Résumé
Mark Lawrie was born in Johannesburg and moved to Barcelona when he was twelve. Interested in theatre and photography from an early age, he assited fashion phographers before venturing into film as a student, filming 8mm cult classics in Berlin and Barcelona. He entered the industry as a music promo director in the mid 90's where he produced, directed, wrote and edited over 120 music promos through his own prodcution company. A highlight of this period for him was directing the "Rainbow Nation Concert" live in Johannesburg, with historic appearances by Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu. He also directed theatre productions and minor cabaret (as one does) In the 90's, his ground-breaking and sometimes subversive music promo's produced by him helped launch the careers of many well-known South African musicians and earned him many awards along the way, winning the OKTV/Octave award thrice in a row*.
Mark began directing and editing corporate films and commercials for television and cinema in 1999 with The Gatehouse. He then joined Velocity Films until 2010 when he moved to the UK. He is established as a freelance director and editor working worldwide. He is represented internationally and has worked with agencies and clients around the globe (Azerbaijan, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dubai, France, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Lebanon, Nigeria, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uganda, United Kingdom, and the USA) and achieved many international awards**. Campaigns for international brands include Aviva Insurance, Sunlife Insurance, Ford, Amstel, Etisalat, Lukoil, Coke, MTN, Pepsi, Bell's, Smirnoff and Gulder Lager. In addition to his passion for the '30-second film', Mark directs and edits much of his own work. He also shoots stills, has a feature film ready for development and a killer short to be shot soon. He speaks English, fluent Spanish and not too bad French.
Awards
*OKTV Octave Award - Best Music Video; OKTV Octave Award – Best Music Video; Octave Awards – Best Music Video; ; Emzimtoti Music Awards - Gold.
**London International Advertising Awards, Winner Campaign; Loerie Craft Award for Best Direction; New York Advertising Festival - Winner Campaign; Loerie Craft Award for Best Editing; London International Advertising Awards, 14 finalists, 1 Winner; Cannes Lions Advertising Festival, 3 x finalists; Loerie Craft Award – Direction; Loerie Awards – 3 Silver; Asia Pacific Awards – Gold – Cinema; Loerie Awards - 1 Gold 4 silver awards; Loerie Craft - Direction; Loerie Awards - 1 Gold and 7 silver Awards; Loerie Awards – Silver; Directors Circle – Best ad of the year; Creative Circle – Bronze – Best Ad; Vuka Awards - Best Animation. African Sun Awards - Best Campaign.
