Rising Stars: Meet Sammie Cassell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sammie Cassell

Hi Sammie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was born and raised in rural Virginia. I graduated from a community college with a degree in digital electronics. Everything I had done up until that point had revolved around rural living. I couldn’t wait to get somewhere that had things to do. I moved to NC afterwards and went to work doing electrical installations. It was hard work for little pay, but I learned a lot. I was ambitious though and was looking for something more. That came in the form of the arcade business. I had dabbled in that line of work in college by working at an arcade mall handing out quarters. I had learned a little about the maintenance side of it there but it did not prepare for the 25+ years that I spent in that industry. 6 years ago, we figured out that there’s more money to be made if I owned the business so my wife and I struck out on our own. Now I own 4 businesses and work for 3 others. At 53, I’m the busiest I’ve ever been and loving every minute of it. At 42, after years of coaching softball and raising kids, I took up acting as a hobby. It’s become more than that and has led to some fun and interesting times. Then, during the pandemic, I took up improv comedy and fell in love with it. I guess you could say I’m a gluten for punishment.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s always bumps in the road. It was culture shock coming from such a rural community to a mid sized city. I was not “in on” the world. I had so much to learn. In my mid 20s, I was kind of lost. Out of a heartbreak and the financial burden of a home by myself, I threw myself into work. I was lonely but also never wanted to settle. That paid off in my late 20s when I met my wife. She had two small children and that changed my life. As with any parenting, there are trials and tribulations there and we were no different. My wife had a mountain of debt from a bad husband and I was burdened as well, but together and through hard work, we’ve flourished.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I feel like I have a broad range of abilities. My main specialty is in the arcade business. From arcade games to pinballs to gambling, I can work on about anything. My main focus now is gambling machines but I still own several pinball machines and enjoy working on them. I also have 10 years of acting experience, 11 years of haunt acting experience and 4 years of improv comedy experience.
I think I’m known for my hard work and willingness to learn. I’ve prided myself on out working others. To going above and beyond, especially when it comes to my customers.
What sets me apart from a lot of others is my ingenuity and adaptability. I can conform to a situation and adapt to the people I’m dealing with.
I think what I’m most proud of is some of the independent films we’ve done. Every filmmaker wants to see “their heart on the screen”. I’ve been lucky enough to see that happen with my help 4 times with Sammie the Comic Book Man, Spirit of the Cinema, Blue Eyed Boy and Mr Death and 3 Quarters.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you’re in North Carolina, you can come to the Wreak Havoc Horror Film Fest Sept 14 and 15 at Marketplace Cinemas in Winston-Salem. You can also come see me this fall at Kersey Valley Spookywoods. Other than that, we’re listed at WreakHavocProductions.com

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.wreakhavocproductions.com
• Instagram: sammie_cassell
• Facebook: Sammie Cassell
• Twitter: @sammiecassell
• Youtube: Wreak Havoc Productions

Image Credits
@foxywithsprinkles
@stevelesser