About The Filmmaker

Mark started as a graphic designer in BBC News & Current Affairs, before moving to Channel 4 designing programme title sequences & channel idents.
I've been a freelance director / producer since 1995 making documentaries, travel progs, corporate & shorts. I'm currently in development with a documentary feature.

Summary

In 1985, Mark Craig bought an answer machine. He then kept every message it recorded... for 20 years!
'Talk To Me' is a personal life journey from long-haired graduate to grey-haired middle age, conveyed
entirely by real answer machine messages recorded over two decades. Visuals comprise a large collage of
photos and ephemera all shot in one continuous take.

Questionaire

Did you make money on the film? Did you cover your costs or did it cost you money in the end? How much?

NO, NO, AND DON'T KNOW...

What did you shoot and edit on?

KEN MORSE’S ROSTRUM CAMERA / AVID EXPRESS

How long did it take to make from conception to completion?

20 YEARS

What was the biggest lesson you learnt making the film?

LIFE’S SHORT AND NOTHING STAYS THE SAME FOR LONG.

What do you wish someone had told you before you started?

THAT IT WOULD TAKE TWICE AS LONG TO MAKE AS I THOUGHT.

Did you have a moment where you nearly gave up? What was it?

CERTAINLY ENDURED THE USUAL HICCUPS AND CHALLENGES; BUT IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO GIVE UP: I NEVER GIVE UP, THOUGH SOMETIME I PROBABLY SHOULD...

What do you think this film did in terms of helping your career?

I CAN WITH CERTAINTY THAT IT GOT ME NOTICED, AND THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL CIRCUIT RUN OF THE FILM OPENED MY MIND TO NEW POSSIBILITIES, AND RAISED MY AMBITIONS. BUT PEOPLE DON’T THROW MONEY AT YOU FOR YOUR NEXT PROJECT JUST BECAUSE YOU WON AN AWARD.

Did you use the short as an experimental platform (either in technique or content) – in what ways?

CREATIVE SOLUTION WAS PARTLY INFORMED BY THE NATURE OF THE ARCHIVE AND MY DESIRE TO UTILISE ANY OLD SKILLS FROM MY TIME AS A GRAPHIC DESIGNER. THE REST I MADE UP AS I WENT ALONG:

What’s been the best thing about having made the film?

THAT I ACTUALY MADE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND THAT IT DOCUMENTED A SPECIAL TIME IN BOTH MY OWN AND OTHERS’ LIVES...