I’m Mary Peterson, and I live in Seattle. If you have questions, please email me at Mary@MaryJPeterson.com or use my Contact page. Looking forward to hearing from you!
What did you do in Hollywood?
I was a story analyst, aka script analyst, for ITC Productions in Studio City as a freelancer. They would give me a script or a book manuscript. I would write a review and critique its potential as a film or television production. It was a great experience. I kept studying what makes a good script and developed skills that I apply to my video work today.
Tell me about your experience as a producer.
I produce videos for your nonprofit or businesses. The short story is I love international relief and development work. I was on staff at World Concern and felt video was the key to better fundraising. So I combined my knowledge of fundraising with my skills in video production, and launched into freelancing. I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years. I’ve produced videos for small nonprofits in Seattle and large international humanitarian agencies. My video shoots have taken me around the world.
Specific video skills: In video productions I serve as producer, writer and editor. Often I’m also the videographer, and when needed I bring in other video shooters.
What’s your training?
I earned my bachelor degree in communication arts: broadcast journalism, at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington.
But I keep on learning.
I’ve taken classes at UCLA and the American Film Institute. I attended the NPPA Workshop in Norman, Oklahoma. (I can heartily recommend the workshop for anyone wanting to sharpen their video and storytelling skills.)
I have also earned Graduate Certificates in Film and Video, and in Marketing Management from the University of Washington, Seattle.
What is unique about you as a producer?
My strength is in using video to change your audience. It could be a change in attitude, bringing new knowledge or motivating people to take an action. I’m always studying what makes us tick, and how to communicate so we move people. There’s an art and science to this. I help you craft messages using skills in strategic communications, with a focus on storytelling to humanize subjects.
Another area where I’m especially strong is production management — I love organizing complex video projects.
I have a rock solid record of meeting client’s messaging goals, managing complex video assignments, and bringing projects in on time and on budget.
How much does it cost to make a video?
It depends on what you need, how many days of video shooting, the length of your video, if you need to record narration, amount of music and the complexity of your project. There are ways of keeping costs down. Please email me via my Contact page and I can give you an estimate.
