EP 14: embracing artistic freedom in wedding filmmaking
Welcome to today's episode! I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Mark Brown, a filmmaker based in England. I met Mark at a workshop that he was holding while he was in LA. Mark lived in LA before the pandemic and while he loves England, he often feels a bit displaced and thinks about returning to LA often. Let’s hope he does because he is incredibly talented and I would love to have him closer.
Everyone in the industry has a starting point. For Mark Brown, it all began when he impulsively bought a ticket to a workshop in Los Angeles. Originally from England, Mark had relocated to LA, inadvertently extending his stay due to pandemic restrictions. During his time there, he didn't just kill time – he found love, started a family, and developed his bold approach to wedding videography.
Not Your Average Wedding Videographer
Most might label Mark Brown a wedding videographer, but that doesn't accurately define him. As Mark described, he never truly saw himself fitting into the traditional wedding industry mold. His craft is more synonymous with filmmaking, capturing stories and emotions through his lens rather than simply documenting wedding events. He finds inspiration in filming everyday people and using his medium to tell their stories with a genuine, unstaged approach.
An Artist’s Approach to Weddings
Some videographers focus solely on documenting the events of a wedding day. Mark, conversely, seeks to tell a story and reflect the unique personalities of the couple. He ventures off the beaten path, shying away from rote, repetitive shots, instead capturing more intimate, genuine moments. Whether it's a couple's warm exchange while cutting the cake or the palpable energy during the party, Mark seizes these snippets of reality that encapsulate the essence of the day.
The Importance of Investing in Self-Creation
There’s a subtle art to wedding videography that comes alive when you do it for passion, not just payment. Mark stresses the significance of self-investment and the courage to venture beyond the comfort zone. This doesn't necessarily mean spending more money but investing time and creativity in exploration and innovation. He encourages videographers to step back from the trends and instead put lenses to what truly captivates their artistic sight.
One thing I found really interesting was Marks commitment and his belief in self-investment. He encourages aspiring filmmakers to invest time and resources into projects aligned with their passions, even offering services for free in locations and scenarios that are both strategic and inspire you. He shares his own journey of offering free wedding films to top wedding planners around the world, creating a diverse portfolio that opened doors to so many international opportunities.
Changing Patterns: Wedding Videography and the Instagram Influence
Instagram and other social media platforms have heightened expectations and influenced styles in videography. Mark suggests staying true to one's vision and not falling into the trap of creating content to appease the masses. He's noted the trend of shooting in Super 8, a filmmaking method he once embraced but has since abandoned due to its surging popularity.
The Intricacies of 16mm Film
Mark has developed a signature style using 16mm film, despite the costly price tag it carries. Its high-quality result, resembling larger medium format films, sets a distinctive tone in his work. It provokes a challenge for artists, compelling them to consider the cost of their pursuit while also pushing the boundaries of their creativity.
The journey of moving from Super 8 to 16mm film was not smooth, and Mark admits to making a lot of mistakes along the way. But these missteps become lessons, teaching him to not repeat errors and refine his process, ultimately leading him to create more excellent work.
In an industry where replicating trends is the norm, Mark Brown stands as a genuine, creative voice. He believes there is greater reward and satisfaction in going against the grain and crafting work that truly represents your artistic abilities. For both aspiring and established videographers, his story serves as a reminder that originality, authenticity, and passion will always pave the way for meaningful, captivating work.
Mark Brown's story serves as a testament to the power of authenticity and self-investment in a constantly evolving industry. His dedication to storytelling, aversion to conformity, and adventurous spirit continue to shape his unique path in the world of filmmaking and to those that he mentors and leads.
About Mark:
Mark Brown is a storyteller & documentarian, working with vintage movie cameras and Kodak film. He is one of the first to bring Super 8 to the wedding world, and continues to inspire with his award winning style and 'Somewhere' workshops, which introduces photographers and filmmakers to motion picture format. Previous wedding clients include Guy Ritchie, Kate Mara and Jamie Bell.
Find Mark:
Website: markbrownfilms.com
Instagram: @markbrownfilms
Connect with me Online:
Website: summergracephoto.com
Instagram: @summergracephoto
