Mark Baranowski

Those familiar with Mark Baranowski tend to call him a "Jack of all Trades," or an "all-purpose artiste," and with good reason. He's been a sketch artist and musician for over fifteen years, an author-screenwriter for five, and since September 2001, he's produced, directed and acted in five independent films. Mark states, "It's my impatience that makes me so efficient... I can't wait to finish one project, so I can jump right into another." Born on April 28, 1974 in Buffalo, New York, Mark spent most of his young life with his extremely supportive grandparents. At the same time, he was a rather introverted child; shy, quiet. Realizing at a young age just how cruel this world can be, he found refuge in the form of entertainment--books, art, movies and music. Fictional characters became his closest friends. This alternate reality presented no threat of embarrassment, disappointment, or rejection... here, he could truly be "himself." Rather than hindering him in his later years, this solitude was the fuel for his own creations; he began to write stories and songs, while also dabbling in art. By the late 1980's, Mark began recording his songs in his small home studio. He was obsessed with rap music, and was confident that he could create such great material as his favorite artists; Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and LL Cool J. In 1997, he and a close friend started their own record label, Nickel City Records. It wasn't until then that Mark began releasing his own music. In late 1999, Mark wrote his first screenplay. He managed to acquire the services of a Hollywood manager, who began pitching this and numerous consecutive scripts. After two years and no sales, it was time for Mark to take the advice of actor Bruce Campbell, and stop looking to others in trying to fulfill his dreams... thus, he created On Mark Productions (which dissolved the Nickel City partnership), and started making his own films. Long since "outgrowing" his interest in rap music, he now took more of a liking to techno and contemporary jazz, both of which were prevalent in his own material released during this time. In November 2004, Mark collaborated with his wife, actress-model Ryli Morgan, and their debut self-titled CD as "Awful Goodness" was released just in time for Christmas. For his solo work since, Mark blended his hip-hop roots with a modern techno sound.