Biography
Award winning filmmaker Mark Atkins began his career working on blue chip natural history films for the BBC and National Geographic as an assistant cameraman for his aunt and uncle, acclaimed natural history filmmakers Paul Atkins and Grace Niska Atkins of Moana Productions. Working with Paul and Gracie, Mark was part of the camera team on Moana Productions’ National Geographic specials SECRET KILLERS OF MONTEREY BAY which won a CINE Masters Series Award. Mark received additional photography credit on Moana Productions GREAT WHITE SHARK which won an Emmy Award and Cine Golden Eagle for cinematography.
Atkins was accepted into the University of Central Florida’s Motion Picture Program from which he graduated in 1995 with a B.A. in Motion Picture Production. While still an undergraduate, Atkins wrote, directed and produced his first feature film, the 35mm Southern Gothic mystery, NIGHT ORCHID — Winner of Best First Feature Film at the New Orleans Film Festival and Golden Medallion for Best Feature and Golden Lion for Best of Show at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival. NIGHT ORCHID was picked up for distribution as part of then fledgling distributor, the Asylum’s First Rites Program.
Subsequent to NIGHT ORCHID, Atkins became one of The Asylum’s most in-demand writer-directors and cinematographers, directing fourteen features and serving as cinematographer on over thirty since. To date, Atkins has written thirteen screenplays which have been successfully produced. Atkins has directed eighteen features with subjects ranging from fantasy (MERLIN and the WAR OF THE DRAGONS) to horror (HAUNTING OF WINCHESTER HOUSE), comedy (SAND SHARKS), science fiction (ANDROID COP), action adventure (ALLAN QUATERMAIN) and thrillers (EVIL EYES). His work has taken him across the globe from Rapa Nui, Egypt, Figi, South Africa, Belize, Iceland, Burma and Tierra del Fuego. He shot his first 3D feature film in 2009. Atkins served as underwater cinematographer for 30K LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, the documentary feature INTO THE AIR, and AWAKEN. Atkins also served as cinematographer on DISNEY’s animation live-action hybrid, TAKE 2 with PHINEUS and FERB.
Atkins’ films have been successful in television and film markets worldwide. His Syfy Original Movie, BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES was the third movie of 2011 with over 2 million viewers and the most popular with the 25 to 54 demographic. Many of his films have been the top renters including MERLIN AND THE WAR OF THE DRAGONS ( #41 video rentals in Germany for 2009). In 2010, FIRE DRAGON CHRONICLES: Dragon Quest (#3 in Blu-ray Rental ranking for its German distributor). SAND SHARKS, the #1 title for its German distributor in 2012. Atkins films are consistently top market performers.
