I am so thrilled to introduce this new film! I was invited to rural Texas to be a part of Kaydee and Frank’s Wedding at the picturesque Camp Waldemar. Firstly, I have to say, that Lone Star hospitality is quite possibly the best thing ever! Not only did the Wedding party have me at Waldemar for three days of fun and frolics but also showed me about Austin.

The Wedding itself was incredible… Kaydee looked stunning in her Vera Wang dress, as did the Bridesmaids, and the fella’s kept it classical in bow ties! The ceremony took place outside (ampitheater style) under an enormous ancient tree and by the famous North Fork Guadalupe River… it was all very cinematic, and I even got to ride a Long Horn Bull (not my proudest moment, but it was pretty cool)!

It’s safe to say I have made friends for life with these beautiful people and I can’t wait to get back!

“We simply cannot put into words what your film, your presence at our wedding, and your friendship mean to us. You have given us a a gift that we will treasure always, and we love you for that. Thank you for coming to Texas to be with us, for celebrating with us, and for being who you are and doing what you do. We will never forget you and we hope that our friendship will continue on throughout the years. Through many tears and many laughs, we couldn’t be happier with how magical, romantic and truly us the film turned out! Seeing our love through your eyes is the sweetest treat we could ever imagine!” – Kaydee & Frank

Song used ‘All Wash Out’ by Edward Sharpe & the magnetic zeroes

On recent travels to Austin, Texas, I was fortunate enough to be introduced to a rather fascinating character! A spiritual healer, of Mexican and Native American descent, who is also an actress and has appeared in films such as Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds and Death Proof! The beautiful lady in question is miss Tina Rodriguez.

She was such a tranquil person, completely at one with herself, I wanted to bottle some of it up and bring it back home with me to East London. For me it’s comforting to know there are these amazing people out there across the world, waiting to be discovered through my lens.

I’m so honored to have spent time with Tina… and to call her a friend.

May I present this lovely French/Canadian romance, sung from the alley ways of East London, hallways of Islington Town Hall and rooftops of Shoreditch House!

Photography by the awesome Lee Robbins.

“One word… same word again… WOW !! Thank you so much for this amazing film of our special day. Thank you for all the hours you are putting on to this. And we look so glam!!! Ahah! This is going to be such a great memory and a magic film to show Alice as she grows up. Thank you!!!!” – Ariane

Song used ‘Gentle Hour’ by Yo La Tengo

Thank you to Juliana and Sean for inviting me to capture their intimate Wedding ceremony at Wandsworth Town Hall and after party at The Crabtree Pub in Hammersmith, London.

Intimate city Wedding’s are on the rise and you can see why, with more of the day to spend with your adoring friends and family within a comfortable setting that you have spent more time personalizing, seems like a pretty good way to celebrate your love to me! Everything inside the Crabtree was unique, from the glasses to the silver wear and vintage cameras that dotted the tables… the guests were given a full three course menu to order from, and so everyone had an incredible looking dish to compare. The glasses were continuously topped with an assortment of wines and champagnes by quite possibly the nicest bartender in town, who shared in the conversation and became part of the whole feel of the Wedding.

Juliana looked effortlessly cool in her Alexander McQueen dress… but don’t take my word for it… check it out yourself. And also check out the photographer of the day, the always wonderful Sacco & Sacco.

“Finding it hard to put into words just how much we love our film. I’ve always had a love for Super 8 film from when my mother used to show me old movies from her and her sibling’s weddings. Anyone toying with the idea of hiring a Filmmaker for their wedding – DO IT! Having a timeless and elegant memory of your wedding day is priceless and something you will never regret. We can’t wait to show our children one day just the way my mother showed me. Working with Mark was a pleasure and on our day he was fantastic to work with, putting everyone at ease and unobtrusive. Love. Love. Love.” – Juliana

Song used “BRACKETT WI” by Bon Iver

Well, it’s finally here, after months and months… and months of design with the incredible Print For The Love Of Wood, I am proud to present the new packaging for Mark Brown Films!

It’s been a wonderful collaboration between Jacqui Sharples and myself, which started many moons ago over the phone with me trying to describe what it is I love about these films and Super 8 in general. It came to this; I have this vision when I’m creating a couple’s film, I can see their great grandchildren finding this old cigar box, it’s like a treasure trove inside, filled with pictures, postcards, letters… and a beautiful film.

After trawling endless markets, junk shops, google searches, Jacqui came up with this look, a custom made cigar box, made with love in her awesome workshop, using aged wood for the box, a vintage letterpress for the DVD cases and various other old school mechanics to get the authentic feel just right! What an incredible job she has done… I am so proud of her.

Another cool addition is the poem, lovingly donated by the much adored wordsmith and poet (and friend) Tyler Knott Gregson of Montana. The poem is pressed onto the DVD case, which is wrapped shut with a length of your original film reel.

So, dear Brides and Grooms and Lifestyle families and friends to be, you can expect one of these glorious cigar boxes arriving at your front door wrapped in that perfect brown paper, personally labelled by yours truly, filled with not just your finished film, but pictures and lots of other surprises… your own forgotten treasure trove, but brand new, in a weird back to the future way! Each one will be unique… it will be yours and your families for generations to come!

With love, as always, Mark

x

Finally! Mark Brown is shooting Lifestyle Films, because I believe everyone should own a moment of their lives on Super 8mm.

The McBurnie family live in Felton, California and I had the privilege of being present to capture their daughter’s first trip to the beach… and what an absolute joy it was hanging out with them for the day! Little Scarlett was mesmerized by the Pacific, and by the sand and seagulls! It was a very special moment, especially between her and her mother (Kerry), and one they will have to treasure for the rest of their lives.

Feel free to drop me a line if you would like to immortalize your family or friends on beautiful vintage film!

Song used “Child” by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

And here it is!

The first Film of 2013… The Wedding of Nicoletta and James, at (the always perfect) Shoreditch Town Hall, post ceremony drinks at the Pavilion in Victoria Park and the after party at the Ozone Cafe, Old Street!

Nicky looked… uh… right words failing me… stunning in her gorgeous Wedding Dress, designed by Alan Hannah.

What I loved about this Wedding was its simplicity… it goes to show that sometimes most is achieved by less, and the smaller ideas such as using a local cafe as your after party venue can go a long, long way. For me the wow factor was in the caterer, a miss Melissa Hughes, all the way from the USA, who has just started operating in London. I have never seen such a beautiful spread of nibbles in my life! Apparently Nicky and James planned all of this in just three months! I am in awe!

To get a better look at the dress, venues, their simple but stand out decoration and to marvel at the amazingness that is Nabeelscamera, click here. He is an incredible photographer and can’t wait to work with him again, he has encapsulated the feel of East London perfectly!

And there you have it! No.1 is done and dusted. The 2013 season is underway. There are some amazing Weddings on the horizon, and I cannot wait to show them to you all.

Mb x

Song used ‘Love To Another’ by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Photography was by Sam & Sequoia of Mirrorbox Photography fame, and the beautiful dress was designed by Charlie Brear @ The Vintage Wedding Dress Co.

“MARK!!!! Our wedding film is absolutely perfect!  Thank you sooooo much!  We keep watching it over and noticing something new each time.  Words fail me – which is rare – it is more a series of audible squeals of bliss!  It will be something that we will cherish and share forever!” – Lisa & Jamie

Song used “Another Saturday” by Stuart Murdoch

The Wedding itself took place at The Hong Kong Country Club, just outside the city. We then headed for a little intimate shoot on the waterfront pier at Stanley Harbor, before meeting with the guests at the very exclusive Peninsula Hotel on Kowloon. As the night came to an end, Kaman changed into a beautiful red dress and we took to the streets of Soho amid the bright neon for a final few shots… before calling it a night and going to a pizza parlor for a few slices!

Photography was by the always perfect Laura McCluskey, who also ventured out from East London to shoot their special day. Her work can be seen here.

“Dear Mark, it was amazing to have you in Hong Kong for our big day, both in your capacity as Filmmaker, but more so as our friend. We LOVE the film. Thank you!” – Kaman & Neil

Song used “Lost In You” by LIOR

For my first blog of the new year I would like to present to you the Wedding of Sarah + Paul, who tied the knot recently at the gorgeous Queen’s House, within the Greenwich Observatory! I have said before that all my little movies are beyond a “style”, they are tailored in the energy of the couple, and this proves it! Everything came together so organically in the edit… and I am over the moon with the final cut.

A rock’n Roll bride if ever I met one! Sarah was one cool gal, Paul was one slick fella and their wedding was one amazing soiree! Photography was by the wildly talented Andrea Ellison.

“I LOVE this film…you completely captured who they were. Amazing work from an amazing wedding. You are fabulous and what you provide is so unique, every bride should have on.” – Andrea Ellison

“SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! It is amazing! I love it! Lots of twirling and funkiness! Gah! I adore it! It is truly wonderful! Thank you so much Mark!” – Sarah

Song used ‘Sucker for your Marketing’ by Sarah Jaffe