Meet Anthony Parson | Emmy Award Winning Sound Designer & Film Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Parson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks has been a cornerstone of my journey, both personally and professionally. For me, embracing risk is not just about the potential rewards but also about building confidence early on. The act of taking risks when you have little to lose can be incredibly empowering. It prepares you for moments later in life when the stakes are higher, and taking risks becomes essential.

One of the most pivotal experiences in my life was producing my first documentary, Bateau On The James. I was passionate about the story I wanted to tell and believed it was crucial for the world to hear. However, I was stepping into uncharted territory—I had no prior experience in filmmaking, no budget, and no network in the industry. It was intimidating to say the least.

Securing locations and interviews without financial backing was a massive challenge. I remember feeling overwhelmed, but I was driven by my vision. Convincing people to support a project when you have no track record is tough. It’s all about persistence and consistency.

For instance, there was one key individual I needed for the documentary. He was incredibly busy and initially, he didn’t have time for me. But I was determined. I called him every two days, asking if he had time to talk. Eventually, my persistence paid off, and he agreed. This taught me a crucial lesson: taking risks isn’t just about the big leaps but also about the relentless, day-to-day grind. That documentary gave me my first Emmy nomination under my own company. It was an amazing feeling.

In those moments of uncertainty, confidence in yourself and your vision is what carries you through. It’s like that Lil Wayne song— it will all work out. And it did.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is about truth—whether it hurts or not, it tells the truth. It also portrays the real world for what it is, but it also gives hope and shows that you can overcome a lot of things in life. What sets me apart from others is that I’m willing to take the risk of saying what shouldn’t be said or done, things that are highly sensitive. I’ve never been to film school, but I’m able to do what I do. That’s the beauty of art; it’s all subjective and doesn’t require any schooling. You just have to get out there and create. I’ve heard a lot of people say you just have to get out there, mess up a few times, and you will get it right, but what is getting it right when you are creating? It’s all subjective. Of course, if you’re like me, there comes a level of perfection that we as creatives have, but nowadays I’ve been just going with the flow. Something that I have to mention is that people think they need so much gear to make something great in film, but to be honest, if you light your scene properly, you can have a great film with a $500 camera. Lighting is so important. Keep that in mind. This also probably can apply to any industry. Remember, you don’t need to be great to get started, but to be great you have to get started. I got that from Les Brown a great motivational speaker. Look him up!

I think where I’m at in life is all because of God’s favor, because none of this was easy and still not easy. I still have rough patches, and I don’t think those rough moments would ever not happen—it shapes you. Everybody who has done amazing things had a little dirt on them. So take those moments and thrive with them. I also feel that meeting the right people at the right time is what played a major part in my life. And just to be clear how you meet those people at the right time is by being intentional about whatever it is that you want to do. When it came to challenges, I’m not going to lie, sometimes they come strong, but you know, new levels, new devils. But I learned along the way how to spot the new levels and, more importantly, the new devils. I think not taking the deals that they hand out, even if it’s a sweet one, you’d be better off because a lot of times the backend will hit you harder than turning those deals down. Also, while we are talking about the backend, I want everyone to hear me: the backend is way sweeter than the front. Let me explain.

Most people think about that front money or opportunity, whatever it is, that presents itself as something good for you. We are quick to shut down opportunities where a collaboration with someone or something presents itself as free or not so much in your favor at the time. I want you to keep in mind, that’s why it is important to make decisions based on your values and morals, because if it’s something that you love, that backend will be sweeter than you ever thought. Believe me, I have done so much free work, but because it aligned with my values, I pushed for it, and that backend was great, plus, on top of that, it inspired people. There were some situations where I went against my values because the presentation looked good, in other words, the money was stacked up, but guess what? I hated every moment that I was in those projects and nothing came from them, by nothing I mean no inspiration. So yeah, the upfront money was great, but it wasn’t enough for the pain it caused. So be careful what you choose. Always choose with your values.

The thing that I want my art to convey is helping people see that it is possible to inspire people even when you don’t even feel inspired, don’t have the money to get your project off the ground, but still can make it happen. I want the world to know when they think of THE LIICO COMPANY, they think of possibilities, risk-taking, and the love to inspire.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would show them how to press record on the camera, set up the lights, and when to say action. Haha! But honestly, I’m not much of a planner. I prefer to go with the flow, though I’ve been warming up to the idea of checking out local plays lately. I like outdoor fun, we’d be all about it—fishing, metal detecting—anything that promises unexpected adventures and stories. As for food, I have a weakness for Thai cuisine. There’s this spot in my city where they practically know my order as soon as I walk in… yeah, I might have a slight addiction to it. But hey, who can resist good Thai food, right? To sum it all up I like being outside so anything outside in nature would get the job done. You don’t have to spend a lot to have fun, because the fun is between you and your friends and how you create that fun.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are several people who have played significant roles in my journey, and I’d love to give a shoutout to a few of them.

First up, my dad. Growing up, I watched him work incredibly hard. He had many businesses that’s where I get my entrepreneurial spirit from. He ran a production company called New Sound Productions and was a pioneer in the Richmond, Virginia music scene. He really paved the way for local promoters and created opportunities for so many others. I think it’s about time they give him his flowers! Seeing his dedication and drive left a deep impression on me. One thing that always stood out was how he made sure to pay people on time. It didn’t matter what—if someone did their job, he made sure they got their money promptly. That lesson stuck with me, and now I take pride in paying people on time and expect the same in return. So, have my money! It’s an integrity thing, so if you don’t have integrity it’s no way I can work with.

Beyond his work ethic, my dad is a wellspring of creativity. He could come up with amazing ideas out of nowhere, and that’s definitely something I’ve inherited. I strive to bring that same level of creative thinking to everything I do.

Then there’s my mom. She epitomized persistence. Once she set her mind to something, nothing could deter her until it was accomplished. I see that same trait in myself—when I’m committed to a goal, I refuse to take no for an answer. This relentless drive has been instrumental in reaching my objectives. My mom also had a remarkable ability to bring people together. She could rally all the neighborhood kids for creative activities like modeling contests and singing competitions. But the one game that stood out most was “Four Square.” It’s a game everyone should know. Her knack for involving everyone has deeply influenced me as a filmmaker. I find immense joy in collaborating with others; it’s fulfilling when we come together on a project where everyone wins.

Both my parents were into music, which influenced me a lot. My dad’s production company was a big deal, and my mom was a singer who also wrote raps. It’s funny to think about now, but back when I was making music, we recorded a song together. Each of us had a verse, and I still have that track today. Honestly, my mom and dad could probably out-rap some of today’s artists! Haha!

A big shoutout also goes to my cousin Aaron. When I was six, Biggie Smalls’ “Get Money” was playing everywhere, and I was obsessed with it. Somehow, Aaron got me the cassette tape—yes, back when cassettes were a thing! To this day, I have no idea how he got it, but it set me on a path to loving music. As Kanye West said, “I guess we’ll never know.” That tape was a game-changer for me. I started remixing songs as a kid, using my mom’s R&B tapes, stuffing the holes with tissue to record over them, and experimenting with the sounds. So yeah, I was chopping and screwing tracks way back in ’96!

Reflecting on these experiences, it’s clear how much they’ve shaped who I am today. Now that I’m 33, I’m much more selective about what I allow into my life and quick to shut down anything that doesn’t align with my spirit. I truly believe in following your intuition—it usually knows what’s best. Even if you make mistakes along the way, it’s all part of the learning experience.

There are so many others who have influenced my journey, and while I can’t name them all here, they know who they are. Each person, whether they were a positive force or a challenging lesson, has contributed something valuable to my story.

And finally, those early musical moments will always be special to me. They laid the foundation for my journey and continue to inspire me. Big thanks to everyone who’s been part of my story!

Website: https://www.theliicocompany.com

Instagram: tonyliico

Image Credits
Christopher Lee Photography (@christopher_lee_photography) INAMAZIUM