Creative editorial company Beast has hired executive producer Astrid Downs to oversee projects for its Santa Monica office. Downs’ experience spans production and postproduction for over a decade.
“Astrid’s roots are in production, so she has a deep understanding of what clients want and need from a post service provider. She also knows how all the various pieces of the post workflow fit together beyond editorial, which will help streamline projects for clients,” said Valerie Petrusson, president, Beast.
“Having known Valerie and the Beast crew for awhile, I’m already familiar with their friendly and creative ethos, said Downs. “Beast is still the approachable boutique powerhouse from its independent days, and now also has the power to tap into Deluxe’s considerable resources. We have the flexibility to take on projects of any size and I look forward to working with a broad spectrum of clients.”
Downs began her career serving as a line producer for a production company specializing in the Hispanic market. She then transitioned to working with Where’s the Board and WTB Interactive for nearly eight years, a role in which she represented a wide range of companies including Beast, Chelsea, Arsenal FX, Backyard, Machine Head and Digital Kitchen. Next she served as executive producer and head of sales at Bully Pictures, where she helped expand the production company’s client list. Most recently, Downs headed up the commercial division of MRB Production, handling everything from sales and bidding to composing treatments and director reels.
