Before the days of widely publicized independent films, moviemaking seemed like something done in a far away place by people you never see. Instead Mary became involved in theatre after being cast in a play, MOVES (1983) at Lancaster's Independent Eye Theater. Mary also appeared on the stage of the Fulton Opera House and York Little Theater and soon became active behind the scenes, learning lighting, sound and stage managing. Meanwhile she landed a broadcasting job on air in a tiny radio station WNZT and appeared on local cable television as a tennis color commentator.

Mary impulsively stopped by WGAL-TV one day with ideas for new programs. The program director was gracious enough to meet with her and suggested she consider auditioning for host of an upcoming program SUSQUEHANNA PEOPLE ('86). Mary was more interested in work behind the camera but auditioned anyway and landed the job. For 3 years she hosted, edited and helped to produce the half hour weekly local interest program. She interviewed celebrities including Michael Landon, Carroll O'Connor, Jay Leno, Winton Marsalis and Billie Jean King.

On assignment for WGAL Mary interviewed and met musician and composer Michele Mercure who had experience crewing and composing for independent films. They teamed up in creating a series of short subject films and Mary left channel 8 knowing she had found her life's work. HAVERSTICK FILMS was founded in 1989 and continues to be the venue for both Mary and Michele's creativity.

After leaving WGAL Mary enrolled in Temple's graduate film program but after a few weeks realized her broadcast responsibilities made film school seem sluggish, so she decided to put herself thru her own version of film school by writing and directing 5 short films, with increasing degrees of difficulty (see early short films). The most involved of these LANCASTER COUNTY 2020 is a futuristic black comedy where Lancaster's farms are indoors and the Amish are so scarce they are stalked by tourists. It made it's premiere at the U.S. Environmental Film Festival in 1989.

"Mary Haverstick's SHADES OF BLACK ('91) is an exceptionally impressive debut feature!" was the word from the Los Angeles Times on her first full length motion picture. With a shoestring budget and a band of local volunteers Mary managed to get a U.S. theatrical release, international film festival play and international distribution for this intriguing psychological drama. Her follow-up feature CHRISTMAS DINNER('96) made it's world premiere at the Brooklyn Film Festival and explored two contrasting holiday worlds, one black one white. On both features Mary was writer/director and also notably cinematographer and editor.

Immediately after the completion of CHRISTMAS DINNER Mary took time away from the demands of feature filmmaking to caregive for her mother and father. During this time and after their passings, Mary focused on commercial work creating countless promotional videos, national and regional television commercials, music videos and commissioned documentaries. 2005 marked Mary's return to feature length filmmaking with PARADISE PENNSYLVANIA, a long form documentary feature which will be several years in the making.

2006 was a landmark year for Mary so far with the production of her third dramatic feature film HOME which is now wrapped and in post production. HOME features an amazing cast starring MARCIA GAY HARDEN, EULALA SCHEEL, MARIAN SELDES and MICHAEL GASTON. Producing the project independently with a Lancaster based producing team including MICHELE MERCURE, CHAD TAYLOR and DONNA STYER, Haverstick Films looks to premiere this film in early 2007.