Anthony R. Page - - Comprehensive BIO
Producer/Director/Writer/Actor Anthony R. Page |
The
Caveat & Context
Anthony R Page, a self-employed creative, operates under the moniker Blue Bistro Creative.
Based in Atlanta,
GA, he has been involved in a wide variety of independent
film, television, and theater projects as well as client-driven
photography & graphic design throughout the country.
Outside the world of
film, TV, and theater, the native of Belvedere, South Carolina has been a musician, served as a curator of fine art exhibitions; studied ballet;
designed a community garden; and participated in environmental advocacy
and economic development activities across the Southeast.
Although he frequently
becomes involved in an eclectic mix of creative and community-based projects, he works primarily as a producer, director, writer, and
actor in the world of film, television, and theater.
Creative
Career Foundation/Early Life
Anthony's creative
foundation connects to being a trumpet player in the 6th grade at
Belvedere Elementary School. He would continue playing throughout his
teens where he was a part of the symphonic, concert, and marching
bands at Paul Knox Middle School and North Augusta High School.
Upon graduating in 1989,
he joined the United States Navy and went to their Avionics & Advanced Electronics School
in Millington, TN. Graduating number three in his class, he spent
most of his career working as a plane captain at VA-42 at the Naval
Air Station-Oceana, based in Virginia Beach, VA. While there he was
involved in flight deck operations and painted insignia on A-6E
aircraft in their corrosion control division. He spent some time at
sea on board the USS Enterprise & USS Eisenhower aircraft
carriers.
Being stationed
throughout the United States with the military broadened his
understanding of the world and his embrace of humanity. Consequently,
his appetite for interesting people and places grew, which eventually
led him to travel extensively throughout Europe developing his
creative palate.
Education
& Learning
Considering himself a
lifelong student, he earned an Associate's degree from Saint Leo
University and spent a brief
period studying biochemistry at Old Dominion University in
Norfolk, VA.
After
moving to Atlanta, GA, in 1993, he graduated from Georgia State University with four degrees: Accounting, Finance, Theater, and Film and Video Production.
He later completed a
Master's in Business Administration (MBA) at the University of
Phoenix and a certificate program in multi-media arts from
Sessions College of Professional Design.
With a focus on continual
improvement, he is an avid reader and often attends
industry-specific workshops including a
seminar hosted by Hollywood filmmakers: Paul J. Salamoff and
Bill Zahn on producing, directing, and editing.
Anthony rounds out his education by completing an online certificate program at New York University. The Film and TV Essentials course, which was completed in June 2022, offered specialized training in the motion picture and television industries. He is also taking leadership courses at Harvard University and participating in an arts leadership pilot program conducted by Emory University.
Anthony also takes monthly professional development workshops through the Black Economic Council, including such classes as Multi-cam Directing, Producing for Television, and Distribution 101. Recent development classes also include Screenplay Mechanics through the Fulton County Art Council's Professional Development Series.
Anthony is a constant observer and has an intrinsic curiosity about cultures and people from all over the world. His imaginings of the world from his youth have grown into his becoming an authentic actor exhibiting a great deal of sensitivity to each character he portrays.
His film and
television career began in 1993 when he landed a small role in a TV
series called Andre's Place (Heckstall
Media). Although the independent series never made it to the
networks, it marked the beginning of his professional pursuit.
Across his early career as an
actor in film & TV, he has dozens of credits to his name
including a Home Depot
industrial video; a Pri-Med Medical Group
commercial, and a promotional series for Gwinnett County
Parks and Recreation.
Other early
film credits include HBO’s Miss Ever's Boys and Aaron Spelling’s television drama: Savannah. Anthony also appeared in the pilot episode of a scripted Arsenio
Hall comedy co-starring Vivica
A Fox.
Mr. Page has been a part
of several stand-out indie projects including the web series Roommates (Directed
by Jasmine Ballard) and 1000 Bullets (Directed
by Josh Seymour). Other short film highlights include Blood
for Blood (Directed by Michael Hennessy) and he recently completed 1970s-themed short titled: Keep The Engine
Running,
written and directed by Tim Johnson. The film was a 2018 'Official Selection' at the Atlanta ShortsFest and awarded Best Action Film.
Anthony plays Detective Robinson on the set of the spec TV pilot "Angela" with Dusty Harper writer/director of the true-crime drama. |
More recent works include co-starring roles in the films, Angela (a spec TV pilot by Cafe Negro con Limon, 2022), A Train To Nowhere (Nahor Films, 2022), Summer (StorytellHer Productions, 2021), Vanity Vixens (Sankofa One Entertainment, 2021).
Other recent acting projects include The Christians (Thea Casey Media, 2021 - ) which premiered on Sony's Pureflix streaming platform in 2021. He is part of the leading ensemble cast and the production is going into its third season. Other roles include playing a homeless sage in the breakout indie film P.I.G.S. (Spellz Productions, 2022) and he has several projects on the horizon including a supporting role in the forthcoming film Rooted, and is featured in a national print and commercial campaign for Coldwell Banker.
This is a behind-the-scenes photo from Aaron Spells' feature debut film P.I.G.S. Anthony plays the role of a homeless man named Peanut who has a unique view of the world. |
To view a complete list of Anthony's acting history
or to explore additional links, clips, and sizzle reels go to:
or to explore additional links, clips, and sizzle reels go to:
This is one of the character promos for the web series: 1000 Bullets. Anthony played a Haitian drug lord named Genghis Jiles. |
Abstract and Unorthodox. Even though he began his professional career as an actor, he soon discovered that he had a natural gift for directing. He believes this originated in his backyard with his Star Wars and GI Joe action figures and Hot Wheels cars. After watching Saturday morning cartoons, he went out into his backyard and began building worlds with sticks, rocks, and sand and then creating narratives and storylines.
To date he has directed several TV pilots
including The Next Level (Metamorphic Media); RearView
(Omniblue Media); SPARK (Blue Bistro Creative) Prentice
Place (Drew 2 Media Works); Cycles (from
Executive Producer Dr. Marion Myers) and Besties (HeLa House Productions). One of his most successful projects was a short
documentary film titled: Breaking the Silence of the Sonic
Boom.
TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT SHORT DOCUMENTARY, GO TO:
Moving forward with his
passion for directing, he created and executive produced a pilot for
a music-based reality show titled: Sounds of the Underground, with
his producing partners Kenneth “KB” Brown and Trey A. Lewis. This
project was being pitched to major networks and production
companies. The docu-style series included work with a variety of
notable music industry talents including Speech
(2X Grammy Award-winning group: Arrested Development); Rapper Shawty
Lo;
Young Money's R&B Diva: Shanell;
R&B Singer Vedo
(The Voice); Pop Singer: Beth
Spangler
(The Voice) & Urban Pop Sensation: Rod
Michael
(from the European Boy Band: B3).
This is one of the promotional designs used to pitch the show: Sounds of the Underground to the networks. |
TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE PREVIEWS & WEB CONTENT FOR THIS SHOW:
One of his recent films, Remembering Momma was nominated for a HAPA Award in Los Angeles, and wrapped up a 2022 festival tour with several other accolades including a JURY AWARD for BEST SHORT FILM at the International Black and Diversity Film Festival (Toronto); was nominated as BEST SHORT FILM at the Summer in The South Film Festival (Atlanta) and a JARO Short Film Competition Finalist at the Peachtree Village International Film Festival (Atlanta).
"Men in My Bed," an adaptation of an autobiography by Mercurues Ryzen, has been honored with the Best Director Award at the International Black & Diversity Film Festival. It continues its festival journey throughout 2023 and has been chosen as JARO Short Film Competition Finalist in the Peachtree Village International Film Festival.
Mood (2023), an abstract drama that delves into the profound journey of a young woman embracing her entirety, has been named one of the Best Short Films of 2023 by Sheen Magazine, with 40 festival acceptances, including a coveted spot at the Oscar Micheaux Film Festival in Los Angeles.
"Mood" also achieved semi-finalist status in 27 festivals, including the Atlanta Movie Awards, Nashville Independent Film Festival, Oakland Film Festival, Vancouver Independent Moviemaker Awards, St. Louis Film Awards, and the Gulf Coast Film & Video Festival.
'The lead actress received nine Best Actress Awards, and the film won Best Short Film - Mental Health category at the Urban MediaMakers Film Festival (2023); was nominated in the Best Short Film category at the Denver Movie Awards; and was a Finalist at the Bestlov Film Festival (2023).
To view the complete breakout go to
"Mood" was also featured here:
Some of Page's recent work also extends into the world of music. He produced and directed two music videos: "You" by Neo-inspirational artist Moyani and “Amnesia" by R&B/Soul singer Rhonda Rich. He is also the host of a digital series titled: Blue Bistro Spotlight, an Instagram interview show examining the people, and the process of making independent film and TV.
VIDEO LINKS:
To view a complete list of Anthony's producing and directing history
or to explore additional links, clips, and sizzle reels go to:
Other projects in various stages of production include, ...At This Time, an Afro-futuristic drama, where Page serves as co-writer, producer, and director. He is also in the early stages of development on 2 feature films The Deacon and The Seasoning and is producing 2 short films Rooted (written and directed by Tequoia Urbina) and Bi (written by Sid Powell), which both go into production in the summer of 2023.
Anthony has a knack for bringing people and ideas together, which was cultivated by his mother. She was a matriarch among her siblings and was always charged with organizing events for the family, which was very large. Anthony was her helper - setting up tables, taking out the trash, and doing anything that she needed him to do. That seed would grow into his being a very dedicated, hands-on project manager/producer. Anthony's producing skills work in tandem with his career as an actor and director.
Anthony also designed the logo for the network. Watch Interview on 10th and Northside Podcast |
Theater
/ Live Performance
An early concentration of Anthony's professional work centered around the world of theater. With more than 75 productions under his belt, both behind the scenes and on stage, he has established himself as a significant voice in regional theater.
In
his early career, he was cast in several compelling live
productions including Lonne Elder III's Ceremonies in Dark Old
Men (Directed by Whitman Mayo - - Sanford & Son);
Invitation to the Dance (Directed by Dr. Ray Miller); Stormy
Road Onward (Directed by LaVonne Jenkins) and Epic in
Aiken (Directed by Jus Dawa Collibri).
Other
notable roles include his appearance as King Aegeus in the Greek
tragedy Medea and the original play Cud'n Helen
Ain't Got No Color - - both produced by the Black Student
Theater Ensemble at Georgia State University (GSU). He
also participated in an experimental Shakespearean series presented
at GSU by Dr. Frank Miller, where he played Othello and
Henry V.
Mr. Page made his writing / directorial debut with the original stage play: A Voice on the Winds of Change, which premiered at the historic Imperial Theatre in Augusta, GA on October 15, 2004. He would go on to direct several other shows including The Art Factory's Tom Sawyer, Paine College's I Waltzed With God on the Morning of Genesis, and Russell Joel Brown's Mozart to Motown.
While serving as the project manager at the Lucy C. Laney Museum, he produced and co-directed 9 plays that were part of August Wilson's 10-Play Pittsburgh Cycle. Presented works included Jitney, The Piano Lesson, Fences, and 7 Guitars. Done in a hybrid staged-reading / black box theater format, he had the honor of working with Broadway actors Jerome Preston Bates, Russell Joel Brown & D'Reginald Lewis.
Anthony directing Rashonda Martin at the Imperial Theatre for the stage play Unavailable |
Recent
directorial credits include several successful productions
written by i-Heart Radio Personality: Miss Monique LaShon. These
works include Unavailable, Shades of Love, and
Double Lives - - where
he had the honor of working with nationally known figures such as R&B
Singer: Ray Lavender;
Source Magazine
founder & Love & Hip Hop
star Benzino; Actor/Singer
Terrell Carter and actor
Tony Grant
(from Tyler Perry's Love Thy Neighbor).
Other stand-out theater work includes his producing and directing a live sketch comedy series in 2010-2011, called The Augusta Comedy Hour, and a one-act play serial titled: The Blue Series, which is a current part of his company's production activity.
There have been seven distinct 'Blue Series' experiences. The most recent was The Blue Series: Special Women's History Month Edition, which ran from March 14-17, 2019 with six sold-out shows at the Windmill Arts Center in East Point, GA.
Next up Page has partnered with the APEX Museum to bring another series of performances to audiences. Titled The Blue Series: Bridges and Boundaries, it will run from September 14th to 18th, 2022 in the museum's main gallery. The 'Series' will be recorded and available for streaming along with a companion documentary on the APEX Museum's new streaming platform.
This is a promotional graphic from a June 2016 performance in Atlanta, GA in the historic Auburn Avenue district. |
Anthony was the stage manager for the ground-breaking musical American Black Princess directed by Patdro Harris. The show debit at the Rialto Center for the Arts on September 14, 2019.
Anthony is planning a regional tour for his ground-breaking new stage play: Somewhere in Summerville, which will begin production in the summer/fall of 2023. Somewhere in Summerville was a runner-up for Best in Show at the 2018 Atlanta Black Theatre Festival.
To get more details on Somewhere in Summerville go to:
Visual
Arts
Mr. Page's journey in the
realm of visual arts began in 1997 when he produced arts events
throughout the city of Atlanta in premiere locations such as The
Shark Bar; Sean P-Diddy Combs' restaurant Justin's,
and across the campus of Georgia State University. He was able
to attract a variety of nationally known artists: including Kevin
A. Williams (WAK Arts); Gerald Ivey, Samuel Guilford, Dr. Chouaieb
Saidi, Marcella Muhammad, Margaret Warfield, and Charly Carlos
Palmer.
He would later go on to be a curator for the first-ever art exhibition that celebrated the life of
James Brown during the summer of 2006. The art show titled, Visual
Soul, included nearly 100 artists from more
than 50 cities covering five continents. This world-class exhibition
was a part of the James Brown “Soul of America” Music Festival
in Augusta, GA.
In 2010 Anthony served as a project manager & co-curator for the Nina Simone Experience,
which celebrated the life of the music icon through a variety of art
forms including song, spoken word poetry, and visual art. The visual art component
included world-class artists such as Cynthia St James, Jonathan
Green, Paul Goodnight, and a special selection painted by a legendary actor: Billy D. Williams.
During his tenure at the
Laney Museum, he won a state-wide competition from the organization called Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries for
curating an art show titled: Symbiosis,
which challenged an eclectic mix of visual artists to integrate exotic
insect specimens into their work.
This was a painting done by a world-renowned visual artist: Jonathan Green. This painting was perhaps the most coveted piece in the entire Nina Simone Experience. |
Anthony
continues to be involved in visual arts as a collector with more than
150 paintings, photography, and sculpture as a part of his personal collection.
Activism
& Advocacy
Anthony has spent most of
his adult life in pursuit of creative excellence but has also jumped
at opportunities to effect positive change within the community. He
developed an initiative called Augusta Renaissance in 2006 to build
the arts community in Augusta. The organization was a meaningful part
of many activities within the community and produced many well-known
events including the Butterfly Effect, initiated
the Links to My Legacy Mentoring Program, and produced the Annual Sister CEO Week for
5 years. Much of the Augusta Renaissance activity has now
become a part of the CSRA African American Arts Alliance, and other advocacy-centered activities.
This is a promotional graphic used to promote the 3rd Annual Sister CEO Week in Augusta, GA. |
Anthony also developed
groundbreaking community initiatives such as Foundations (a
Youth MBA Program) and Eco-Lennium - - an environmental
initiative designed to stimulate urban interest in protecting the
natural world.
Most
of his advocacy efforts now center on building the voice and presence
of African-American content creators in the realm of film, TV, and
theater. To that end, he maintains an online magazine platform
called, Abstract Echoes, which
highlights emerging professionals across the spectrum of cinema,
television, and theater.
HERE'S A LINK TO ABSTRACT ECHOES - OUR ONLINE ADVOCACY MAGAZINE & SELECT ARTICLES:
Abstract Echoes
Abstract Echoes
Page joined Adiclere Evans in the co-founding of the Black Entertainment Economic Council - a non-profit organization working to create more equity in the TV/film industry. He also began laying the groundwork for an innovative actors training initiative called The Studio Blue Acting Conservatory.
Photography
& Design
Mr. Page has also
expanded his creative cosmos to include photography and graphic
design. It initially began as a means to improve the quality of his
company's projects but has expanded as others
began to recognize his talents.
This promo was photographed and designed for the pilot episode of Sounds of the Underground - - shot on location in Atlanta at R&B Singer Vedo's 1st music video shoot. |
This promo was photographed and designed for the stage play Unavailable. The cast was on location at the NBC affiliate in Augusta, GA doing an on-air interview. |
This promo was photographed and designed for Blue Bistro Creative's branding campaign. Shot in the historic Auburn Avenue district in Atlanta, GA |
This was designed for the legendary gospel quartet: The Dynamic Abraham brothers |
This is a production still from the 1970s-themed short film titled: Keep The Engine Running. |
This is a production still from the 1970s-themed short film titled: Keep The Engine Running. |
This is a production still from the 1970s-themed short film titled: Keep The Engine Running. |
This is a highlight design for the 3rd Annual Hair & Fashion Extravaganza in Augusta, GA. |
This was a design completed for a musician who added music for the score on the TV pilot: Prentice Place |
This design was created after the stage play: Double Lives. |
This photo & design project was completed for Jamaican singer: Jae Hemmings |
This is one of our branding promos released in 2017 |
This was completed for Atlanta-based Spoken Word Artist: Abstract C.I.M, who is being touted as a "voice of her generation." |
This was one of the final promotional posters for the TV pilot: Sounds of the Underground. |
This is one in a series of promos we did for Van Miller International,
an independent fashion house in Atlanta, GA
This is one in a series of promos we did for Van Miller International,
an independent fashion house in Atlanta, GA
TO SEE MORE OF ANTHONY'S PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN WORK GO TO:
Photography & Design Portfolio (MARCH - MAY 2016)
Photography & Design Portfolio (JUNE - AUGUST 2016)
Photography & Design Portfolio (JUNE - AUGUST 2016)
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A Complete Look at Anthony's Background
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Advocacy Pages
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Blue Bistro Creative - Company Pages
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Social Media Handles
Mr. Anthony R. Page you have a very impressive resume and website.
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