Donald William Peterman was born in Los Angeles, on January 3, 1932.[1] He graduated from Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach, California, before serving in the United States Army during the early 1950s.[1] Peterman began shooting documentaries for the U.S. Army during his time in the service.
Peterman began his professional career as a clapper loader for Hal Roach Studios at the age of 22 after leaving the U.S. Army.[1][2] He departed Hal Roach Studios for Cascade Studios, where he worked the optical printer and animation camera.[2] Peterman left Cascade Studios to work on the Lassie television series, but later returned to Cascade Studios to become director of photography for the studio's television commercial productions.[2]
Peterman made his film debut as director of photography in the 1979 horror film, When a Stranger Calls.[1][2] The film, described by Peterman as a "a down-and-dirty production," was shot in 25 days with a $1.7 million budget.[3] Peterman was able to shoot nighttime scenes in six foot-candles of soft light without the aid of high-speed film stock or lenses.[3]
In 1997, Peterman suffered head injuries, a broken leg and broken ribs in an accident on the film set of Mighty Joe Young.[1] Peterman was on a platform suspended eighteen feet from the ground when the crane holding the platform snapped, throwing Peterman to the ground.[1] A cameraman working with Peterman was also injured in the accident.[1] Production was delayed for two days, and Peterman was replaced by Oliver Wood for the remainder of principal photography.
