Maria Silver

Maria Silver Email and Phone Number

Head of Production
Maria Silver's Location
New York, New York, United States, United States
About Maria Silver

As President of Optomen Productions, I led one of the most successful, nonfiction production companies over the last ten years. Together with the team I assembled, we created thousands of hours of hit series, including “Worst Cooks in America” (20 seasons on Food Network), “Mysteries at The Museum (23 seasons on Travel Channel), “Monsters Inside Me” (8 seasons on Animal Planet) and “When Sharks Attack” (6 seasons on NatGeo). My career also includes leadership roles at BBC Production and World of Wonder. Whether you need strategic positioning, new business development, organizational restructuring, or operational overhauls, I bring hands-on experience and the relationships required to produce winning results. I’m a motivational, people manager and a strong negotiator. I drive high profit margins, whilst maintaining high production quality. I forge strong relationships with creatives, executives and on-air talent. I’m experienced in producing shows in multiple genres including reality, competition, documentary, game, recreations, specials and live events. I served on the Board of Directors of NPACT from 2017-2020, the trade association for nonfiction production companies and was honored by Cablefax as one of the “most powerful women” in 2019.

Maria Silver's Current Company Details

Head of Production
Maria Silver Work Experience Details
  • Optomen Productions
    President
    Optomen Productions 2010 - 2020
    New York, New York, United States
    Consistently out-performed with year-on-year growth at the company, leading a team of up to 250 employees and freelancers producing a long-running hit series across multiple networks. My role required executive planning and leadership on all projects from concept through delivery, full P&L responsibility for the company, Business and Legal Affairs management and contract negotiation, production and post-production logistics and operations, and oversight of HR, Labor law, union, and insurance issues. Managed offices in both NY and LA, reporting to headquarters in London. Concurrently, oversaw the US operations of One Potato Two Potato and spearheaded growth by creating co-production opportunities with third parties such as Jane Street Entertainment. Notable series include:- “Worst Cooks in America” (20 seasons on Food Network).- “Mysteries at the Museum” (23 seasons on Travel Channel). - “Monsters Inside Me” (8 seasons on Animal Plant). - “When Sharks Attack” (6 seasons on NatGeo). - “Buddy vs. Duff,” highest-rated show on Food Network in 2019. - “Scorned: Love Kills” (6 seasons) for Investigation Discovery Network.- “The Employables” for A&E.- “Hotel Hell” on Fox. - “Best New Restaurant” on Bravo.Our original series, “Worst Cooks in America” and “Buddy vs. Duff” are still on the air at Food Network and “When Sharks Attack” is still in production at NatGeo.
  • Optomen Productions
    Executive In Charge Of Production
    Optomen Productions 2005 - 2010
    Collaborated with then President and the UK parent company to grow the US slate and win new business. Created budgets and schedules, and managed all aspects of production for various multi-million-dollar series including:- “Samantha Brown’s Great Weekends” (3 seasons) Travel Channel. - “Most Evil” (3 seasons) Discovery. - “Evolve” (Emmy nominated) History Channel.
  • Bbc
    Executive In Charge Of Production
    Bbc 2002 - 2005
    New York, New York, United States
    Set up NY production office and produced series through joint venture between BBC and Discovery including:- “What Not to Wear” and “While You Were Out” for TLC.- “Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends” (1999).- “The Big One,” a documentary film by Michael Moore (1997).
  • World Of Wonder
    Head Of Production
    World Of Wonder 2000 - 2001
    New York, NY (1991 – 1994) | London, UK (2000 – 2001)This international entertainment company creates groundbreaking innovative feature films and original series, founded by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey.- Managed the company’s first original series, “Manhattan Cable.”- Managed production of music videos for RuPaul.- “Shock Video” for HBO.- Co-producer of the documentary film, “Party Monster” (1998).

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Maria Silver's current role is Head of Production.

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