Anthony N. Galizia Sr. is Vice President and Partner at Meta4 Creative Media, LLC. The team at Meta4 Creative Media creates multi-platform, original content in all genres of both fiction and non-fiction feature film and television, as well as reality television and commercial advertisement.

Before co-creating and partnering in Meta4 Creative Media, Mr. Galizia became Chief Executive Officer, Partner, and one of three in a team of writers at Area 14 Productions, LLC, a company he co-created in 2012 with partners Danny Klapadoras and Albury Burrows, until the company’s dissolution in late 2017.

Prior to that, Mr. Galizia was Production Manager and Supporting Actor at Jerico Pictures’ production of “The Handymen,” a proposed television sitcom pilot. Mr. Galizia is also Partner, Producer, Contributing Writer, and Production Manager at Shadowglade, LLC, co-creating “Shadowglade,” a television series and proposed feature film, recognized and chosen as an entry into the 2015 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

Mr. Galizia co-created and became Vice President of Meta4 Creative Media, LLC, in 2016 with partner Danny Klapadoras, dedicating themselves to creating superior, original content.

How many years have you been a judge?

5+

What excited you about judging for the Telly Awards?

Being a Telly Awards judge offers the exciting opportunity to discover new and innovative content across all screens. It provides a high-level view of the video industry’s latest trends and allows judges to help promote exceptional new talent based on a fair, unbiased rubric. The chance to discover impactful, authentic stories that push creative and technological boundaries is particularly rewarding.

What was your first job in the industry? What did it teach you?

I was a Production Assistant on a pilot shoot for a potential TV series called Shadowglade, which taught me that a strong work ethic, long hours, and demanding tasks are the norm, and that the stamina and commitment required to get the job done are essential.

What project are you most proud to have worked on?

Although we have several completed projects, including one that has won a Bronze Telly Award, which we are very proud of, the project I am most proud of is our recently released full-length crime/comedy film, “The Hitmen,” which is now available on many streaming services including Prime Video and Tubi.

What’s the most challenging part about your job and/or the industry?

The most challenging part about my job is accepting constant judgment and feedback, knowing that our work will be constantly critiqued, corrected, and scrutinized. Learning to handle rejection and feedback with grace, even when it is harsh or humiliating, is a critical test of our resilience.

The most challenging part about the industry is that the sheer number of people hoping to get a foot in the door creates intense competition. The massive number of aspiring filmmakers, extreme financial instability, and the emotional toll of a relentless, high-pressure environment where reputation is everything are the most challenging aspects of the industry.

What do you look for to determine excellence in video?

My determination of excellence in a video involves evaluating both the technical aspects of its production and the effectiveness of its content. I believe that a video that is high-quality in both execution and purpose will successfully engage its audience.

What are your current roles and responsibilities and what do you love most about your job?

Vice President, Partner, Director, and Producer at Meta4 Creative Media, LLC, overseeing all aspects of production including budget, creation, development, writing, editing, talent acquisition, directing, producing, marketing, and client relations.

What initiatives or projects are you working on now that excite you?

Meta4 Creative Media is currently working on several initiatives that include a large tent-pole production film franchise project in partnership with a production company in the United Kingdom, and several projects in development including an intense full-length horror film.

Do you have any specific practices you lean on to spark creativity?

I have two basic practices when it comes to sparking creativity. I believe in putting every thought, idea, premise, vision, and scenario on paper, regardless of redundancy, then sorting and piecing the story together and omitting the unnecessary. My other practice is to never close any doors—every opportunity should at least be considered and evaluated carefully. Not every opportunity is a good fit, so it’s wise to weigh the pros and cons.

What inspired you to pursue your career path?

Actually, I was most inspired by the encouragement of my family and my business partner, Danny Klapadoras, and their belief in my drive, determination, commitment, and ability to follow this path.

In your experience, what is a significant change you are seeing happen in the video, television, and/or film industry, and what insight can you share about how to navigate it?

A significant and ongoing change in the video, television, and film industry is the fragmentation of both content creation and audience attention, driven by the rise of streaming, social video, and on-demand content.

I think in order to thrive in this environment, creators and companies must adopt a diversified, audience-centric, and tech-savvy approach, like creating bundles and hybrid models, optimizing for multiple platforms, focusing on niche and global content, and enhancing the live and theatrical experience.