Remembering Mark

I was at school with Mark.  Out of school uniform my clear visual memory of Mark is in his flowing Afghan coat, loons and suede boots; happy days!  I was looking forward to seeing him at our school reunion in the autumn; now not to be.  RIP Mark. You will be missed.

Mourning a wonderful colleague. We were only just getting going on working together, after our first meeting a quarter of a century ago I was filled with admiration for him and his work.
A building block of London's community history media making.. is gone.
What will become of his seminal archive, of his Lavender Hill room lined with the historic format video machines essential to affordably digitise and save old grasroots protest and cultural videos from being lost to time?
RIP beautiful Mark, so sorry I never made it over as planned last time I was in London!

Known Mark for donkey yonks and had been chatting with him a lot recently. Helped Mark with the Exodus docs back in the day and crafted the music for his recent Battersea Power Station doc and- even more recently - had been chatting with him profusely over coffee and on the blower about lots of stuff to be doing. Just heard he’s gone. So sudden. Gutted. Mark was one of the rare ‘Real McCoys’ of bottom up grass roots community led politics. And he was always up for a spirited debate at any hour of the day -a trait he shared with Fidel Castro. And i’ m glad to say that when i said this to him two weeks ago on the phone, he guffawed out loud. That’s how i’ll remember him. A really good spirited heartily committed human being

I think this is the last thing that Spectacle Media (Mark himself?) uploaded to YouTube - an interview with Jimmy Pursey... https://youtu.be/AzA2KB2taYo?si=LwEwjg4WsBBcN5CP

Mark, I will miss you. We didn't see each other often, but when we did it was like no time had passed. I loved your sense of humour, and took comfort from your groundedness. Gone far too soon from this world. Much love to Ilga and Teo, my heart aches for the two of you.

I am beyond saddened to hear this news about Mark. I first encountered Mark indirectly in 1998, seeing one of his films. Later we met in person, surprisingly finding we lived a 5-minute walk from each other, at the edges of Battersea. Mark was a friend and a colleague. He taught practical filmmaking at Birkbeck for several years (the image is from just before a class in 2017), and helped us acquire audiovisual equipment for use by students. Recently, Mark and me were planning to meet up. I was eager to hear his plans for new research and projects around Spectacle’s video archives. On Saturday, before I heard of Mark’s passing, I resolved that I really must get in touch. Now I have to come to terms with the fact that I won’t be hanging out with Mark again, hearing his kind thoughts and frequent witty observations. This makes me so sad. But more than anything, I am sad for Ilga and Teo, his wife and son, to whom I send my deepest condolences.

Rest in peace Mark. This is sad news. He used to work with me and with community groups on Marsh Farm estate in Luton. He also used to host a lot of workshops as Spectacle on the estate. You will be missed by us and I am sure everyone you used to work with. We were all fighting for the same cause. Equal rights and justice. Sleep in peace my brother. The fight continues!!

Very sad you’re gone. It’s been years but can still hear your laugh. Thought of you recently when Godspeed You Black Emperor was playing in a film. Your gift was chatting, engaging & dealing with anyone, all with wit & humor & infectious laughter. I recall Teo’s 8th? Bday party you asked him to let the other kids sometimes win. You knew your son was #1! but wanted everyone to have fun! This was your all inclusive nature, a quality I imagine is the backbone of your Spectacle work. You once gave me a Jeff Buckley CD from your side hustle & witnessed similar kind gestures.The last time I saw you was impromptu via Skype.You were very empathetic about something I underwent. I experienced you saying what it meant for me without saying it. Gosh, you had the gift of gab in every which way! My deepest sympathies, especially 4 Ilga & Teo. I hope you’re in another incredible garden, where you were most at peace, from the small one in Battersea to the grand one in Peckham.Goodbye kind man, Mark!

Such incredibly sad news! I worked with Mark in the 80s at Eastside, running film and video workshops together. He was a brilliant colleague, so committed and innovative, exciting and a joy to work with. He was also a very good friend with a really warm heart and generous spirit. It is some years since we last met up and I kept meaning to get in touch again and catch up - too late! A huge loss for his family and all his colleagues and friends.

The Exploding Cinema won’t be the same without you in the audience x

I haven't seen Mark in a long time as I'd visit with my Dad when I was younger. I always was very fond of him and loved visiting his flat as there was always something interesting to look at. He was always lovely to me and I am really sad knowing I won't see him again. Sending all the love ❤️

Last time all of Gorilla Tapes were with Mark last year. We all miss you.

Very sad news. I knew Mark through my role overseeing Birkbeck’s undergraduate film, media and journalism final projects. Mark supervised our students’ short film projects for several years and spurred them to stretch themselves. Mark also once had the task of teaching a group of us academic staff. I’m sure we made a very challenging cohort to teach! He was patient and motivating, and it was great to experience his teaching from the other side of the fence. I always thoroughly enjoyed my conversations with Mark as he was passionate about his craft and the causes he championed. His work, and the people he inspired through it, is a worthy legacy. My heartfelt condolences to Mark’s loved ones.

at each INURA that I have attended, Mark was bringing clarity - with his combination of humour and common sense! https://www.inura.org/v2/index.php/activities/conferences/

we had plans: he was interested in coming to Bucharest and we were interested in having first hand mentoring on participatory media in relation to participatory planning!
we were looking for a grant to make this project possible...

A little photo I took in Finland, not knowing it would be my last photo of Mark. What a tragic loss. We'll miss you, Mark

I first met Mark when he turned up at one of our Exodus squat parties with a camera and a copy of 'Battle of Trafalgar' as his passport. There was no better passport because, unknown to Mark, we were in the film and had been inspired by watching it. Now the guy who made it was at the gate!

I went to the gate to bring him in, and there began a friendship, comradeship and relationship I'll value for all of my life.

Mark got a commission with C4 to make a film about our movement, our beliefs and the tribulations we were enduring at the hands of police and powerful, pissed off people.

This was activist filmmaking at its finest. The camera became part of our truth and rights artillery. Mark was with us when we cracked venues, stopped riots, linked us to INURA in Zurich, and so much more.

The films he made not only allowed us to put our case, they helped us dismantle the corrupt attempts to crush us.

We'll never forget you Mark. You are our brother and a true SoulJAH x ONE LOVE x

I'll always remember Mark as being funny, wise, endlessly generous with his time and knowledge and just being an all round fantastic person, as well as being absolutely first class at chatting up girls. His work over the years was testament to his love of people, and the world will be a worse place without him. I'll always miss you.

A man there

Mark messaged me on Monday as his flight home from Finland touched down, but is was Sunday morning I heard this terrible news, shocked and bewildered. Stefan just directed me here to read the collective response, much love to you all x

Mark in his studio, happy days

Dear Mark,
As soon as I got the terrible news that you had left us, hundreds of memories invaded my mind, and a lot of images of your wonderful smile, that used to calm me down, when I was in panic, as it transmitted serenity and strength, as it was the proof of a big conquer in a life that (due to the difficulties faced in the world of filmmaking and documentaries that you loved so much) was not a simple one. I especially remembered of when the house of a friend of mine in London (there was waiting for restauration) was squatted, and you generously offered your expertise for mediation…I was amazed by your help! In this moment I feel a huge void, and I cannot even imagine what Ilga, Teo and your closer friends are feeling when confronted with the daily absence of such a marvellous human being as you are. I leave here my last selfie with you in Malaga last year, as we shared the passion of being selfie-guys. You will always live in me, as in many other people who were so lucky to meet U

Mark was my best friend at school and we never lost touch entirely and reconnected properly again recently and were planning to meet up again, not least at a school reunion planned for September. This is a huge shock and I will try to write more anon....in the meantime all thoughts with Ilga and Tao at this tragic time x