We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tommy Anderson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Tommy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I had always been interested in being creative when I was a professional firefighter/medic in the Wisconsin State Capitol of Madison.
This started my interest in photography, writing, and cinematography.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I had always been interested in being creative either working with my hands on a project, making plastic models, and photography. But up until October of 1993 my focus was mainly on my career as a professional firefighter/medic in the Wisconsin State Capitol of Madison.
I was severely injured then disabled on a fire call. I had been in and out of hospitals up until I was forced to retire in 1997. One of my rehab nurses had told me that I should consider taking my experience and becoming a writer. I had considered it and had decided to become a professional photographer. In 2009 I decided if I wanted to make that a career I needed to move and to the Los Angeles area. My photography work really took off with me doing events, working for Riverside County doing photography for their air shows and other events, Planes of Fame in Chino, and eventually in 2o12 doing background photography for Cowboy West Productions. That was my true entrance into this career. As I advanced I started doing freelance photography for ABC7LA and it had opened up many opportunities. I had written several articles and being a veteran it was recommended that I join Veterans in Publishing out of San Diego in 2014. I had sharpened my skills and had decided to write my first novel “Haboob Wind” a thriller. It was published in 2017 and went to best seller on Amazon. Global Edge Studios in Hollywood liked the story and optioned it for a film. Also in 2016 I had joined Veterans in Media (VME) and Entertainment along with Hollywood Post 43. VME provided me with training to become a screenwriter, and actor. I was able to convert my novel into a award wining screenplay but before anything could happen we had the Covid lockdown. During that time I wrote my second best selling book “Two Million Steps”. But all of this lead to me acting obtaining an agent, working as a producer on several independent films.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I love being able to create a compelling story at times from nothing more than a thought, emotion, or observed experience. I also love when acting being able to create a believable interpretation of a character that the public can relate to.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
The biggest thing I tell, and especially when I speak to younger people interested in this career is you can only fail upwards. There is no such thing as failure just improvement. People only see my awards or projects I have been in. I always say you don’t see how many I missed out on because I just wasn’t good enough. But you learn to adapt and overcome, then improve on your missteps. I always like honest feedback it only makes us better at this craft. Sometimes just setback, watch, observing everything on set, and ask questions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thetommyanderson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommy_anderson_filmmaker/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TommyAndersonFilmmaker/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommy-anderson-609a1039/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TommyAnderson12
- Youtube: [email protected]
- Yelp: [email protected]
- Other: I have a podcast “The Real Tommy Unleashed on the IQ Podcast Network, Iheart Radio, Spotify, ApplePlay, Audible.