We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anthony Valdés-strickler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anthony below.

Anthony, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Before I could really think for myself, my parents took a lot of risks. We moved around a lot when I was a kid. I spent time in Guatemala during middle school as my parents built an evangelical church there. But my personal, first, and biggest risk was moving to New York.

It was January 2013 and I showed up in the dead of winter—a kid who had mostly lived in Pinellas County, Florida, his whole life—with two suitcases, two guitars, and enough money to rent a bedroom with eight other roommates. It was exciting, and, well, I wanted to be a rockstar! But life has a way of getting you somewhere you didn’t think of.

After a long time working in retail stores and offices (which I still sometimes do), I found myself taking another huge risk: working in the film industry. I quit my job and started working as a Production Assistant, and several months after that decision, I directed and produced my first short film, “The Opener”, a documentary about New York made apertiifs and was the lead producer on a short film “The Tower” that was selected for at least 4 film festivals. Now, I’m programming a short film series and finishing my second short as not only a director and producer, but writer and editor.

Risks should be calculated, both logically and financially, but don’t forget the emotional part. Ask yourself: What do you think this will make you feel when you risk what you’ve got?

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a gay Cuban-American director and producer with a love for cocktails and spirits (I have three certifications to prove it).

I like to think my work explores the hopes and passions of being human, even when the odds are stacked against us—as they have been for me many times. My journey began in audio as a singer-songwriter, creating a few podcasts along the way. I also worked in hospitality, which taught me how to connect with people and work collaboratively.

I want to work with clients who are passionate about telling their stories. I aim to collaborate with individuals and brands who strive to pass on their values through what they do, make, or create. Everyone has a story that is unique to them, yet these stories often make us feel connected and similar. My goal is to help bring these stories to life, capturing their authenticity and emotional depth.

What sets me apart is not just my technical ability but also who I am. Whether it’s through film, branded content, or storytelling, I am most proud of creating work that resonates emotionally and inspires others to see the world—and themselves—in new ways.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Apart from purchasing art at its real value and not trying to underpay for creative services, there are many ways to offer support. If you own a space, you could showcase the work or even offer discounts. Even just showing up for creative events or sharing their work on social media can make a big difference. These might seem like small steps, but honestly, that’s where it starts. If we focus on supporting the humans behind the art and show up for them in whatever ways they need, that’s how we move the social needle.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Creativity is not easily quantifiable, and that can be difficult to understand. Economics and social media have made creativity seem very cheap—and to an extent, it can be. Sometimes, you see things you might consider simple or unimportant, and the inevitable thought pops into your head: “I can do that.” But being a creative is having the audacity and hope to actually pursue what you think you could do is a whole other level. Not everyone is like that.

That’s why you should stop and really look at that “crazy” painting. Instead of thinking, “I can do that” or “Let’s do it for super cheap,” think: “I didn’t do that, and how much time, effort, and resources did they spend on what they created?” Here’s a little secret for you: being a creative is expensive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://audyear.com
• Instagram: @audyear
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@audyearfilms
• Other: vimeo.com/audyear
  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/audyear/1281740804
  https://open.spotify.com/artist/1gl8F1ek8YIHWxTb14uIKF?si=EnJcd4HsRrmp5rDpcwgxJA

Image Credits

Anthony Anaya-Gorman, Anh Vu