Meet Anthony Caldwell: Actor & Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Caldwell and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Anthony, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Striking out on my own has always been a passion of mine. It gives me the feeling of controlling my own destiny versus having it be controlled by societal demands. I’m also a believer in the idea of investing in myself and allowing my education to compound, just like interest with money. My father started his own business before I entered high school and built into a sustainable vehicle that allows him to travel the world and earn a decent living, all while continuing his brand of education. He was and is a big inspiration into building my myself and my career. And although my passion is the entertainment industry and my creative outlet is acting, I don’t view it any differently than any other sort of entrepreneurship, sport, or activity. Similarly to a sport and in spite of my talk about all my own personal ideas and experiences, it’s all about working as a team.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Probably the biggest myth that has kept me from becoming the best artist I can be is the standard definition and timing of success. America, especially Hollywood likes to glamourize people in their 20s becoming huge financial and popular successes overnight. And if we don’t have our faces on billboards or a million in the bank by a certain age, we’ve failed. My favorite stories are the ones of people finding a second life after they have achieved their goals and I’ve started to focus on finding mentors and individuals who can help me get become a marginally better person. It’s the people who aren’t in the public eye all the time who are usually the ones most willing to help you achieve your goals. Once I got past my perfectionism, I was able to free up my artistic experience perform every day at the best of my abilities. Another challenge and one I’m starting to embrace is finding roles for myself by purchasing IP and developing projects. I’m trying to think for next year, and the year after that, and 10 years from now and what I might want to take on in that time span. Since these are my prime years, having the ability to pick and choose projects will allow me to craft my own image.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d eat at Howling Rays in Downtown LA, In N Out Burger (of course), and Los Amigos in Burbank. The last is one of the best Mexican food joints in town. As a former beach bum, I’d take them to Point Dume to surf and pop over to Malibu Farms after for local produce. Although they are not open now, when they re-open, I’ll take friends and family to the LA Opera or to the Walt Disney Concert Hall when Gustavo Dudamel is conducting. There are also quite a few local equity theatres in the area, not to mention the annual Greystone Mansion mystery theatre show, and it’s always fun to catch a regional performance. Finally, I love the Hollywood Lake for a nice stroll.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Zechariah Thormodsgaard is an amazing entrepreneur and artist and the director of my most recent film, Convergence. Zak has an amazing attitude and focus. He’s going to be a big name in Hollywood within the decade. My acting coach Faline England at The Imagined Life studio, has expanded my abilities as an artist more than any other coach. Finally, I’d like to shout out Tony Lore at Youth Mentoring Connection. I’ve volunteered at their surf camp in past years and just showing up to chat with the underprivileged youth there has opened my eyes. It’s a great cause that I will continue to support.
Instagram: instagram.com/anthonybcaldwell
Other: www.imdb.me/anthonycaldwell