BEHIND THE LENS

 

The Visual Art of Mark Austin has bridged the worlds of New Media, Cinema, and Music for over 15 years. Beginning as a photographer at a young age, Mark entered the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where he attained his BA and MFA in Film. While at USC, Mark was able to hone his visual storytelling abilities. You will always find Mark with a camera in one hand and a laptop in the other!

 

Mark has successfully combined his passion for Cinematography with the power of the Internet. The result has been a number of cross-media music campaigns, Nike sports apparel promotionals, fashion design promotionals, and a host of videos and product commercials that can seen online and on VH1, MTV, and BET.

 

Working with the digital advertisement agency, Cannery Agency, Mark’s visual and interactive design skills have been used on a number of DVD and interactive online spaces for Hollywood Studio films. His most notable works include programming and designs for The Matrix and My Best Friend’s Wedding DVDs -- plus Art Director on DVD features for Three Kings, The Perfect Storm, Superman DVD re-release, and Disney’s The Princess of Thieves.

 

Currently, Mark works as an Associate Professor at The Art Institute of Hollywood and California State University at Northridge -- teaching a new generation of filmmakers Cinematography, Animation, Graphic Design and Online Marketing & Branding Techniques.  Mark also works as a Live Event Director for Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), directing multi-camera productions of concerts and sports events. He just finished an avant-garde music video with Ghostface, RZA, and the Wu-Tang Clan -- as well as collaborations with The Souls of Mischief and Snoop Dogg.