Meet Sam Thompson | Writer, Actor, Film Producer

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

Hi Sam, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I often think of the saying ‘if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.’ In my younger years, I had a zealous sort of ‘me-against-the-world’ philosophy with which I approached my career, which is something that I regret now, looking back. I used to rigid and unpliable in my procedure, and I’d guard my positions like a beachhead. It took a few years, I think, for me to fully realize that the entertainment industry (and all industries, I’d imagine) are largely political in the sense that your success is facilitated by your connections and the value you bring to other people.
There is a very ‘you-scratch-my-back, one-hand-washes-the-other’ kind of process to film production – and although it is by no means a democracy, the very nature of the art form demands collaboration. A big turning point in my career is when I stopped worrying so much about breaking in to some higher echelon of the industry, and instead focused on what was possible in my immediate vicinity. Talent is exceptionally common – it’s everywhere. I think that the biggest reason so many deserving artists don’t ‘make it’ is not due to a lack of talent, but perhaps a lack of political awareness in regards to the landscape of their little corner of the industry.
I have been blessed enough to be placed in a position where I am surrounded by extremely passionate, talented professionals, across a variety of fields of expertise. This empowers me to not only bring to life my own visions, but to assist them in doing the same. I would claim this as the most important factor in my success – which most recently can be observed by the Red Carpet World Premiere of the film ‘Shooting Guard’ – on which I worked as a producer, screenwriter, and actor. The event (and the film itself) where the largest and most expensive production that I’ve ever been involved with at an above-the-line level, and NONE of it would have been possible without the countless sacrifices made by the other producers, the director, and our massively-dedicated cast and crew.

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.
‘Shooting Guard’ represents a huge milestone for myself and for the people at Loste Films. It’s our first feature-length film, which is a collective dream towards which we have been pushing for YEARS. To see it finally come to life at the historic Mayan Theatre on August 11th was surreal. Looking through the photographs of the event is like an out-of-body experience. All said-and-done, Shooting Guard consumed every aspect of my life for over a year. When you work so hard for so long, on the same project, it starts to take on this leviathan quality where it feels like some sort of alternate reality to which only you are privy. Seeing it play on the big-screen for hundreds of people, many of whom have never seen even a single shot before, and hearing the audience react, feeling that energy in the room… Oh man. That’s an indescribable feeling. I’m still recovering from all that, but I do have such high ambitions for the future. It’s a reassurance of the righteousness of the path. All the late-nights, all the headache, stress, sacrifice – it all becomes worth it in the blink of an eye when you see your name in the opening credits.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
That’s an interesting question – I guess if I really wanted to give an out-of-towner a true Denver experience (or at least my version of it) we would start the day off at Davie’s Chuckwagon Diner on Colfax. I love that place – I used to eat breakfast there daily when I lived at 14th and Garrison. Cheap diner food, steak and eggs, biscuits and gravy, etc. I sadly don’t make it to that side of town as much as I’d like, but it’s still a tradition for myself and Myles Juniel to eat there before our premieres. Being a filmmaker, I dearly love movies, so we’d probably go to a movie. Landmark’s Mayan Theatre on Broadway is a classic. It’s like stepping back in time to an era when audiences had more appreciation for the moviegoing experience, before the corporate multiplexes monopolized the industry. The neo-Mayan revisionist architecture, the stucco and terracotta, it’s all absolutely breathtaking. It makes me feel like I’m watching a film how it was intended to be viewed.
After that, we could go downtown to the bars. I like the spots by Coors Field, the Larimer Square area, all that.
Herbs is a favorite of mine – it’s the best spot for live music in the city. I’d rather to to Herbs and watch the jazz lineup than go to Red Rocks to watch some platinum-selling act any day of the week.
Some other stuff that I would add to the itinerary would be the astounding Convergence Station exhibit at Meow Wolf. Tickets are a little pricy, but stepping into that sixty-million-dollar exhibit is an experience like no-other. I really like the museum of modern art also, although I haven’t been in months.
Denver is a great city for local music, too. Lost Lake, Seventh Circle, HQ (formerly Three Kings) – all of those places give me a certain nostalgia kick, back to the days when I was in a band myself and playing gigs, trying to make some sort of statement through sound and fury.
And, of course, it’s not the real Colorado experience if we spend all our time in the city. Westward, the mountains await – glorious royal snow-capped citadels reaching skyward towards God himself, majestic and beautiful beyond compare. What a way to escape. The nature, the wildlife… we’re so lucky to live in this state. After a few days downtown, let’s finish out the week in the high country, hunting, fishing, singing bygone tunes around a campfire while we roast up some backstrap. I grew up in the country, and although now I may conduct all my business in the city, I take every opportunity to go back to my roots up in the mountains.

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?
There are so many names – but for the purposes of this series, three stand out. First and foremost would be Agapi Petra, the creator, star, and executive producer of ‘Shooting Guard.’ I’ve had the pleasure of working with a lot of talented people over the years, but Agapi showed me a level of dedication and a willingness to sacrifice that I have never seen before. The guy fearlessly gave everything he had for his dream (and I do mean everything) and he is and continues to be an inspiration to me.
Luke Ostermiller, the director of ‘Shooting Guard’ and the founder of Loste Films. Luke is more than a business partner to me – over the years he has become one of my closest friends. Speaking from a perspective of raw talent, Luke probably has more than anyone else at his level of the industry. His work-ethic and shrewdness are unmatched, and without him, none of what I do in the Denver film scene would be possible.
Lastly, I have to thank my family – My parents, my siblings, my aunt and uncle, my brother-in-law and my two beautiful nieces. I owe more to these people than I could possibly put into words. I love them all dearly, and I owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be adequately repaid.

Instagram: @samthebossman

Image Credits
@its.justlex @bkm_photo