Award-winning film and TV producer Mary Anne Waterhouse started out in the theatre, treading the boards at Fraser Valley College as an acting student in 1984. She had her sights set on a career as an actor, but after transferring to the University of British Columbia in 1986, she had an epiphany that changed her direction.

“There would be 20 of us all trying out for the same lead in a play,” she recalls. “We were all going for the same part, but there was nobody, like literally not one person who wanted to stage manage or run front of house. Everybody wanted to be the actors, and I was like, ‘Huh? I like those things.’”

In a Film 101 course, she learned about a variety of jobs – including producing.

“I remember when the professor talked about the skills required and what the job entailed, and it was like my ‘eureka’ moment. Like, ‘That’s it. That’s the thing.’”

Producing felt like the perfect fit for someone who loves problem-solving, storytelling, and working as part of a team. After graduating with a BA in Film, Theatre and Commerce, she worked at multiple production companies and is now enjoying the creative freedom of freelance producing in Toronto.

“I’m very, very conscious about the movies or TV that I work on in terms of what we’re saying to the world.”

With TV and film’s wide reach and audience, producing also provides an opportunity to affect positive social change.

“Even things that are for entertainment purposes, they’re still saying something. You’re getting into people’s psyches. You don’t have to be didactic to do so, but you can still plant a seed of thought. I’m very, very conscious about the movies or TV that I work on in terms of what we’re saying to the world.”

Some of her work includes Fido, Kodachrome, Cabin in the Woods, 13 the Musical, and Fear Street. Most recently, she produced The Invisibles, an independent feature she worked on with her husband Andrew Currie.

Her productions allow others to envision another world – for example, one where sustainability is normalized and a part of everyday life.

“I’m excited to look at what else I can do at this juncture in my career to actually make a difference.”

Mary Anne is a passionate environmental advocate and spokesperson in her industry for reducing waste and fuel consumption. She works with Second Harvest, the largest food rescue charity in Canada, and co-founded a food bank in her community called Bloor West Food Bank. Building on her established skills as a leader, she’s currently earning a Public Leadership Credential at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

“It’s what they call ‘adaptive leadership,’ being a leader in times of change when answers aren’t necessarily known. I think it’s really applicable to the world that we’re in right now. I’m excited to look at what else I can do at this juncture in my career to actually make a difference.”

As she reflects on her career and all that lies ahead, she says, “I love what I do. I love making movies, but I ultimately want to make a difference and leave the world a little better.”