Mark Sawicki
Acting
Biography
Mark Sawicki began as an actor and clay animator in Michigan. He came to Los Angeles in 1976 and became involved in visual effects during the "Star Wars" era. One of his first positions was working for 'Roger Corman"s New World Studios working on low budget sci-fi pictures as a cameraman. From there, he went on to shooting effects and creating animation for commercials and many rock videos. In 1986, he became the matte photographer for Illusion Arts working under visual effects masters Albert Whitlock, Syd Dutton, and Bill Taylor. During this period, Mark began his work on mainstream films and became an instructor for Kodak's Cineon system (a landmark digital film compositing system). After a 10-year stint of compositing matte paintings at Illusion Arts, Mark went on to become a co supervisor for Area 51 on Tom Hanks' From the Earth to the Moon (1998). Currently, Mark is the head effects camera supervisor and digital colorist for Custom Film Effects. He has authored three DVDs on the art of clay animation and a documentary "Twilight Cameraman" on the craft of optical printing available from firstlightvideo.com. He is also author of the book "Filming the Fantastic: Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography" published by Focal Press. Mark frequently performs as an actor in independent films. While he no longer does clay animation, Mark continues to create whimsical clay cartoon characters for the fine art market.
Known For
A slick New York publicist who picks up a ringing receiver in a phone booth is told that if he hangs up, he'll be killed... and the little red light from a laser rifle sight is proof that the caller isn't kidding.
Phone Booth
After watching their respective partners die, a cop and a hitman form an alliance in order to bring down their common enemy.
Bullet to the Head
An uptight, conservative businesswoman accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric and outgoing family's annual Christmas celebration and finds that she's a fish out of water in their free-spirited way of life.
The Family Stone
With the help of a magical lamp, an impoverished young man transforms himself into a prince in order to win the heart of a beautiful princess. A live-action retelling of the 1992 Disney film of the same name.
Adventures of Aladdin
Harry, Billy and Dean are three hustlers at different stages in their careers. All must deal with the realities of their profession. One falls in love with a client, another enters deeper into denial, and another begins to learn the ropes.
Skin & Bone
Beneficiaries gather for the reading of a will. Murders ensue.
The Deceased Won't Desist!
A group of young miners venture into the Gold Spike Mine in search of gold, even after being warned by old-time prospectors to stay away. The miners proceed into the caverns anyway and soon realize that there’s no gold in these mines, but also that they’re not alone.
The Strangeness
A Great Historical Program for a Visual Effects Class. Twilight Cameraman gives a rare glimpse into the remarkable craft of optical printing which was of great importance in the field of visual effects. It demonstrates the step-by-step procedures used to shoot film opticals. Before his transition into digital, Visual Effects cameraman Mark Sawicki documented the old style craftsmanship of the traditional optical cameraman. This program is a wonderful companion piece to the Albert Whitlock: A Master of Illusion as Sawicki worked as cameraman for Whitlock's protg's Bill Taylor and Syd Dutton (now effects supervisors). This program pays homage to an exciting craft that was handed down from one camera person to another in the last age of apprenticeship.
Twilight Cameraman
A period piece set in the summer of '64 just days before the Beatles appear on the Ed Sullivan show for the first time. Goofy daydreamer Phil Buckley meets the cause caring Lorraine in a music store and the two hit it off, and agree to spend the evening together at a local beatnik coffee house which offer it's patrons an open mic to perform the then ever so popular "folk" music of the day.
If I Had A Hammer
Radha and Anna cover up their relationship when Radha's aunt Durga comes for a visit from India.
Sugar and Spice
A young man tries to sneak out of his house.
It stalked the night
An animated portrayal of evolution.
Origins
A short film featuring footage of a beach with distorted colors.