Check Out Sam Brooks’ Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Brooks.

Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
It was 2015, I was a Junior at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville studying kinesiology. Deep down I knew I was just going with the grain. My plan was to graduate, become a Physical Therapist, and settle down… But if I’m being honest, my life lacked purpose and was flooded with uncertainty.

One day, my roommate at the time, walked into our living room holding a little flier announcing that UT film grads were undergoing auditions to fill the roles of their short film. Little did I know this would change the trajectory of my entire life.

While waiting in a hallway filled with theater students, a head popped out from behind the door and called my name…I must have blacked out because I don’t remember much about the audition. However, to my surprise, a few days later I got a phone call announcing that I booked the supporting lead role and I loved every second of that experience.

After graduating, I moved back home to Nashville, TN with my degree in hand. Rather than do anything useful with it I framed it, hung it up on my wall, and called it day… So, to the dismay of my parents, I decided to put all my eggs into the acting basket.

I began to study with William Arnold at The 4th Wall Acting Studio and immersed myself in the world of film and television. After auditioning for every gig that came my way, I got my first role with the Investigation Discovery channel as the lead on an episode for a murder reenactment show titled ‘Your Worst Nightmare’ (Season 3 Episode 4).

I still remember the night that episode aired like it was yesterday. My Dad, who has come full circle and is now my biggest fan, hosted the celebration and invited more friends than I did. This was heart-warming and hilarious all at the same time. We screamed and hollered while I murdered a woman on television with a ball-peen hammer. Not the most dignified role, but we were happy to celebrate my debut as an actor and that was special. This was the confirmation I needed to keep following this new found passion and make it into a career.

Since then, I’ve had the pleasure of working for the DC Universe, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, 20th Century Fox, Spectrum, BET, Paramount, Warner Brothers, and a bunch of beautiful Indie filmmakers.

Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
This industry definitely does not come with a manual or a roadmap… At times it feels like the only word in the industry’s vocabulary is ‘no.’ However, with each ‘no,’ I get one step closer to the ‘yes’ that could change everything.

In the beginning I struggled with observing friends take the more traditional career paths; making a nice salary, buying houses, driving nicer cars, etc. Yet, I knew that if I didn’t follow this path I would always be living with the regret of not choosing the road less traveled that would nourish my soul.

It took me about a year and a half to find my groove with auditioning, especially in the realms of self-taping. I was doing entirely too much and got silenced by casting directors. It wasn’t until I began to take on a new strategy and bring my authenticity into my work that I began to get called back by the same casting directors that silenced me.

The most consistent challenge for me has been the dead periods between projects. Starting off, I was so consumed in the thought of “making it” that I allowed these dead periods to be dedicated to acting and acting only. Inevitably my life began to lack balance. I was allowing myself to be a student of acting, but not a student of life.

Personally, I began to overcome the dead periods, by diving inwards and working on myself: spirit, mind, and body. This helped me find balance and sparked a new source of creativity. I started to create my own content and work with friends and other creatives on various projects. This maintains momentum, builds connections, and beats the hell out of waiting around for the phone to ring.

In an industry that can test every ounce of your will power and love for the craft, these are the key ingredients that allow me to hone my chops and keep me sane.

We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in acting for film and television. To date, I’m most known for my role as Arnie (a fun-loving 70s camp counselor) in R.L. Stine’s ‘Fear Street Pt. 2 1978’ which was #1 trending on Netflix last summer.

Beyond acting, I’ve written screenplays, directed films, spearheaded TikTok campaigns, produced commercial jingles, published a poetry book, and even helped compose a few film scores.

The attribute that sets me apart is that I am not afraid to embody my authenticity and bring that into my art. I love bringing this positive energy on set and uplifting my fellow coworkers whenever I can. Moreover, helping others tap into their authenticity brings me the utmost joy.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources that help you do your best in life (at work or otherwise)?
After my first audition in college, I was given the book ‘The Greatest Salesman in the World’ written by Og Mandino. My friend knew that this book was influential to Matthew McConaughey’s career and thought it would be of value to me as well. He was spot on.. This book gave me the courage to dive head first into acting and I am forever grateful.

Most of the time I enjoy reading spiritual and self-help books. Some of my favorites include:

‘Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine’ by Robert Moore & Douglas Gillette

‘Way of the Peaceful Warrior’ by Dan Millman

‘The Genius Zone’ by Gay Hendricks

‘The Tenth Insight: Holding the Vision’ by James Redfield

‘Your Souls Plan’ by Robert Schwartz

& any book by Don Miguel Ruiz

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theavenueagency.com/
• Instagram: @storyofsambrooks

Image Credits
Adrian Mora and Taylor Redd