Life & Work with Mark Starks of Midland

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Starks.

Hi Mark, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Hi! I’m a comic book creator and filmmaker. I love to create and this passion has got me where I am today! I currently have two new projects on the table – the streaming series “Insomnia Theater” and the documentary short, “Martian & Me.”

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s always been a challenge for an indie artist. You are responsible for marketing while still producing great product. Your ultimate goal is to reach millions of fans around the world by sharing your talents and story. This popularity, however, does not come easily; it takes time and commitment to create and promote your art to develop a loyal fan base and achieve success. There’s usually a lack of financing with no guarantee of a return on investment.

The digital age has made comic books and films more popular than they ever were. But it’s also created a saturated market. The key challenge is to produce compelling social media content. An artist must devote a significant amount of time to constantly developing their brand across multiple platforms.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
“Martian & Me” is my story as an indie artist and how I’ve learned to adapt as the comic book industry grows. I created “Martian” in grade school nearly 50 years ago. Along the way, I watched the price of comic books rise from 10 or 12 cents to three dollars or more, and the format evolve from paper to electronic. Embracing change, I now publish “Martian” in several different formats, including video comics, 2D and 3D. “Martian & Me” premiered in July and I’ve been fortunate to already receive a few accolades, including Best Documentary, Best Poster, and Best Voice Actor. The “Martian & Me” poster is currently featured on the Americans for the Arts website as part of National Arts & Humanities Month 2022 in October. Mandi at AFTA has been great in connecting me with local arts organizations to see how we can collaborate to celebrate National Arts & Humanities Month. I’m also working with another organization to send “Martian” into space!

“Insomnia Theater” is a retrospective of cult classic movies. My friend, Hollywood actor Paul Ganus is the narrator. We go behind the scenes and present some little-known facts about some of your favorite films. It’s been a lot of fun to write and produce! Season 1 wrapped in April and Season 2 premieres this Fall. We’re fortunate to have received several international awards, including Best Television Pilot / Program or Series.

More info on both projects can be found at FilmFreeway.com and the Internet Movie Database.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
If you’re a fan of classic movies, check out “Insomnia Theater” at the link below. We offer a 30-day free trial, and if you join our mailing list you’ll have a chance to win some great monthly prizes. You may “gift” a subscription as well! …and by all means, let us know what episodes you would like to see on our Forums page! I think everyone has a favorite cult classic film. When I was a kid, “House on Haunted Hill” (1959) with Vincent Price left quite an impression on me! It was great fun to do a retrospective of it.

I’ve been a guest at comic cons nationwide. If you’re interested in a special screening of “Martian & Me,” please let me know! You can also order a copy on DVD at the link below.

Thanks for your support!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://insomniatheater.vhx.tv/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.starks.9849/
• Other: https://www.trepstar.com/purchase.asp?idprod=383410&mode=itemlist | https://www.americansforthearts.org/events/national-arts-and-humanities-month/poster-competition-gallery?fbclid=IwAR3pT0qD0WZRX6il3AlFfOUVTAaUjYPeyVitRJIAIIiQChDWhRotvbvXdws