Rising Stars: Meet Peter Mackie of West Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Peter Mackie.

Hi Peter, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am originally from Wisconsin. I moved to LA in 2010 to study film scoring at USC, but I dropped out after a semester to pursue my filmmaking ambitions. Since then, I have made close to a dozen short films (some which are very expensive and larger in scale, and others that cost next to nothing that I made for fun, all with the same passion and intensity/dedication for the craft).

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In some ways the road has always pointed in the same direction: toward making art and trying to understand myself and the world we live in. I was composing music and editing little short films when I was a teenager, and now I’m 37 and I’m still making short films and dabbling in music. So in that sense, I’ve had a consistent creative/spiritual path. But has it been smooth? One of the biggest struggles in my life has been managing my mental health, combatting the self sabotage and worries/fears that hold one back. It wasn’t until 2021, just after the birth of my daughter, that I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. And then a few years after that came the realization that I also have depression. It was eye-opening to learn these things, to be able to put a label to them. Through CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), group therapy, psychedelics, journaling, antidepressants (which took some trial and error and a leap of faith), diet and exercise, and living a more conscious lifestyle, I’ve been able to drastically reduce the symptoms and daily struggles that comes with such debilitating terrain. (I also started acting in 2024 and that has been tremendously helpful for my self growth and personal/creative accountability.)

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a writer, director, producer, and editor of short films, which range from cinematic dark comedies (Sergey’s Fortune, Panofsky’s Complaint, For Annabelle) to grounded, everyday/dramatic stories (Cineastes, Tank Commander, Love Itself). I think the through-line in all my work is a deep commitment to the craft, to telling the story as precisely and detailedly as possible. I care about everything on screen as it relates to telling the story, so in that sense I would be considered an “auteur” — although in my humble estimation, I see myself more as a farm-to-table chef, curating a very specific cinematic experience using locally-sourced/hand-picked collaborators, locations, props, etc. I don’t think there is anything generic about any of my work; they are very much me. Refined, yet idiosyncratic in their tastes. I can’t say I’ve made a perfect film, but I can say I’ve put every ounce of me in them. So in that sense, I am proud of my renewed commitment and stubbornness when it comes to “getting my way.” That said, I consider myself a generous, open collaborator. I am very proud of the relationships that I’ve made over the years — my friends Ernesto, Dhruv, Kseniya, Yorgos, Vinny, Nick, Diahann, the list goes on — talented artists and producers who absolutely elevate every project and bring out the best in me. What sets me apart…? I believe everyone is unique and special and has their own stories and perspective; as long as I am true to myself and do my best, it will set me apart.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think I’ll defer to Abraham Lincoln on this one: better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt. (Let’s just say I have some strong opinions and would rather not say them out loud.)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cinetone.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptrmackie
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PeterMackieFilm
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0533523