The A-List | Our Bios
PETER RAFALOW BARBARA COKUS
Peter Rafalow - president, senior editor
Peter has worked in the video production industry for over 28 years, but he knew in high school that working in television was what he wanted to do for a living. After producing a daily school information show in a northern California high school, he attended San Francisco State University and received a BA degree in Broadcast Communications Arts. During that time as a student, Peter also held two different paid positions within the University producing campus-wide programming.
After college, he became Director of Community Programming for Viacom Cable in Marin County, California. While there, he created a wide array of innovative programming, some of which was distributed throughout the Viacom network of cable systems. This programming included public affairs, documentaries and entertainment series and reached well over one-half million viewers each week. Peter earned 4 national Cable ACE awards during this time for Excellence in Cable Programming.
After meeting the woman of his dreams, Peter relocated to Washington, DC. There he began his married life and his new job in suburban Virginia. He was in charge of production for an entertainment pay service featuring movies, specials and Baltimore Orioles baseball home games. His responsibilities included overseeing television station operations in Washington, DC and Baltimore, as well as producing a series of Baltimore Orioles baseball games live to regional viewers.
Peter relocated to Syracuse (his wife’s hometown) and became senior editor at a production facility there. During his 16 years there, he polished his high-end editing skills, along with earning an Emmy award and countless team Telly and Syracuse Ad Club awards. This experience helped him to combine these skills along with his long-term goal of starting his own high-end television production company to better serve the needs of his clients
In January of 2003, he opened Notion Pictures and began to build a facility and staff that reflected his commitment to the highest level of customer service and technical expertise not seen in the Central New York market. November of 2003 saw the opening of a state-of-the-art production facility as well as the addition of two of the most talented business colleagues in the region. “I had wanted the opportunity to work with clients in all areas of their productions and this move enabled me to fulfill that goal. Editing is my first love, but directing has always been a passion of mine, too. Now I can also express that creative side from time to time.”
Peter has been working in the field of television production since 1974 and his interest in the latest technology and techniques has only grown stronger. He shares that excitement and love of technology with the next generation of production talent as an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s School of Visual & Performing Arts. And, not one to be outdone on the culinary circuit, Peter also dishes up a helping hand as an amateur chef at the Mental Health Association’s annual “Men Who Cook” fundraiser. An avid armchair quarterback, be prepared to defend your turf and your team in his presence -– he’s strategically armed with stats to back him up.
PETER RAFALOW BARBARA COKUS
