Meet Anthony Staples

We recently connected with Anthony Staples and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Anthony with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

When I was growing up my dad was gone on business quite a lot, and I always knew that he was doing “chef work” or something of the sort. I was quite young when he worked in our hometown of Indianapolis, and it wasn’t until I was a bit older and in high school when he started taking business trips across the country with the company he had been with for years. I never really got to see my dad actually working in person, that was until he started working for SCAD. As the Director of Food Services and Quality Assurance, he goes out of his way to connect with students and staff all around the SCAD campus both in Savannah and Atlanta. I have seen it first hand, and the work ethic that my father has instilled in me is reflected in my day to day life. Morals of teamwork, loyalty, kindness, responsibility and perseverance are just a few of the lessons that my father and mother have passed on to me, and I carry them with me wherever I go.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a music producer, Foley artist and sound designer based in Savannah, Georgia. Originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, I have been pursuing musical outlets since I was around 6 years old. The music I make can best be described as a blend of dusty lo-fi textures and vintage samples contrasted by sharp, innovative electronic elements. Since starting my solo artist project Mim in 2019, I have released over 30 singles, a 6 track EP and a 12 track mixtape. I strive to always bring a personal aspect to my work, whether I am designing unique sounds or writing an original piece of music. When I was a kid I taught myself piano and I currently play drums for Candy Truck, an emerging four piece Savannah skate punk band. Back in Indianapolis I established the bedroom hip-hop collective Young Nova with my best friend in 2016.

I am now honing my skills in Sound Design as a senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design and as an academic member of the Cinema Audio Society. I have credits on multiple SCAD productions including Supervising Sound Editor, Composer, Dialogue Editor, Production Audio Mixer, Foley Artist and Re-Recording Mixer. My true passion lies in the art of Foley and tailoring sounds to be as specific to a character or object as possible. I love the fact that Foley is usually overlooked, but is undeniably essential to any film or TV show. I am fascinated by the capabilities and impermanence of analogue gear, and found an unexpected relationship with modular synthesis. I excel in the process of synchronizing something I see with something I do with my body or hands, which stems from years of training my hand/eye coordination by DJing and playing drums. I would love to eventually have a full time job as a Foley Artist for a media company, but as I depart from SCAD I have my sights set on being a recording studio assistant, as I love collaborating with musical artists to help them to realize their sonic vision.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Patience, communication and passion.
For someone early in their journey, I would say it’s extremely important to have a patient attitude towards others as well as yourself. Everyone has a different timeline of success, and it will hurt you in the long run to constantly compare yourself to others. Remind yourself often of how far you’ve come, and it will be much easier to appreciate your artistic growth.
Communication is essential for any project to go smoothly with others and helps foster a healthy team relationship. Someone who asks thoughtful questions is going to be valued a lot more than someone who tries to decipher and assume their duties. Communicating with your team often also lets them know that you are taking the project seriously and care about the final outcome. Sometimes it’s great to write down your thoughts/concerns before you call or talk to a higher-up so you come off as succinct and well prepared.
Lastly, passion is a beautiful thing. Few emotions compare to the feeling of your mind and heart being tethered to a certain kind of work. Wherever someone finds this feeling in the professional field I urge them to continue on that path, because doing work that you’re passionate about fulfills the soul and provides daily inspiration. You will actually look forward to go to work, and the work that you produce has a much greater chance of showcasing the essence of who you really are.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

I would say my Dad. He really inspires me when I think about the odds he overcame in his life, and the sacrifices he made to provide me with a great childhood into adulthood. He taught me loyalty, perseverance, kindness and the power of being myself. We had many mock interviews together and he has prepared me for every job I have ever had. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t even be attending SCAD where I truly discovered my talents, and I am forever grateful for my whole family, but especially my Dad.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Kelly Vahos

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Where do you get your work ethic from?

We’ve all heard the phrase “work hard, play hard,” but where does our work ethic

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
From Burnout to Balance: The Role of Self-Care

Burning out is one of the primary risks you face as you work towards your