Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lydia Peterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lydia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
One of the most meaningful things I’ve worked on was a feature film that I wrote, produced, and directed in 2019. I knew that I loved story telling early on, and as I explored this fascination it led me to directing. As a fresh-out-of-college twenty something I had zero resources and no screenplay, just a head full of ideas, a group of friends, and zealous youthful ambition. I set about doing simple google searches “how to write a screenplay?” “What software should I use?” “How to make a movie?” “How do you find actors?” The answers were all lofty, mystifying, and unclear and they all seemed to require a small fortune to execute. The writing was the easier bit and came naturally and before long I did have a screenplay. After a few special conversations with talented friends, I amassed a small crew. We drew up a casting call and then we had actors. We fundraised a small sum and charged the rest to credit cards. The gear was rented, and the two-week production schedule solidified. Shooting was an incredible experience that all the descriptive words would fail to fully explain. The final hurdle came in the height of COVID when I couldn’t work and paying back the fees involved with creating a film had me reeling and driving for Grubhub to make ends meet. When things were hard, I did not give up but persevered and before long, I had a completed feature film. This film was accepted at film festivals and played on the silver screen. A feat and a testament to having big dreams and having the courage to chase them. The film’s biggest moment of impact for me, however, happened long before distributors came along and long before the premiere. It was the moment the lead actress of our film whispered during a hug, her gratitude for providing her the opportunity to experience this and for believing in her enough to trust her with the leading role. I now know the power in finding my voice and how belief in the power of that dream and that voice can be a vital moment of influence for others to do the same.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Lydia I’m a director, videographer, editor, and small production company owner. I got into the business by following my curiosity and eventually passion. Early on it was clear that I loved to write. The story and the act of storytelling captivated me and in those early days nothing was left unexplored. I wrote full length novels, essays, poems and journals some published others left to the recesses of my dusty notebooks. That wasn’t the only think I found myself interested in however, and I pushed myself to explore with open curiosity. I played sports (basketball, T&F, Softball, Gymnastics, Diving). I loved music. I played guitar in a band that travelled around the tristate area. When the real world came calling in college, I turned my passions into a legitimate major choice in Media Studies and Production in the Communications department where my fascinations and practical skills flourished. I fell in love with the camera, being behind it, capturing the frames that make up the scenes that put together a story. Whether it be in sports, music, or dramatization all my interests seemed to culminate behind the camera for me and boom, that’s how I knew what I was supposed to be doing. After this epiphany I threw myself wholeheartedly into it. I found a camera man at a basketball game I was at and told him I “wanted to do what he did”. Fortunately for me he took me seriously and got me shadowing in the field. Those connections led to my first job out of college for an MLB team. The contacts from that job led me to my next NBA, NHL, ESPN, and NFL jobs. Whilst working for these companies I also started my own production company and proceeded to work with clients and create my own original content. It has been a wild ride, but I am still following my curiosity and continually pushing for ways to grow, learn and create.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I think I would have had different answers to this question at different points in my life. At an earlier stage I would’ve said my goal was to diversify the film industry to bring to light stories that reflect my experience, and the experiences of people like me. As a woman and a minority living in America there is certainly room for growth in the amplifying of those voices in the film industry and as filmmakers, within casts and crews. Now, although those things are still important to me, I think my instincts about my creative journey are more primal in nature. The joy of creating, the joy of creating an environment where out of the process something beautiful can emerge has, of late, been my focus. The act of creating has become more of the destination than a journey for me and finding new ways to be inspired and embrace that creativity is something that drives me to create. The results may very well be that I “diversify the film industry and bring to light stories that reflect my experiences and the experiences of people like me” but the goal is the joy in the act of creating in and of itself. In that way I believe the highs are never too high and the lows never too low. I simply create because I was created to, and I love it.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
As a production company owner, I employ two strategies for my business. The first and most important: Do impeccable work. This includes being completely present and engaged in the process with the client and then delivering a stellar product to conclude your contractual obligations. This bleeds into the second strategy which is word of mouth referrals. When your work is excellent, and the client has a wonderful experience you will be referred to other clients. Rinse and repeat.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lidproductions.com
- Instagram: @directherlid
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiapeterson/
Image Credits
Rian Watkins
Luke Brubaker
Stephan Sanchez
Denis Kennedy
Allen Johnson
Chandra Jones