What’s the path to success in the film industry? Honestly, no one can tell you about a “tried and true” approach which results in success. Safe to say that those who succeed are those who take a malleable direction. Consider Creative Producer Samina Martens whose legal/financial background might not seem overtly inclined towards the film industry but Sam, as she’s come to be known, always had a desire to work in the highly creative and collaborative world of films. In a little more than half a decade she’s worked on some of the biggest international productions with DC and Marvel. Her course is inspirational and proof that talent recognizes talent, whatever the vocational label might state.
Canadian born Samina found herself moving to Atlanta Georgia in June of 2021 to become part of the team for one of Marvel’s most popular and lucrative franchises, Guardians of the Galaxy. She describes her daily routine during the filming of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. III as “proactively dousing in conjunction with the rest of the producing team” where there was a potential for this. She notes, “Every week I would spend a few hours the team and I over the shooting schedule for the following week. I’d go scene by scene, comparing the online schedule to the script and the storyboard drawings, trying to visualize each day on set and mentally go through a list of possible problems that could arise. Has that prop been approved? In the scene we’re shooting on Tuesday, the character has just emerged from a burning room – has their costume been properly burned so the continuity tracks? On Friday, we’re shooting a scene where a character plays with a child’s game. Has the actor seen the game in advance, and been given time to practice with it, so it looks natural on the day? All these tiny little things have the potential to turn into big delays on the shoot day if we realize too late that something isn’t right. Our job was to try to circumvent these problems long before they ever became a real issue.” The film earned an Oscar nomination and convinced Ms. Martens that she was indeed well suited for a career in filmmaking as she took up offices on the Disney lot.
Hollywood is a town which runs on both talent and associations. Samina notes that her work on DC’s Peacemaker (HBO Primetime Emmy–Nominated Series starring John Cena) was the initial spark that set her television & film career off and captured the attention of the Guardians of the Galaxy team. While her notes on color grading and attention to detail were essential contributions, Sam was aware early on that people skills are deeply important. She recalls, “We had a few different ‘guest’ directors come in to direct a specific episode during the course of Peacemaker. When you have episodic television directors coming in to an already-running production, it’s important to help them ‘mesh’ with the current crew, who has been working on the production from the beginning. It’s also important that the guest director understand the tone, texture, humor, and creative sensibility of the show, so they can take up the reigns of directing their episode while still making sure it fits into the larger creative vision for the show. I worked hard to make sure that these guest directors had the support they needed to do this. I prepped all sorts of creative materials to help guest directors get a sense of the show in advance of arriving in Vancouver. I also was on set ready to provide any and all support needed. I think our collective efforts made it so the show felt like one cohesive creative vision throughout.”
The entertainment industry is not for everyone. Long days, and often longer nights, in less than cozy conditions offset the public adulation. But, if you are the kind of person who wants to “live” without a predestined course, you might be able to “make it.” Samina Martens points out that her life and career often mesh in the most delightfully unexpected of ways. She remarks, “I was in high school when the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie came out. I remember watching it in the theatre and loving it. Then I found myself somehow on set for the third one! That was pretty rewarding, just by itself. Another rewarding moment was being asked by James Gunn (Creator) to be an alien in the post-credits tag scene. I was painted pink and dressed in desert rags, and we shot the scene far out in the California desert. I had spent years working on the movie at this point, but always behind the scenes and never in front of the camera. I’m definitely not made out to be an actor! My call time was a brutal 2:45 AM. But being in the movie is a really fun memento, and the perfect way to commemorate an incredible experience.”
Writer : Basil Thomson