Meet Sam Eisenhower | Filmmaker, Educator & Entrepreneur

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

Hi Sam, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’ve always placed a high value on my independence, as well as the freedom to maintain the ability to be creative. As a result, I’ve never liked working on someone else’s terms because I feel I have a unique way of doing things which doesn’t always fit into the typical or accepted norms. I find that achieving my own vision motivates me far more than working toward achieving someone else’s vision, which made me realize that it would be infinitely more valuable to me in the long run if I were to work on building something for myself, rather than trading my time for money in a 9-5 job. I would be creating something that would last and can grow exponentially and without limits, instead of hitting the ceilings imposed by employers. For those with ambition and a passion for creating, there’s no better way to fulfill that passion than going out and making something for yourself.

Also, what I’ve realized over time is that the mindset of going out and getting a 9-5 job for “job security” is built on a false premise. Just because you get a set paycheck every two weeks and have set hours and health benefits while you have that job doesn’t mean you have security. Especially in today’s world, there is very little loyalty that is given to employees from employers. You can see it in the high turnover rates and revolving door personnel changes that occur in so many companies, and that comes from a lack of trust between employers and their employees. As an employee, especially if you are just starting out, and especially in the corporate world, you are treated as disposable because there is a line of hundreds of people behind you who are willing to do a lot more for a lot less. So if one day you decide to stand up for yourself or if you aren’t willing to work extra hours or comply with certain policies, your “job security” goes out the window.

Living on this Earth is inherently a risk, so if I’m going to incur risk, I want to do it on my own terms and with myself as the determining factor of my own success or failure – I don’t want to put my livelihood in someone else’s hands, least of all someone who doesn’t care about me in the slightest. Embracing this mindset has allowed me, even in the tough times, to be thankful that I have control of my own destiny and to be grateful for the people around me who have afforded me that luxury and encouraged me to go down this path.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a filmmaker, director of photography and visual effects artist, and I love telling stories visually through film. Watching a movie in a theater is like sharing a dream with the people around you, and there are not many other experiences in life like that. In my films, I like to explore ideas and themes related to perception and an examination of the human experience through varying lenses such as the sci-fi, thriller, and drama genres.

What I like most about creating art is the opportunity to entertain, influence, educate, or enhance another person’s experience of life in some way – whether that’s through telling a story that resonates with someone, creating something that is aesthetically pleasing in some way, or helping people build valuable skills which allow them to better express their own visions and art. I find that my greatest feelings of success are in creating something that resonates or is enjoyed by others.

I am at varying places in my different life pursuits, from business to art, and even athletics. But in all things I’ve found the best time I ever spent in any of my pursuits was learning, teaching myself things, and gaining knowledge. I truly believe that you can learn any skill with dedication, hard work, and perseverance, and that those truly dedicated to being lifelong learners will be able to overcome any challenge.

The most important thing I’ve learned along the way is that art is at its core an expression of oneself, and that that expression is done in the form of story. Story is the absolute most important thing to learn about, study, dissect and master, regardless of what art form you are pursuing – whether it’s film, photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, or even marketing, an understanding and mastery of story is the ultimate tool for an artist. Story is what drives our lives – it’s what makes us get up in the morning and want to keep living, and it’s what builds us into better people through lessons we’ve learned and experiences we’ve had. The story of your life is the greatest, most important story you will ever create. But even if your art is experimental, formless, or non-traditional, an understanding of story and its “rules” are what allow you to break those “rules” in a meaningful way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite things to do in the Dallas area is catch a Dallas Stars game at the American Airlines Center. They’ve had a stellar and fun to watch team for several years now, and it’s only a matter of time before they win another Stanley Cup.

For food I’m a big fan of BBQ, so if you’re visiting you can’t miss out on some Texas BBQ at Slow Bone BBQ in the heart of Dallas. You can never go wrong with some smoked brisket, chicken or ribs.

Lastly, to get a bit of exercise and fresh air, I’d head down a bit outside the city area to Dinosaur Valley state park to look at some of the incredible dinosaur footprints and get in some hiking along the river. It’s a bit of a drive but it’s amazing to see history preserved in nature, and the area is excellent for hiking or picnics.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have a lot of people to thank for the freedom I’ve been given to pursue my passions, including professors, mentors, friends and even sports coaches. In many ways, if anything I feel I’ve fallen short of where I could be, given all the love, support and encouragement of those around me – and this motivates me to try to better myself every day. But above all, my family, and specifically my parents, have enabled me to have that freedom through their sacrifice, incredible effort, dedication and hard work. They are truly the most selfless and giving people I know, and I aspire to be more like them as I grow in life. I can only hope to attain the level of strength and dedication they’ve devoted to me, to pass on to my children.

Website: https://boundless-resource.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_boundlessentertainment

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-eisenhower-035363180/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069592010300

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BoundlessEntertainmentFilms