Mark Pennell

Highly motivated entertainment creative executive with over 20 years of successfully leading funding, production, and distribution strategies and departments. Proven track record of providing energetic and focused leadership of domestic and international film, television, and stage productions. Armed with extensive personal resources and an 'A-list' contact base built through effective relationship management. Areas of Emphasis . Production Financing & Budgeting . Team Building & Leadership . Casting, Directing, & Creative Direction . Persuasive Contract Negotiations . Screenwriting & Story Development . Domestic & International Distribution . Market Research & Trend Analysis . Staff Recruiting & Training Mark graduated from Monash University (Melbourne) with a Bachelor of Economics. He spent a short time in the financial markets securing a financial dealers license before moving overseas. Early on, Mark spent time in both Los Angeles and London learning about film producing, theatre production and entertainment finance. He worked with Lionel Bart (Oliver, Lock Up Your Daughters), and Cy Coleman (Sweet Charity, City Of Angels). This served as an invaluable apprenticeship for his career in the Entertainment business. Mark's individual Theatre Producer credits include the major theatrical productions of 'Blitz', 'Sweet Charity' 'Fiddler on The Roof'; the original concept production 'Countdown The Musical' of which Mark was co-creator; and most recently Xanadu. Mark has also appeared as an actor in the motion pictures: 'Man From Snowy River II', 'Guests Of The Emperor' (HBO), 'Four Minute Mile', 'On The Beach' and numerous Australian television shows. His movie credits include Producer 'The Real Thing' and Executive Producer of 'Storm Warning' and 'Prey'. Mark was also responsible for the creative development and public issue of 'Clancy Of The Overflow'. In addition, Mark was joint owner and commercial director of Australian Pavilion Operations, which was appointed to staff and operate the $50 million Australian Pavilion at the World Expo in Japan. Mark has written a number of scripts.