Mark Sawicki

Cameraman, artist, and actor Mark Sawicki began his career as a stop motion hobbyist in Jackson, Michigan. His early work as a teenager led Mark to enroll in the USC Cinema program where he and his friends struggled to break into the film business. Fresh out of school Mark worked on his first feature film "The Strangeness". Mark was co producer, visual effects artist and actor. The film is featured in the book "Nightmare USA" by Steve Thrower. Working on this movie was a terrific introduction into the field and opened the door for Mark to work at Roger Corman's New World Pictures where he helped create effects for "Galaxy of Terror" and "Saturday the 14th". After leaving Corman Mark found ready employment as an effects cameraman for CMI where he won a Clio for his optical work. During this period Mark also worked as a stop motion animator and actor on several MTV rock videos. After CMI Mark was invited by Bill Taylor ASC to become the matte photographer for Illusion Arts. While at Illusion Arts, Mark was exposed to the time-honored tradition of latent image matte painting effects and had the fabulous opportunity of working under Albert Whitlock in the last years before the great matte painter's retirement. It was at IA that Mark shared in the win of an Emmy certificate for his contributions to the Star Trek television series. During this period Mark was invited by Kodak to be a trainer for their groundbreaking Cineon digital film system. In 1996 Mark was offered the position of co effects supervisor with Tim McHugh of Area 51 for Tom Hank's "From the Earth to the Moon". After the series Mark became head effects cameraman and colorist for Custom Film Effects. Mark creates clay cartoon figurines for the fine art market and has taught at USC, UCLA Extension and the NYFA Universal Studios Hollywood.