Mark Waters, has directed and photographed numerous films around the globe. His love for the planet and personal interests in philosophy and psychology have inspired the direction of his career. Having had the privilege of documenting a diverse range of people across all continents has broadened his perspective, which has driven him both personally and professionally to explore the potential of the human experience.
Growing up as a surfer, the early years of his career were naturally spent developing his skills in the extreme sports industry where he had the opportunity to frame the lives of the most extreme athletes on the planet. Having shot The Redbull Signature series, X-games, O’neill evolution, and The O’neil, Cold water classic set him up to produce his own films. His first independent feature film, The Salt Trail was awarded for best film, best cinematography, and viewers’ choice at many of the international surf film festivals for the following three years. The next few years were spent Directing and shooting numerous travel-based shows, short films, branded films, and commercials.
Recent credits include his independent film Tictoc. An honest portrayal of a teenage boy suffering from Tourettes Syndrome. The intention for this was to allow Felix to be open and honest about the reality of Tourettes. The film was longlisted for a BAFTA, and selected to compete at some of the most prestigious doc festivals in the world including Sheffield Doc Fest, IDFA, Lunenburg, and many others. The film will be released in late 2021.
Other recent credits include the Multi-award-winning film, Chasing the Present, featuring Russell Brand, Graham Hancock, and many other incredible thinkers, enlightened masters, and Shamans. Chasing the Present evolved into a deeply immersive feature film, exploring the root cause of suffering, the mystery of consciousness, and the nature of the self. It was picked up and distributed by 1091 media in September 2020. It stayed at #1 in the UK and Australia and #2 in the USA on the apple TV charts for some time.
Waters is currently based in Leeds, England where he continues to work as both a Director and Director of Photography.
CHASING THE PRESENT - directors trailor
Chasing the Present has been distributed on various platforms so please keep this link confidential. It’s strictly for producers, agents and potential collaborators to screen.
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY (2019) 96MIN
Chasing the Present is a feature-length documentary that explores the root cause of anxiety. The film features Russell Brand, Graham Hancock, and many others. I directed, shot and cut the film over 3 years. During the making, we explored the nature of the self, the root cause of psychological suffering, and what it means to be human. Having spent years on this project I learnt so much about the nature of the human mind and the mechanics behind why we do the things we do which has had a profound personal effect on my own life. Having a clearer understanding of human behaviour has strengthened my ability to work with people on a personal level which has really helped as a director. CTP was selected at many festivals worldwide, picking up best film at the Rhode Island International film festival, Chelsea Film Festival, Rishikesh International Film Festival, Awareness Film Festival, and several others. The film was released in September 2020 by 1091 media and hit number in the iTunes charts for two weeks. The feedback has been incredible, with many people expressing gratitude.
Directors Trailor
COmmercial Trailor
TICTOC - trailer
Tictoc is currently on the festival circuit and not yet released so please keep confidential. It’s strictly for producers, agents and potential collaborators to screen.
SHORT DOCUMENTARY
In the sixteen years that Felix has grown up, he’s had to contend with the unpredictable and consuming nature of Tourette’s Disorder, all whilst navigating the usual tribulations of adolescence. He wants to share his story and break the stigma.
Tictoc is doing its festival tour whereby it has so far been selected for IDFA (The International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam) and Lunenburg Doc Fest.
Back Story
Felix and his family have been close family friends of mine for many years so I have witnessed the difficulties they experience. Unfortunately, there is not a lot of support for Tourettes Syndrome with regards to a cure so people like Felix are told to try and manage it as best as they can.
The media have portrayed TS in a way that has led people to think it’s funny but that’s so far from the truth, so my intention for this was to allow Felix to be open and honest about the reality of TS. I moved into his family house for a short time, to capture him in his most vulnerable moments allowing the public to see what goes on behind closed doors. He has never shared his experiences in this way and in a way it was therapy for him.
The film has intentionally been stripped back and slowed down to create a space for the viewer to reflect.
Bring Back My Bonnie - trailer
A Light in the Valley - full film
SHORT DOCUMENTARY
Nic De Jesus began a year-long artist in residence program, at Saltmarsh Farmhouse – a 16th-century country house in the Cuckmere Valley to investigate a new body of work called, A Light in the Valley. After experiencing a psychological breakdown, Nic began an inquiry within, to explore his full potential, which is becoming far more than he ever imagined.
Trailor
Back Story
Nic and I grew up together riding waves in Cape Town from when we were kids. Over the decades our bond has strengthened by our love for storytelling and imagery. I was really keen to make a film about Nic but time and finances were slowing things down until a Nitram showed interest in commissioning a film. Nitram is a fine arts company that sponsors Nic with his tools. They wanted a film that gave a window into his world, his process and how he uses the tools. I spent 5 intimate days with Nic, and this film organically came to life through the connection we shared and the conversations we had. Over the years I have been learning how to provide a space for people to reveal themselves in a way that gets to the truth. This was the first time Nic, felt comfortable enough to share his story. It was a very sensitive process whereby I would share the editing process at different stages to see what he was comfortable with and in the end, we agreed that if he felt comfortable to share whilst shooting then it can make the cut.
Rehka Luther - Your Youth
SPECS AND CREDITS
Name: Your Youth – Rekha Luther
Client: Rekha Lutha
Form: Music video
Master Format: 4K, 2:1 ratio, Colour
Camera: Red Weapon
Featuring: Rekha Luther and Phil Dunster
Director: Mark Waters
Cinematographer: Mark Waters
Gaffer/First A/C: Adam Lyons
Edit: Adam Lyons
Production Assistant: Sophie Powles and Tom S
Olafur Arnolds - Undir
SPECS AND CREDITS
Name: Olafur Arnalds – Undir (Live at the Palladium)
Client: Warner Music
Form: Music video
Master Format: 2K, 2.35 ratio
Camera: Red Weapon
Featuring: Olafur Arnalds
Director: Mark Waters
Cinematographer: Mark Waters
The Salt Trail - full film 2014
Zero Budget Feature Doc
The Salt Trail takes us on a voyage and delves into the true meaning of surf travel. Journeying through Indonesia from the crowded points of Bali to the isolation of The Mentawai islands, this film captures the joys and the pains of exploration, and the rewards that will stay with you long after the journey is over. It is a film to stir the soul and stoke the wanderlust and, showcasing some deepest, sweetest tube rides, it’ll have you packing your bags for your own Indian Ocean voyage of discovery. It was awarded for best film, best cinematography and viewers choice at many of the international surf film festivals for the following three years.
Back Story
With surfing having had such a massive impact on my life I was really keen to make a feature surf film but wasn’t too sure how to make it happen. I reached out to the directors of the films I grew up watching to see if I could shoot their next film. This got nowhere so I decided to make my own. This was during the DSLR revolution so I used the gear I had (Canon 5dmkii) and the money in my pocket (not a lot). My girlfriend and I travelled east once again with no plans of expectations. I let the film organically unfold going with the flow and shooting whatever showed up. The Salt Trail turned out to be a philosophical portrayal, of those who fearlessly choose to travel outside the comforts of modern society. During the world premiere, the festival creator nudged me and congratulated me for winning against the best filmmakers in the world – they were the ones that never responded to me. Again, I was blown away because I never saw that coming. This opened up more television opportunities, whereby I directed multiple documentary series’ around the world.