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Steve Markle

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Steve Markle

Steve Markle is a Canadian filmmaker, actor, writer, editor and producer best known for Shoot To Marry (2020), Testees (2008), and Camp Hollywood (2004).

Markle won a Gemini Award for his documentary Camp Hollywood in 2005, and won the Slamdance Film Festival Audience Award for Breakout Features for his documentary Shoot To Marry in 2020.[1]

Early life and education

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Markle was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario.[2] His father, Jack Markle, and uncle, Sam Markle, are pioneers of neon art. They created the iconic three-story neon record for Sam The Record Man[3][4] and ran The Electric Gallery in Yorkville from 1970 to 1979.[5]

In 1993, Markle graduated from Ryerson University as recipient of the Norman Jewison Filmmaking Award.[6]

Career

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Markle directed TV commercials and music videos before taking a creative director position at Showcase, a Canadian TV network, in 1997.[7][8] That same year, Markle ran for Mayor of Toronto in the 1997 Toronto municipal election promising origami parking tickets, and magical elves to handle road construction. Markle received 1,244 votes.[9]

In 2003, Markle moved to Los Angeles.[10] He performed at The Hollywood Improv and filmed comedy videos at the Playboy Mansion and the MTV Video Music Awards before taking the starring role in You’ve Got A Friend, a hidden camera show produced by Ashton Kutcher for MTV in 2004.[11][12]

Camp Hollywood

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In 2004, Markle wrote, directed, edited and produced the documentary Camp Hollywood which had its American broadcast premiere on Sundance TV.[13] Camp Hollywood won a Gemini Award in Canada where it aired on IFC and CBC Television.[14] Camp Hollywood follows aspiring actors, comedians and musicians residing at the Highland Gardens hotel,[15][16] in Los Angeles, then a seedy hotel living on past associations with The Rat Pack, Janis Joplin and other rock stars. The documentary, which sees Markle trying to live at the hotel for 60 days in order to become a stand-up star, is considered a cult classic[17][18] and features cameos by Mark Margolis and Malin Åkerman.

Testees

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In 2008, Markle starred in the FX comedy series Testees. Markle plays a slacker who works as a human guinea pig.[19][20] Testees aired on FX in the U.S.,[21] the TV network Showcase in Canada,[22] and on Comedy Central in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.[23]

Shoot To Marry

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In 2020, Markle’s documentary Shoot To Marry had its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival winning the Audience Award for Breakout Features.[24][25] Shoot To Marry had its European premiere at the Raindance Film Festival[26] and its Canadian premiere at the Canadian Film Festival where it won the award for Best Feature.[27] Written, directed, edited and produced by Markle, the documentary follows the filmmaker, heartbroken from a failed Christmas proposal, as he films interesting women on a search for enlightenment and love.[28][29]

Shoot To Marry was released by Gravitas Ventures in the U.S.[30] and by Northern Banner Releasing in Canada where it premiered on Super Channel.[31]

Selected awards and nominations

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  • 2005 Gemini Award for Best Performing Arts Program or Series or Arts Documentary Program or Series: Camp Hollywood (2004)
  • 2005 nomination, Gemini Award for Best Writing in a Documentary Program or Series: Camp Hollywood (2004)
  • 2009 nomination, Canadian Screen Award for Best Comedy Series: Testees (2008)[32]
  • 2020 Slamdance Film Festival Audience Award for Breakout Features: Shoot To Marry
  • 2020 Canadian Film Festival Award for Best Feature: Shoot To Marry

Selected filmography

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  • Camp Hollywood (2004) (Writer/Director/Editor/Producer)
  • Shoot To Marry (2020) (Writer/Director/Editor/Producer)

Television

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References

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  1. ^ Hipes, Patrick (2020-01-31). "Slamdance Film Festival Winners Led By 'Murmur' And 'Residue'". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  2. ^ Hughes, Kim (5 June 2020). "Shoot to Marry: Toronto Filmmaker's Madcap Search for Love Yields Laughs… and Gravity". Original Cin. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  3. ^ "Sam the Record Man sign maker hopes his neon records spin again". thestar.com. 2013-09-08. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  4. ^ Mertens, Max (2017-12-13). "A brief history of the Sam the Record Man sign". NOW Magazine. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  5. ^ "How to get LESS out of Art: The Brothers Markle". ccca.concordia.ca. Retrieved 2021-03-23.
  6. ^ "Steve Markle | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  7. ^ "They're not crackers". Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  8. ^ "Canadian spot production houses". Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  9. ^ "Election Results". Toronto.ca. 22 August 2017.
  10. ^ Scott, Waldo (2017-07-22). "Cinema Smear: Camp Hollywood (2004)". Cinema Smear. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  11. ^ "Steve Markle | TVSA". www.tvsa.co.za. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  12. ^ "Breaking News - FX Picks-Up New Comedy Series "Testees" (Working Titlee) | TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  13. ^ "CAMP HOLLYWOOD – Dennis Schwartz Reviews". 5 August 2019. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  14. ^ "Camp Hollywood". CBC.
  15. ^ "The Highland Gardens History - Highland Gardens Hotel".
  16. ^ "Home". highlandgardenshotel.com.
  17. ^ Camp Hollywood (2004), retrieved 2021-04-18
  18. ^ "The Independent Critic - "Shoot to Marry" Set for Slamdance World Premiere". theindependentcritic.com. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  19. ^ Bellafante, Ginia (2008-10-08). "Two Slackers on Drugs, Reluctantly (Published 2008)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  20. ^ Shales, Tom (2008-10-09). "Tom Shales - 'Kath & Kim' Is a House Of Mirth". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  21. ^ "'Testees': The worst show on TV?". EW.com. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  22. ^ Djukic, Marija. "Testees set for Showcase". Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  23. ^ Find where to watch Testees in Canada, retrieved 2021-04-18
  24. ^ Kay, Jeremy. "Slamdance selection 'Shoot To Marry' finds Canadian distribution (exclusive)". Screen. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  25. ^ McNary, Dave (2020-01-31). "Heather Young's Drama 'Murmur' Wins Top Award at Slamdance Festival". Variety. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  26. ^ Raindance Film Festival 2020 | Shoot to Marry, retrieved 2021-03-08
  27. ^ "Documentary 'Shoot to Marry' and feature 'Queen of the Morning Calm' win Canadian Film Fest awards". thestar.com. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  28. ^ Ahmed, Musanna (2020-02-11). "SHOOT TO MARRY: A Highly Entertaining Journey Of Modern Romance". Film Inquiry. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  29. ^ Knight, Chris (19 June 2020). "Filmmaker seeks mate; not the best listener, but does travel with own sound recordist". National Post. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  30. ^ "Shoot to Marry - Production & Contact Info | IMDbPro". pro.imdb.com. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  31. ^ Townsend, Kelly. "Deals: Northern Banner Releasing, Bell Media, Super Channel". Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  32. ^ "Gemini snub puzzles Corner Gas creator | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 2021-05-02.
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