Conversations with the Inspiring Maya Ferrario

Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Ferrario.

Maya, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After moving to Denver the summer after graduation, I started to work freelance in commercials and film. I started as a PA and after about a year, started producing my own short films. Soon after I realized that I was pretty good at organizing and getting shots in order, so I challenged myself to become a production manager and assistant director. I’m always learning and growing, and being involved as an AD has helped me learn more about myself; It has helped me give permission to myself to flourish and figure out who I am and how to get work done quickly and efficiently.

I’ve been acting since I was in high school, and have always loved it. When I moved to Denver I took a break in order to build my production career. After digging back in and starting to audition again a year and a half ago, I am grateful to have been cast in a little bit of everything – contemporary, Shakespeare, divised theatre, commercials, short films, etc.

At this point, working in these two fields fulfills both sides of my brain, and keeps me occupied, busy, and extremely happy.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Working in film and as an AD, especially as a woman, can be very difficult. Even though there are a growing number of women in this industry, it is still a very male-dominated field.  Even though it’s male-dominated field, I am proud to surround myself with crew members who have an open mind and recognize talent in the field regardless of gender.  It only takes a couple hours on set for people to know I am a professional and know what I’m doing no matter my gender.   I am so grateful to have been able to follow in the footsteps of the strong women who have led the film industry in Denver.

It’s also pretty challenging as a woman to break into a field where the job is to keep everyone on task and to never be the nice guy. I am met constantly with the double standards of being mean vs. doing my job. I’ve had to grow a lot and learn to love that the person I am as an AD so that others can love and enjoy that person as well!

To any young woman who wants to work in a field that doesn’t always show the “prettier” parts of you – do it. You will find these dark, beautiful, strong parts of you that you might not have found otherwise. Keep creating. Keep pushing your art & your craft.

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I currently work as an AD on commercials, web ads, short films, and feature-length films, as well as acting both on stage, and in front of the camera.

As an actor, I like that I am very adaptable, not only to the individual situations I am put in but also being able to take direction well and find my truth in the story. I think one of my specialties in acting is in new work. A lot of my roles since moving to Denver have been short films and world premieres of plays. Acting is my first love, and so to be able to be fairly successful and cast-able so early in my professional acting career makes me extremely proud.

As an AD, I specialize in narrative work. I am passionate about telling stories that haven’t been told yet. I truly think that people hire me for two reasons – my stamina and the way I think outside of the box to come up with solutions – and continue to hire me because of my attitude.  Because of this, I get an extraordinary amount of repeat clients, directors, producers.

What sets me apart as both an AD and an actor is my love for working hard and doing what it takes to get the job done. For trying new things, always being open to learning, and being able to problem solve, while thinking about things in a different way.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
I would say the most important piece of advice would be to try everything. I didn’t know I wanted to be an AD immediately, or that I wanted to continue to act. Try and try and try again. Try everything. As a good friend of mine once reminded me, “If it were easy, it wouldn’t be fun.” Have fun, work hard, and kick ass.

Contact Info:

• Email: mayaferrario@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/purrario/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MAYAferrario

Image Credit:
Aidan Sean McCarthy, Jeremy Rill Photography, Ten Eyck Visuals, Ashley Hamm Photography

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