much more open about who I am. I’ve also realized that I’m very critical of myself and would love to start letting myself be uninhibited by my criticisms when acting much like I had to stop over criticizing my identity.  With directing, writing and acting I’d like to start making films that have characters as unique and wonderful as my friends I’ve made. My friends all have wonderful identities that showcase the beauty of gender and sexuality that if I could make characters even half as well rounded and amazing as them, I’d be happy.

What inspires you?

My mom’s work ethic, she works so hard despite having so much struggle in her life. My friends confidence and attitude toward life even when things got tough during the pandemic. My dog’s ability to be happy and wag her tail over the smallest things in life. Film wise I’m a huge fan of Kevin Smith, I think Chasing Amy is an amazing film. I also love Tarantino. For TV/Film... I’m a huge fan of Stranger Things, Scream, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and The Graduate.

What does your creative process look like?

 Oh gosh, controlled chaos? I don’t necessarily have a set process, I have a lot of tools for acting, writing, and directing but not every project calls for every tool so there isn’t really a set in stone way I do things. Its more about letting things come naturally to what make sense within a scene.

What are you working on now? Do you have anything coming out that you’re allowed to announce yet?

Right now, I’m mostly working on not catching covid-19, I have asthma and my lungs are just trash so staying home and staying healthy is my main focus. I have a few projects filmed before lockdown that I can’t announce yet, but as soon as they get finished and I get the okay to talk about them I’ll let you know.

And finally, where can people find you and your work online?

I am currently not really using social media. I don’t feel it is being used for the greater good. I don’t believe it is being used as intended and it is having negative impacts on our lives.  So, I guess you can check out to my IMDB ... all the projects are updated as I am able to announce them.  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3137618/ 

Sam Lant is actor/screenwriter/director living in Burbank, CA.   Most known for his role of Dave the teenage party crasher in the cult classic Project X, he can also be seen in various independent films and on Fox’s Last Man Standing.  He is currently attending college to earn a degree in directing with hopes to make thought provoking artistic films.  He loves food, flying squirrel onesies, unplanned adventures, playing video games, and his dog Harmony. 

THE SHOE CREW 2012 - Fundraisers

Over the summer months I’ll be welcoming the teenagers involved in The Shoe Crew to guest-blog about what they’re doing to benefit a very special pair of charities, SHOES THAT FIT and A PLACE CALLED HOME.” The Crew is a group of really great kids including Justin and Kayla Tinucci, Taylor Hay and about 10 other kids. Some of them I’ve interviewed before, including today’s guest Sam Lant. The guest blogs will be sprinkled throughout the coming months, as The Shoe Crew efforts build towards the end of the summer.

 Instead of an interview, I asked my young friend Sam Lant to write a guest post about his involvement in the charity project: Shoes That Fit.  So I’ll shut up now and let Sam tell you all about it. Take it away, Sam!

Sam Lant

Hey Anthony:

Thanks for letting me share the limelight with you for just a few moments – what an honor to be asked to guest post on your site to share about our BIG SUMMER CHARITY PROJECT.  As you know, we are fresh off the Ronald McDonald House Walk For Kids in which our team “THOSE CRAZY KIDS NEXT DOOR” raise $8,369 for Pasadena Ronald McDonald House.  Since the walk for kids doesn’t come around again until next April, we are looking for something to keep us busy through the summer.

So, here is the deal.  A bunch of us kids, with help from our parents, are doing a huge charity project for Shoes That Fit.  This organization receives no government funding and relies entirely upon private donations from individuals, businesses and foundations.  Their mission is to provide brand new athletic shoes to children in need so that they can go to school in comfort and with dignity, better prepared to learn and play.  They have shown that giving kids a new pair of shoes helps raise self esteem which in turn boosts grade scores.  It is amazing what a new pair of shoes can do.

I learned about the organization SHOES THAT FIT when I attended their SNEAKER BALL last month as a celebrity guest.  My mom always has me research the events I attend so that I know why I am going and who it helps.  My 16th birthday was coming up and I had been looking for a charity that could benefit from the gifts I was about to receive, while I don’t have much – there are people out there in this world who have much less.  I have the important things in life… a roof over my head, food in my belly, a warm place to sleep and my X-Box.      I immediately knew that this was the charity I wanted to help.  My mom contacted the head of the organization and asked what we would need to do to set up an event to benefit their charity.  From there the ball just got rolling.  I thought it would be cool to have everyone bring a new pair of Athletic shoes in lieu of gifts for myself.  Since I am inviting 200 teen actors, musicains and athletes to my birthday, I knew we could really go a long way toward filling up the warehouse in time for back to school in August.

My mom has been working hard gathering donations and sponsors.  We are holding my birthday in a 3000 sq foot warehouse partially donated by E World Media, DJ Young Slade (son of Lil Jon) will be entertaining the guests with some of the hottest dance music, and Chick-Fil-A has kindly donated the food.  We also have donations coming in for SWAG BAGS which we will give every guest who donates a pair of shoes for the chairty.  But, I have bigger plans.  I started a campaign on Indiegogo to help raise money so that I can purchase even more shoes to donate.  You can check it out here….www.indiegogo.com/shoesthatfit  I want to raise $5000 which I will then use to purchase shoes in the sizes most needed by the organization – you know those size 13 basketball shoes and the sizes that go the quickest because they are in high demand.

Enter the SHOE CREW –

The Shoe Crew

The Shoe Crew, 2012

It seems about the same time that my mom and I were working out the details for my birthday, Justin and Kayla Tinucci, along with their mom, had an idea of their own.  Something bigger than what I had in mind.  A summer project involving many teen and child actors (and parents) who were also looking for a way to give back to their community.  Thus started “THE SHOE CREW.”  We will be making a difference STEP BY STEP through the summer – not by throwing one big bash but by having each family host a smaller event which will lead up to THE SNEAKER BALL GRAND CELEBRATION August 18th.

So, WHO IS THE SHOE CREW????  Well, of course, Justin and Kayla Tinucci, myself (Sam Lant), as well as Saige Ryan Campbell, Dustynn and Ethynn Cerney, Sean Ryan Fox and his sister Camryn Molnar, Taylor Hay, Bryce Hitchcock, Abi Ann Hoffman, Merrit Leighton and her sister Marlowe Peyton, Malyssa Martinez, Garrett Palmer, Jason and Mark Rinkel, and rounding it out – Gabriel and Hannah Welch.  We also have Dylan Riley Snyder from Disney Channel’s “Kickin-it” helping on our celebrity crew team.  There are other teens/kids that will be joining in a long the way but these are the key SHOE CREW team members.  Each family is in charge of hosting a different event where the entry to get in will be a new pair of athletic shoes or a monetary donation that we can use to buy the most needed sizes.  Along with helping their parents plan their individual events the kids also have a bigger long term job which they will be in charge of all summer.  Jobs such as: set-up team, t-shirt sales, social media outreach, inventory, web design, video team, team communications and red carpet stylist.

What events do we have in store?  My SEXY 16th Birthday is going to be a private event but the rest of the events anyone can come out to participate.  Now, this list is just a rough draft.  Things might change as we go along.  We are in the process of contacting venues and locking down locations.  You can always follow along at our web site set up specifically for the SHOE CREW – http://theshoecrew-org.webs.com/ to see what event is taking place while you are in town.    Here is a list of what it looks like so far:

June 9th – Sam Lant’s Sexy 16th Birthday

• June 15th – launch of official Shoe Crew Campaign at I-Fly
• June 16th – Summer concert
• June 24th – Celebrity Dodge Ball
• June 29th – Build a Mouse
• July 14th – Drive in Movie
• July 21st – Geocaching Event – High Tech Hide and Seek
• July 23rd – Celebrity event with All-Star Wrestling Team
• July 28th – Pink Event and music concert hosted by band Pink-E Swear
• August 4th – Kart Racing
• August 11th – Walk-A-Thon
• August 18th – Sneaker Ball Closing Ceremony

HOW CAN YOU HELP???

If you live locally, attend the events.  They are going to be a lot of fun and there is something for everyone.  Our goal is to get the entire Los Angeles Area community involved in donating shoes.  But, it goes beyond that.  Are you a individual, business or foundation looking for a great place to spend your tax deductible dollars?  Do you have a product that you want to get into the hands of teen actors, musicians and athletes?  Are you an athlete, actor or musician who is sponsored (or receives gifts) and has a closet full of shoes you haven’t been able to wear and are looking for the perfect place to donate?  Or….do you have the time to help tweet, share on facebook and email your friends to tell them about this exciting event????  We aren’t picky…help in any small or big way you can.  If you have any questions you can always hit me up on twitter or facebook or email Jennifer Tinucci –jennifer@five-starpr.com

Sam Lant

Thanks for letting me come hang with you for the day.  This was fun.  We will end this in your usual fashion…. so Mr. Cardno – What is your favorite Book?

See ya in the movies. 

SAM LANT - Actor Interview

Today I welcome young actor and fundraiser Sam Lant.

Sam Lant

Sam was born in Truckee, California. He spent his primary years growing up on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe, learning to ski and wake-board depending on the season. Sam’s break through in acting came at IMTA New York in 2006. Realizing acting was Sam’s big dream, his family made the move to Los Angeles, along with his dog, Capone, and a fighting fish named Sapporo. In his free time Sam enjoys riding his mountain bike, taking Tae Kwon Do and spending time camping with his Boy Scout Troop.

ANTHONY:  Hi, Sam. Thanks for taking the time to chat.

SAM:  Thank you for having me.  I am excited to chat with you and get the word out about my upcoming projects as well as the Ronald McDonald Walk for Kids.

ANTHONY:  How long have you been acting, and what was your first professional credit?

SAM:  I have been acting professionally in Los Angeles for 5 years.  I started out taking classes in Reno, NV and was approached about competing at IMTA in New York.  I went to New York and won pre-teen actor of the year 2006.  Which brought me to Los Angeles to audition with many agents and managers who were interested in working with me.  I commuted from Tahoe for the first 3 years but then officially moved out here in 2009.  I worked a bunch of student films and did background work when I moved to learn about being in front of a camera.  I would say my first real professional credit was when I worked on the game show Destroy Build Destroy.  It might be a game show, but there was a lot of behind the scene stuff going on to help pump up our energy.  It was a great project to work on even though my brother’s team ended up winning.  My favorite part of the project was when I was howling at the moon for fun and one of the producers saw me, he came running over and said to do it again for the camera.  They ended up using that footage in the commercials promoting my episode “Big Bros vs. Lil Bros”.

ANTHONY:  You’re in the cast of the upcoming PROJECT X. Tell us a little about the movie, and your role.

SAM:  Project X is about 3 high schoolers who throw a party because they think it is their last chance to become cool before they graduate.  Things get way out of hand.  The party gets so big that Jimmy Kimmel reports on it during his opening monologue.  It is pretty funny stuff.  I play Dave.  He is a freshman trying to sneak into the party.  He keeps getting caught and thrown out.  You will have to watch and see if he is eventually successful or not.  

ANTHONY:  The movie looks just a little bit … insane. What was filming like?

SAM:  The movie is more than a bit insane.  HA.  Scott Budnick and Nima Nourizadeh were amazing to work with because they were very encouraging.  In fact, all the crew were awesome.  One of the days we filmed, it was my birthday, and they all wished me a Happy Birthday.    But filming for me wasn’t that bad because I am a minor and they couldn’t film some of the scenes around me.  So, the days I worked were pretty tame.  The final scene was a lot of fun though because I had to dance with this really hot girl.  When I got to set I found out it was going to be Anna Sophia Berglund, who Hugh Hefner’s current girlfriend.  All the guys on set that night were very jealous of me.

ANTHONY:  Your other recent project is “too perfect.” How did you get involved in that project, and where can people see it?

SAM:  I got involved with “too perfect” through LA Casting and over skype.  The director, Julie Rubio, contacted my mom after my mom submitted me for the role on LA Casting.  My mom actually didn’t realize the project was filming in San Francisco when she submitted me.  I then auditioned over Skype and Julie thought I would be perfect as Skylar.  We did several table reads and rehearsals where I was skyped in to follow along since I lived in Los Angeles.  I went to San Francisco to film for 9 days.  It was a lot of fun.

You will be able to find “too perfect” on netflix and blockbuster sometime this year.

ANTHONY:  You also seem to be the only one of the main 5 cast-members whose character is not named after himself. How did you manage that?

SAM:  Originally, the story was written about 5 friends in real life.  Unfortunately, Skylar couldn’t film so Julie put out a notice on LA Casting to see if someone else fit the role.  The other 4 kids who filmed with me are all friends and go to school together.  I met the real “Skylar” the night of the premiere and he congratulated me on doing a great job acting like him.  Now we are all friends on Facebook.

ANTHONY:  You’ve done a few short films. What do you see are the differences between working on a short film and a feature film?

SAM:  I guess the main difference would be how long you are filming for, short films can be shot in a weekend or even a day sometimes where feature films need a lot longer to get all the scenes filmed.  Another difference is the craft services – bigger productions have the budget for more food and bring in catering companies to cook main meals.  My favorite thing about being on set besides acting is the amazing food.  ha ha ha

ANTHONY:  I know the job search for teen actors is just as difficult as it is for adults, possibly moreso because there are fewer “big” venues for kid actors — if you’re not involved in a Nick or Disney series, options for regular tv work are definitely smaller — so how do you get your name and face out there for casting directors to see?

SAM:  My agent and manager are great about pitching me out to casting directors for upcoming projects.  Also a lot of shows have guest starring roles for kids such as Criminal Minds and CSI, so the opportunity is there.  Another way I network is at casting director workshops which allow me to meet casting directors I haven’t before while also learning something new or building on previous knowledge.  And, every year in November there is an event called Actorfest which has casting director meet and greets, and holds training workshops hosted by top professionals in the business.  I try to network at events like these to get my name out there.

ANTHONY:  What kind of prep do you do for auditions? Are you working with an acting coach, taking classes?  Do you ever think “man, there are just SO many of us trying for the same few parts, maybe I should do something else for a living?”

SAM:  I am taking classes with the amazing and talented Amy Lyndon who is teaching me the 15 main guidelines for cold read and booking a role.  When I prep for an audition, I have a work sheet Amy gave me that I use to break down a script.  Then I work on it until I feel I have the character just right.  It is all about a choice.  My choice might not be the same as someone else, so it is up to the casting director to see who made the best choice to bring the writer’s vision to light.  As far as doing something else, I act because I love it not for the money.  I really can’t see myself ever giving up something I love doing.  Although, I am planning to get an aeronautical engineering degree in college because I would also like to be an astronaut.

ANTHONY:  Speaking of classes — how do you balance auditioning/being on-set and school work?

SAM:  I home school, actually go to a year-round charter school, so I only go to class twice a week for an hour to take tests.  Because I do my work at home, I can do my school around my audition schedule.  Sometimes, I do homework in the morning and when I have had a hectic schedule preparing for auditions then I will do it at night.  Since I go to a year-round school I am actually working faster than being in regular school and should graduate a year early.  Being on set is a even easier, because the law requires me to do 3 hours of school each day we are working.

ANTHONY:  Okay, let’s talk about causes. I know you’re doing a Ronald McDonald House fundraiser at the moment. Why this cause, and how did you get involved?  What can my readers do to help you and your Walk For Kids team?

SAM:  I was filming a short film called “Tears Asunder” and the location was about 5 houses down from Ronald McDonald House Pasadena.  We walked past it everyday on our way to set and I asked my mom what it was.  She explained what they did and I thought that was really cool because when I was little I had very bad asthma and often was hospitalized.  We lived in a small town so my mom was able to stay in the room with me but I know that isn’t always possible in larger cities.  I was glad to have my mom close because it was very scary sometimes.  I got involved with Walk For Kids last year when one of my friends invited me to join her team.  I raised $400 last year and want to raise even more this year.  I decided to start my own team this year because I wanted to be more active in helping Ronald McDonald House.

People can help our team by donating any amount, even $1 will help us reach our goal of $10,000.  My favorite thing to say is…can you give up your morning latte today and donate that $5 to our fundraiser.  A lot of people don’t realize if they just cut one specialty item out of their schedule they would have enough to help a child have their mom close by if they get scared.

Here is the link to my donation page —  My goal is $1000 but I would like to raise even more than that if possible.

ANTHONY:  What other causes are important to you, and how involved are you with those?  

SAM:  I am working with several organizations.  Last year I donated my birthday to Project Night Night.  They give security totes to kids whose families have become homeless due to the economy or loss of job.  Each tote has a blanket, teddy bear or stuffed animal, and a bedtime story.  On my 15th birthday, I asked my guests to bring one or more of these things to donate to the tote bags.  We were able to stuff over 75 totes for kids ages 0-12 years old.  I was over whelmed with how generous everyone was to help these kids.  I am doing the same again this year for my 16th birthday.  I don’t have a lot but there are people out there who have a lot less and it feels good to help those people.

Another project I am working on is a Freeline Skate team which will be going around to different charity events to teach kids to Freeline skate who might not have opportunity to learn.  We are going to work with the Boys and Girls Club, Autism Talks, Make a Wish, Starlight Foundation and anyone else who is interested in having a fun time learning to skate.

ANTHONY:  And my usual final question:  What is your favorite book, and what would you say to someone who hasn’t read it to convince them that they should?

SAM:  My favorite book right now is “The Hunger Games”.  Which is really actually a series of books.  I read the first one in a single day because it grabbed my attention and I didn’t want to put it.  The plot had a really great twist at the end which surprised me.  I think a lot of kids would really enjoy reading these books.  I am excited for the movie to come out and plan on seeing it the very first day it comes out.  

ANTHONY: Thanks again, Sam!

SAM:  Thanks for the interview.  These were some fun questions and I enjoyed answering things I hadn’t been asked before.  OH…and thanks for your donation to Walk For Kids.  YOU ROCK!!!!

ANTHONY: As I said on Twitter: “Curse you, Sam Lant! Stop ruining my reputation as a big ol’ meanie!”

You can follow Sam on Twitter as @ActorSamLant, check out his Facebook fan page, his IMDb page, and his freeline skate team’s YouTube channel. And of course donate to his Ronald McDonald House fundraiser!