Daily Inspiration: Meet Anthony Cook

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Cook.

Hi Anthony, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started media production after college in small non-media town Anderson, SC. I got lucky after college by a friend getting me into the film industry as he was a G&E day player in the upstate at 18YO at the time. He helped me get started as a PA. Working that set ignited my passion for filmmaking. From there I learned as much as I could as quickly as I could. I worked in freelance film on a lot of older shows that are just now resurfacing to steamers (like Hulu). I started my own business doing wedding photography and videography as well as doing real estate videos. KW was my main client but I ended up working for Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton in the Caribbean a healthy amount – that was the best gig ever and I tried to make it full time but just didn’t work out. My wife and I met and years later got married and she brought me to Atl. From there I ended up in corporate but still dabbling in the film industry as time allowed. I worked on America’s Got Talent here and most recently One Fast Move on Amazon Prime as EPK/BTS videographer. Today, I’m Cortland’s Video Producer and I’ve been here nearly 7 years. I have a few other really big corporate HQ’s prospecting me now as well.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth road, yes, only because I’m a hard worker, good networker, passionate, and I don’t really take no for an answer if I want something. Yes in that it has not been conventional, clear at time, or easy. I definitely work my ass off all the time and constantly struggle to have time for passion projects, growth, etc. The road ahead is even more mirky thanks to the dominance of algorithms and advent of AI. A lot could be said about any of those twists and turns but that’s the idea.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
You can check out my work at www.theanthonycook.com. I do multimedia production. That includes videography/cinematography (my bread and butter), photography, graphic design, motion graphic design, sound design, VFX, and some other skills. The focus is digital imaging – if you need something produced or touched digitally, I got you. I’m most proud of landing some big productions to get my name in the credits on streamers, filming TV broadcast commercials, and overall developing my skills in translating business objectives into creative digital media solutions. What sets me apart is that I’m a jack of all trades, except most jack of all trades are masters of none, but I’ve got the mastery level on lockdown (as much as I can lol). I’m also different in that most tech/creative people lack the personality that you see in business, but I bring a good attitude, a solution-oriented outlook, and the ability to work hard but play harder.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Who I am and how I’m grounded hasn’t changed to date. But growing up, I was definitely way more immature on all levels. I am and always have been very otroverted – very socially accepted but different. I had the best childhood anyone could ever ask for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theanthonycook.com
• Instagram: @ant_cook