Today we’d like to introduce you to Tommy Anderson.
Hi Tommy, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in an all-American town in the midwest called Madison, Wisconsin. I always felt awkward in middle and high school along with being uncoordinated. I had made the decision in my senior year of high school that would change my life forever. I joined the army, which gave me the skills and ability to reform my life.
After returning from the Army, I would go on to be a firefighter and medic in Madison, Wisconsin. I went on to rise through the ranks when, after 21 years, I was seriously injured. I went through numerous surgeries, rehabilitation, and a bad marriage breakup. But through it, I became a writer and storyteller. My transformation would continue into acting, producing, and then hosting a national Podcast called the Real Tommy Unleashed Show on the IQ Podcast Network.
I am a multiple best-selling author and screenwriter. I also enjoys his role as a motivational speaker and Host of “The Real Tommy Unleashed” on the IQ Podcast Network in San Diego, streamed over 10 stations. My show is heard on multiple streaming platforms: iTunes, iHeart, Spotify, Apple Play, and more. I am also an accomplished screenwriter. He has written and been a Producer on the award-winning short film “Life After Oblivion,” based on his award-winning adapted screenplay. My first feature film screenplay, PTSD-A soldiers Revenge, is currently in post-production by Panther Trail Films – Hollywood. I also received his first directing credit on the pilot series “The Tale of Richard Pic.” Since then, I have directed and produced several award-winning short films. In addition, I am also routinely cast as an actor in commercials, television, and film.
I am a founding member of VetPics Film Productions in San Diego, California. This is an all-veteran independent film production company which produced “Life after Oblivion.” Most recently, I have been seen as the face of the national Spotify commercial as the man with the dancing dog. His best-selling novel Haboob Wind is now a screenplay, and recently won Best International Screen Writer by 8.5 Film Awards. And his new novel Two Million Steps was released in March of 2021 and went to Best Seller on Amazon in two weeks. Tommy has recently adapted this to a feature screenplay, and in addition, I have also recently written another feature screenplay called “The Broken Road,” a romantic drama that has numerous writing awards internationally.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I was seriously injured. I went through numerous surgeries, rehabilitation, and a bad marriage breakup. But through it, I became a writer and storyteller. In life, we all have challenges. However, I always say you can never fall down, just up.
What both the military and the fire service had taught me was to be prompt, organized, and disciplined. The only one who can make you fail is yourself; if you don’t give up on yourself, no one else will.
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 I just setback, watch, observing everything on set, and ask questions.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
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 an award-winning screenplay, but before anything could happen, we had the COVID lockdown. During that time, I wrote my second bestselling book “Two Million Steps”. But all of this led to me acting, obtaining an agent, working as a producer on several independent films.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Always be honest, tell the truth, and remember, when working on a project, it is not just about you but the team or group. When one of us succeeds we all succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thetommyandersonauthor.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: TommyAnderson12
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy4tBRe-ewC6iVjG3JBdaTw
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user142865980
Image Credits
SFC Communications
Getty Images
Wild West Chronicles
PBS
