Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony “tone” Hammond
Anthony “Tone”, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Music was my first love growing up. I got my start around 2011-2012, during what I’d call the “DSLR Renaissance”—a time when a bunch of kids, myself included, got their hands on DSLRs and learned to shoot by watching endless YouTube tutorials.
I was lucky to be surrounded by a talented group of friends (shoutout to Earl Little, Joshua Faulkner, my boys for life) who were extremely gifted music producers, coming up during another creative wave—what I’d call the “beat-making era.” We were part of a movement in Baltimore, doing shows all over town, inspired by the rise of SoundCloud and artists like Flying Lotus, Afta-1, and MNDSGN. Back then, LA had a thriving scene where producers would showcase their beats—no lyrics, just vibes. We wanted to bring that same energy to Baltimore but take it a step further by incorporating visuals.
So, I saved up, bought a Canon T3i, and started shooting photos and videos for my friends. That’s how it all began.
My first job at 16 had been at a movie theater, and though I didn’t know it back then, that experience planted the seeds of my fascination with filmmaking.
During my senior year of college, I took a film writing class as an elective—the last one I needed to graduate. What I didn’t know at the time, was that the professor, Michael Angelella, was notoriously tough. The course was designed to weed out students who weren’t serious about filmmaking , while I had signed up purely out of interest of the craft.
Not only was it challenging, but I had to pass to graduate—and ironically, it ended up being tougher than the classes in my own major! The experience felt like something straight out of the movie “Whiplash”. At the time, I couldn’t understand his harsh methods, but now, looking back, I see exactly why he was the way he was. From day one, Professor Angelella made it clear he rarely gave out A’s—or even B’s. His philosophy was blunt: if you earned an A in his class, it meant you were destined to be the next Tarantino, and in his mind, none of us were. Students would leave class in tears, worried about their perfect GPAs. I couldn’t help but think, What have I gotten myself into? All I knew was that I had to pass. The class was grueling, and I ended up with a C. But what stuck with me wasn’t the grade—it was what he said to me during our one-on-one meeting before the semester ended.
“Don’t feel bad about the C,” he told me. “ I appreciated your thoughtful contributions to this class, you have a lot of potential, and you should consider a career in this industry.” Those words stayed with me, and they’ve meant more to me over time than any grade ever could.
The rest is sort’ve history. I graduated, saved up ten thousand dollars, packed up to move to LA, and decided to be a part of this industry.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Absolutely not.
.
I’ve slept in my car, lived in an empty apartment, crashed on air mattresses for months, and even slept in my office—you name it. I’ve made countless sacrifices in search of stability, and honestly, the struggle isn’t over. But through it all, I’m grateful for the journey. Even more, I’m blessed to have a wife, who truly understands where I am and where I’m headed. She never let me quit, and for that, I’m beyond lucky and deeply appreciative.
Most of my biggest challenges these days have come from trying to make “the jump”—that transition to bigger projects with better budgets. It’s a classic catch-22: you need experience on larger projects to get hired for them, but you can’t gain that experience without someone taking a chance on you.
What I’ve learned is that patience and timing are everything. You have to stay ready, take every opportunity seriously, and make the absolute most of it when your moment comes.
Looking back, I wasn’t struggling—I was simply living the life of an artist. It’s all part of the journey.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Set Lighting Technician (SLT) and Gaffer. Occasionally — You might see me Camera Operate on smaller non-union projects.
I used to be known for my narrative-driven music videos, and one of the projects I’m most proud of is my work with the artist Joonie. He collaborated with P.J. Morton on a song called “Share My Love,” which along with my comrades Jelani Cleghorne & Brianna Devons, we filmed it, and it aired on BET Soul TV. We also created a three-part music/short film that I’m especially proud of because I pushed myself creatively, blending music and film in a way that isn’t often seen. It was an opportunity to do something different, and that challenge is what excites me most about this industry.
What sets me apart is my strong sense of taste and style. It might sound arrogant, but I genuinely believe I have a good sense of when something’s right and when it’s not.
There may be gaffers who are more technically proficient, but I approach this craft as a dedicated student of both filmmaking and the industry. I spend a lot of time studying cinema, reading screenplays, and reverse-engineering what makes certain films timeless—analyzing why scenes are lit and shot in specific ways. That constant curiosity and passion for storytelling fuel my work and set me apart, I think.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a pretty balanced kid. I came from a hyper-athletic, middle-class family in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD, surrounded by athletes—including myself. But while sports were a big part of my life, I was just as drawn to the creative arts, especially music.
From an early age, I had a deep passion for playing instruments—particularly the trumpet. My parents even told me I was considered a child prodigy at the time. Music was the first thing I ever remember truly loving.
At the same time, I was a huge nerd—in the best way. Gaming has been a lifelong passion, and I was always tinkering with technology. As a kid, I’d take apart my dad’s computer just to upgrade it and see how everything worked. That curiosity for both art and tech has stuck with me ever since.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tonehammond.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonehammond
