Finding Inspiration with Actors Samantha & William Lindsey
(Image credit: IMDB Worlds Apart page)
Earlier this month, the Spread The Space Network had the privilege of interviewing two rising actors regarding their feature film, Worlds Apart. This power couple previously worked together on the shorts 410 Stamp and Mystic Mountain, and now the pair’s latest science fiction action drama is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video for their largest audience yet. It is STSN’s great pleasure to assist with their cause and provide more insight into this dynamic duo.
Mr. William Lindsey discovered his passion for acting, like many celebrated thespians, on a high school stage doing musical theater. After spending his first two years at Palm Beach State in his hometown, he moved on to the University of South Florida to pursue an undergraduate degree in the performing arts. Around this time, he’d meet Samantha, and as fate would have it, both were looking to jumpstart their film careers by moving to California. It didn’t take long for the two of them to be married and studying under renowned acting manager Michael Cushman of the Cushman Entertainment Group. Within the year, they were introduced to their future film collaborator Canyon Martinez before finally making their way to Los Ángeles.
(Image credit: IMDB, Will Lindsey Page)
Will and Samantha both attended the International Talent and Model Association’s convention in January 2019 and won the Actor and Actress of the Year Awards, respectively. From there, he went on to appear in ads for Boost Mobile, Ring Doorbell, and TUSHY Bidet while working a steady job as a valet on the Warner Bros studio lot. While crossing paths with Hollywood legends like Mark Wahlberg, Phil Lamar, and Ellen Degenerous, he garnered the attention of fellow studio lot employees with his first 25-minute short film, 410 Stamp. Will would go on to reconnect with his old friend Canyon, and the pair were soon given access to professional sound stages and editing sessions through their combined efforts.
However, just when it seemed like the stars had aligned for their big Hollywood breakthrough, the COVID-19 pandemic struck down all of their progress in the blink of an eye. If that wasn’t enough, the Screen Actors’ Guild proceeded to launch an infamous strike against AI and unsatisfactory compensation, forcing a screeching halt upon most ongoing film and television productions throughout the early 2020s. Even for established movie stars, finding any job in this environment was next to impossible, and with the birth of their first son, Miles, Will and Samantha made the hard but necessary decision to move back to Florida. It’s easy to assume this is where their ambition towards making movies would end, but after reuniting with Canyon some time later, a creative spark would end up being lit instead.
(Image credit: IMDB, Worlds Apart page)
Throughout the 20th century, the film industry was widely synonymous with California. In recent years, however, smaller industries have begun popping up in other parts of the U.S., such as Nevada and Georgia. The latter is where Will and Samantha’s story continues, as the two of them, along with Canyon, formed Surfing’ Squatch Studios together and collaborated on their first feature-length film, Worlds Apart. After years of working up the Hollywood system to get recognized, they took what they’d learned to make that big break themselves.
(Image credit: IMDB, Worlds Apart Page)
Worlds Apart went through many revisions during its production. As with many independent films, the creators had to assess what they could accomplish using their meager budget and filming locations. However, it also provided Will and Samantha time to focus on what precisely they wanted to make. What started as a fun adventure flick became an intimate family drama crossed with a redemption arc. Most mainstream movies deal with heroes combating otherworldly forces, but it’s through Dee’s tender bond with his terminally ill mother and his budding romance with Alora that gives their conflict more intimate stakes. It’s easier to care about the world being destroyed for the umpteenth time when the audience has relatable and honorable people to root for, and that’s what Worlds Apart succeeds at above anything else.
(Image credit: IMDB, Will Lindsey Page)
At its core, Worlds Apart is a story about confronting interpersonal demons (in addition to a literal one) and becoming a stronger person for it. In many ways, Dee and Alora’s journey reflects not just Will and Samantha, but every aspiring creative out there. Constant rejection is second nature in the film industry, which leaves starving artists little choice but to take on any menial job they can to support themselves and often their loved ones. That burden often leads them to give up on their dreams, just like Dee during the movie’s opening. By its end, however, both he and Alora become stronger people through their commitment to face whatever lies ahead with unwavering confidence. That mindset is what also led Will and Samantha to forge their own success at Surgin’ Squatch Studios, and with any luck, Worlds Apart is only the beginning.
You can check out Worlds Apart on Amazon Prime Video now with just a basic subscription.
