MARK LAPWOOD NZCS ACS | Producer | Director | Cinematographer

Mark grew up in New Zealand developing a passion for photography as a youngster. He trained as a sixteen year old Press Photographer, learning the art of storytelling with images.

His career now spans almost thirty years and multiple countries. He's won numerous awards internationally for feature films, commercials, music videos and documentaries.

His passion, commitment and high quality work earned him accreditation with the ACS - Australian Cinematographers Society in 2006, and the NZCS - New Zealand Cinematographers Society in 2021.

‘Eclipse’ his debut short film as Director/Cinematographer shot on the streets of Mumbai won several awards, most notably an AFI (Australian Film Institute) Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Short Film Cinematography’ and ACS Gold for Best Cinematography in a Short Film in 2007.

His work has played at film festivals internationally including Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca, Honolulu, Rhode Island, Palm Springs, Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand, with exhibition screenings at MoMa in New York and the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

Mark returned to New Zealand after living overseas for 20 years to embark on his passion project ‘Soul Places’, bringing a deeper message about the beauty of nature and humanity to the world. He now lives on Waiheke Island with his partner Christine.
You can view 'Eclipse' (9m) here: http://www.marklapwood.com/

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CHRISTINE SPICER | Mark’s Partner | Co-Producer

Mark Lapwood and his passion project ‘Soul Places’ are inseparable, so being Mark’s partner in life involves partnering Soul Places too! As luck would have it Christine’s strong belief in the message of this film is a big part of what connected us in the first place.

As the Founder of Human Design NZ, a professional Leadership Coach, Mentor and facilitator, Christine has drawn on these skills to support Mark in his development of the film. Over the last 8 years she has been his location scout partner travelling throughout New Zealand on the hunt for locations that hold a special magic.

Christine has been off camera as the interviewer of wisdom keepers and behind the scenes as coach, mentor, co-funder, creative collaborator and more.

Christine’s role within Soul Places continues to grow and change as the film unfolds.

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MICHAEL ASKILL | Composer

Michael Askill has composed music for Graeme Murphy’s Sydney Dance Company (“Free Radicals”, “Salome”, “Air and Other Invisible Forces”) as well as occasions such as the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics, the Opening of the National Museum of Australia and a recent New York launch for Tiffany & Co.

He has a number of solo CDs and contributed to the “Buddha-Radiant Awakening” CD released as part of the current exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW.

He is Artistic Director of Synergy Percussion, Australia’s longest established contemporary music ensemble whose recent performances include appearances in Hannover for Expo 2000 and festivals in Warsaw and Geneva in 2001.

He was Musical Director for the Reconciliation Concert in the Sydney Opera House and in October 2001 was Musical Director of “pulse:heart:beat”, a Melbourne Festival concert in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Michael was formerly Principal Percussionist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Head of the Percussion Department at the Canberra School of Music.

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