Mark Lobatto
"School was the sort of place where it’s hard to shine, as there are so many accomplished kids from over-achieving backgrounds – I found my place where I was comfortable which was mostly average. I enjoyed the position of an outsider, wandering around, in my own head, observing people from a distance."
"I went to Nottingham University. Great campus, great city. Studied Archaeology with History of Art joint honours. Interesting mix both of people and subject matter. Like many degrees, I enjoyed some modules more than others and could tolerate some classmates more than others, but on the whole it was a great three years."
"My earliest jobs were a few days here and there on the set of pop music videos - god I wish I remembered their names. I’ve strong memories of a large Moroccan themed bar, smoke and pulsing lights. I was entrusted with tasks that matched my experience...tea making, passing the gaffer some gels, schlepping heavy gear. The same guys got me onboard a short film, which I think was a children’s magic realism piece where a character named Mr. Rainbow appeared in a young boys life. It’s safe to say that even then in a random east-end warehouse, helping to build a scaffolding rig for a high-angle shot, just being part of the process. Telling a story visually for others to watch, it made sense to me and the more I learned the more I was enthralled by it – much like today to be honest. That alongside an obsession with movie watching, this confirmed in my mind that it was a path worth pursuing."
"My first job out of university was on Quantum of Solace working as an assistant to the video playback operator at pinewood studios. I loved it as it thrust me into the world of the studio movie. On the front line so to speak. I was nervous, but the reality was that I was one of hundreds, and everyone was too busy and good at their jobs to worry about you worrying about yours. It was mostly me learning how to run cables between cameras and the playback units and holding the personal monitor for the director. As mundane as that sounds, like most of my work experience to date I found it magical, and learned a great deal."
"I remain influenced by everything from literature, artists, photographers and especially real life memories. I think you have to be open to everything, you never know what little morsel might be the catalyst to a beautiful aesthetic or new idea. I’m not good at giving a clear-cut answer on favourite filmmakers as I try to watch with great breadth. I’ve as much time for Bergman, Wilder, Hitchcock, Fellini as I do Linklater, Fincher, Scorcese and the Coen brothers."
"There’s a pleasure in finding a new film that surprises you from any country or from any decade; and I have a hunger for film-watching in the cinema of course, but also alone in a dark room at home, and it’s not a hunger that’s going away. I’d say I’m at my happiest when watching a great film. A great film sort of owns you for the duration it’s on; you can’t help but be led by them and at times even project your own memories as part of the film watching experience. Hopefully being an audience-member first, informs some of my decisions I make / hope to make as a filmmaker."
"I’ve just finished my short film Blue borsalino. It’s been a brilliant experience. From writing the script, raising the finance through crowd-funding which is a journey of its own, to the production and working with the generous and talented group of people, to the finished thing. Working with established actors like David Warner was superb. To have someone who wanted to get behind every line, and bring so much to the table and still want to be treated as the rest of the cast. I couldn't ask for more than that. So we’ve just begun sending the film out to be considered in film festivals all over. Touch wood we’ll begin to hear back in a few months from now – it would be great for it get a wide audience as possible to shine the light on the work of everyone involved really."
"My bread and butter work is as director’s assistant on bigger feature films. Specifically i've worked with Christopher Smith, Jonathan Liebesman and the Wachowskis, all of which were both talent and accessible. It’s a real window into the work and process of some great working directors today. It can be grueling and life eating, but when I can get it I’m grateful for the work. I’m certainly still a student; I’m just glad my film-school is within the industry itself and has no end date."
"I’m currently developing scripts, and hopefully taking the steps towards my first feature film. Material-wise I’m drawn to drama and subversive thrillers that follow conflicted characters in specific personal worlds. I like to think I’m in the early stages of that journey towards being a feature filmmaker, whatever that will be - but I’m excited for what does come next and welcome opportunities to collaborate with producers and writers in the future. Ultimately it would be nice to be part of that conversation of being storyteller."