Mary Beth McAndrews is currently a Digital and Communications Specialist for the Humane Rescue Alliance, Washington, D.C.'s only open access shelter. She creates video content that highlights adoptable animals, as well as HRA's various community programs.

She is also a horror journalist with a focus on found footage, rape-revenge films, and gender representation in the genre. She has bylines online and in print for outlets such as Polygon, Ebert Voices, Bloody Disgusting, Bitch Mag, Daily Grindhouse, Grim Magazine, and Girls on Tops. Her essays have appeared in Second Sight's Blu-ray releases of Revenge and The Strangers. She is also the co-host of the Scarred For Life podcast where she and her co-host Terry talk to members of the horror community about the films that scared them as kids. 

Previously, she worked for National Geographic and Discovery Communications in social and digital media. She received her Master's of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in 2019. While there, she focused on cinema and media studies and gender studies. When she's not writing, she's scouring the Internet for the next weird horror movie to watch or bothering her cat, Zucchini. ​

AWARDS

• Finalist, Ellie Awards 2019, At 18, She Survived a Suicide Attempt. Hear What She Has to Say

PRESENTATIONS

• Otakon 2018, The Horrors of Junji Ito
• Katsucon 2018, Satoshi Kon and the Dangers of Technological Fantasy

SKILLS

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects)
• Podcast production (Audacity, Cast)
• Email newsletter strategy (MailChimp)
• ​Social media strategy (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat)
• Google Analytics
• CMS Management (WordPress)
• Social media management software (Spredfast, Hootsuite, Sprout)
• Copy writing and editing

EXPERIENCE

Digital and Communications Specialist, Humane Rescue Alliance
October 2019-present

• Produces, shoots, and edits video content about adoptable animals and community programs
• Manages social platforms to inform our supports and donors about the life-saving work done on a daily basis
• Assists in bringing in tens of thousands of dollars from donors via social media
• Collaborates with key stakeholders and contractors to make social content that aligns with the organization's mission​
• Audio producer for The Alliance podcast, a podcast focused on discussions with leadership throughout animal welfare.

Freelance Writer and Editor
2016-present

• ​​Editor for the #Crucial21DbW initiative, working with writers around the world to construct blog posts about films by women in the 21st century 
• Bylines in both online and print publications, such as Polygon, Ebert Voices, Bloody Disgusting, Bitch Mag, Grim Magazine, and Girls On Tops
• Essays published as part of Second Sight's special edition Blu-ray releases.

Senior Contributor, Nightmare on Film Street
July 2018-August 2020

• Wrote three monthly horror columns, as well as longer editorials, interviews, and reviews

Senior Editor, Much Ado About Cinema
May 2018-February 2020

• Wrote reviews and longer film essays
• Worked with staff and guest writers to edit reviews and film essays and assists with site upkeep

​Video Editing Intern, Media Burn Independent Archive 
​September 2018-June 2019

• Edited archival video content for social media accounts, weekly blog posts, and email newsletters
• ​Created trailers to promote monthly events 

Edition Editor, National Geographic
March 2017 - August 2018

• ​Led a team of producers and designers on the daily production of National Geographic's Snapchat Discover Channel

Associate Digital Producer, Discovery Communications
May 2015 - March 2017

• Created and implemented social and digital strategies for various TV shows and larger tentpole projects​