We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Bade a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mark, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I wrote a novel called Glorify The Girl (Available on Amazon) and decided to write/direct/self-finance a sequel in Pilot/Film format. Production started in 2019 and I have 20% left to complete with my incredible team.

The project is about a writer’s stolen book and what awaits in dimensions from beyond.

My team is prolific and hand selected. Highlights include Jade Christensen of Look Vintage on costume design, Drinking Flowers & Alexander Galindo of Arthouse Studio composing our original soundtrack, Lexi Stellwood & Nina Kaze giving brilliant performances, Matthew Boman and Jon D’Avolio as cinematographers and Mark Dethrow and Megan Badger providing storyboards and set art for the piece.

Gene Brion is doing a great job as producer.

The aesthetics are gorgeous, colorful and highly thought out. Stanley Kubrick is my main influence in terms of cinema.

Join The Birds is an adventure narrative aimed for festivals and television once we have a final cut.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I work professionally in multiple industries. I’m an Actor, Filmmaker and Art Gallery Gallerist.

I got my start performing at The Second City Hollywood and as second assistant to Richard N. Gladstein- the producer of Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. I opened for the likes of Keegan Michael-Key and Sam Richardson while at The Second City and produced digital content for the theater’s online channel, The Second City Network. I was on the short list to run The Second City new media department with my comedy partner at the time- Choni Francis. Nearly holding that position was a sign to continue on.

Soon after, I signed commercially with Clear Talent Group, an amazing agency based in Los Angeles. Early on, I got a callback from Jerry Seinfeld for an Acura campaign he was writing. Barry Sonnenfeld was directing. It was another sign to stay committed.

From then on I have consistently acted in massive campaigns for the likes of Google, Hyundai, Subway, U.S. Marines, Tide and many more. I traveled across the country and world for some of these jobs. I’ve been cast and have worked with heavyweight directors Tim and Eric, The Snorri Bros, Sebastian Strasser, Nicolai Fuglsig, Aaron Stoller and Matias Moltrasio within this work. Award winning production companies such as LANDIA, Radical Media and The Director’s Bureau have handled a selection of these projects I’ve worked on.

I’m also signed with TalentPlus in St. Louis, Missouri. We have booked big campaigns for Energizer, The Gateway Arch and AAO- which received 10 million views and a featured article in ADWEEK. Coolfire Studios, Bruton Stroube and Unbridled Media are worldclass production companies I’ve enjoyed working with in that brilliant market.

With the art world, I love working at TAG Gallery on Wilshire Blvd in LA and Gallery 612 in Santa Monica. I’m a Gallerist at both of these spaces where my job is to sell art and promote our artists. I host receptions at TAG once to twice a month with the genius team there.

I’ve had the honor to work with artists The Qwiett and Bob Chew this year. I got my start in the art world as a Gallery Attendant at The St. Louis Art Museum and Mildred-Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University. It was a divine experience to be around masterpieces on a daily basis. Both collections include works by Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol and Max Beckmann. I plan to open my own fine art gallery one day in LA.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love the conception of idea to finished result. My work in music is a good example of this.

I love the process that goes into recording music. I have a band called MY SOUL IN ROME. Performing our songs live is one of the most rewarding experiences I get to have as a creative.

I also specialize in Rock Photography. I did a shoot for Dream Pop band Magic Wands at my suite at The Chateau Marmont in recent years. The image was published in Post-Punk.com. It’s amazing to service great groups and get the work on high end platforms. It starts with a conversation and idea- its eventually there for the world to enjoy.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to bring the audience into a space of pure inspiration. I want my work to awaken the senses of all who look on and listen. My goal is to celebrate the endless magic of our universe.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bade237, @jointhebirdsofficial & @mysoulinrome
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@MarkBade

Image Credits
Profile Photo by Jade Christensen of Look Vintage Upload 1 (Join The Birds) Upload 2 (Join The Birds) Upload 3 (Magic Wands Shot by Mark William Bade) Upload 4 (TAG Gallery & My Soul In Rome Performing) Upload 5 (Gallery 612) Upload 6 (Mark William Bade Hosting At Second City) Upload 7 (Commercial work by Mark William Bade) Upload 8 (Commercial work by Mark William Bade