Mark Solter
So from our ‘green’ festival in West Europe to The Green Room- Mark Solter welcome and thanks for joining us!
Who would you say influenced you as a cinematographer?
Great to be here! I would certainly point the origins at all the prog rock and fusion music I listened to while growing up and the impression it left on me. The visual compliment came later with the films of Stanley Kubrick, Andrei Tarkovsky, Alan Parker, and Bruce Robinson. The form and design of their art remains a huge influence.
With regards to your film credits you have been involved in a number of shorts, would you say you prefer short films over features?
I wouldn’t say that I prefer one over the other, however, since I work both as a cinematographer and director it’s really an issue of time and opportunity. Short form projects, both personal and commercial, have just developed with greater frequency.
Tell us the best bit of advice you’ve ever had and the best bit of advice you would give others for making it in the industry?
Best advice: “Fix it in pre-pro.” Own Advice: “Cultivate your own philosophy of look and avoid pretension at all costs.”
Now whilst in Brussels at our festival there, yourself and Jeffrey Gane got a little bit creative- tell us about that process and the development of the idea?
Since Jeff and I live on opposite sides of the equator we make time to collaborate whenever possible. He arrived with a short script, we discussed character and story over breakfast, and with a small camera package, glass options, lighting tricks and bits in my kit, we exploited our jet lag in the early morning hours over a couple of nights. Some pick-ups were completed when I returned to the US. Looking at a December finish.
You’re currently in post-production on ‘An Empty Bliss Beyond This Point’, what can we expect from this project?
It’s an exploration into device dependency and the influence it has on a young couple living on Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand. Intimacy and engagement at a breaking point with a bit of pop culture and Caravaggio mixed in. The offline will be completed in Auckland. Sound and online Auckland/Los Angeles early 2020.
What’s next for you Mark? more directing, cinematography or other?
I’m shooting a pair of projects for U.S. based production companies in the coming months with details under wraps, then back into development on a feature-length of my own that’ll include some time in the South West and the Dakotas. I also have a drama series a producing partner and I scripted that’s gained some traction on its rounds. Touch wood it’ll find a home.
Thanks so much for taking the time to join us- we are huge fans and loved The Moon Smells Like Gunpowder…although it did take a couple of viewings. We hope you can join us in Warsaw, for now you are free to leave The Green Room.
