2nd Feature Film Selected to be Pitched at Torino Film Industry, 2023, in Italy

The Queer Actor (working title)

Recently traumatized by a violent incident on a New York sitcom set, American actor Lou Karagiannis journeys to Portugal to shoot a buzzy historical drama at a Portuguese palace in the mountains with a crew of local villagers, a British pop star, and a disgraced American auteur director all plunging into the hellscape of indie filmmaking haunted by a mysterious ancient entity.

Episode 5 of THE FRANCHISE OF THE FRANCHISE "The Casting Assistant"

Starring Lolly Adefope as Dag and Mark Blane as Abram

Overzealous casting assistant, Abram, brings in a bartender, Dag (who has gone viral from denying Kathy Bates service), to play a massive role in a new superhero franchise. After fighting the role's height requirement, the two of them become overnight activists in the "authenticity" and "representation matters" movements. Both rise to stardom, but it all comes crashing down the day they are supposed to attend the Kids Choice Awards when Dag's offensive new video gets leaked.

Episodes 1 and 2 are out! "The Franchise of the Franchise

YOU GUYS! I'm excited to share this with you, as I attempt to get seen by Armando Iannucci, Sam Mendes, and the rest of the brilliant folks behind the new HBO show The Franchise.

So my new series...budgeted at $17 (so far) across the first 3 episodes is called The Franchise of The Franchise (inspired by the future, yet-to-be shot HBO show). Why did I do this? You can read all about that over on Instagram at this post.

Per the Deadline announcement:

The Franchise follows a hopeful crew trapped inside the dysfunctional, nonsensical, joyous hellscape of franchise superhero moviemaking. If and when they finally make the day, there’s a question they must face: Is this Hollywood’s new dawn or cinema’s last stand? Is this a dream factory or a chemical plant?

Episodes 1 and 2 are below. Featuring hilarious folks like Richard E. Grant and Billy Magnussen and ME. :) Get involved. Like, share, send it to your friends, send it to your dentist. Just like me, okay!?

#hbo #thefranchise #billymagnussen #richardegrant #markblane #marvel #dc #satire #filmmaking #comedy #avenue5 #veep #deathofstalin #dialectcoach #filmmaking #episodic #comedy #darkhumour #hustle #showbiz #thebiz

cc: #ArmandoIannucci #SamMendes #AllisonJones #JonBrown #NicolasBrown #PippaHarris #JuliePastor #KeithAkushie #MarinaHyde #JimKleverweis

Mark in new play reading "Bocking" at HB Studios / NYC

Mark read as “Peer Day” in a reading of the new play BOCKING by Preston Crowder directed by Stevie Walker Webb in May 2022. Casting by Victor Vazquez, CSA of X Casting.

Daniel Lewinstein's THE APOLOGY starring Mark Blane

Mark plays the lead character of “David” in the new short drama, THE APOLOGY, which was shot in Dover, MA in April 2021.

Take a look at some of the first stills!

DP: Jun Kuromiya

Indy Film Fest, Podcast, and Poland!

Mark’s feature film, CUBBY, just made a distribution deal with Poland! More details coming soon!

Also, GHOST BIKE just finished a 3 week streaming engagement in competition at the Indy Film Fest in Indianapolis, IN. A Q&A with fellow producer and actress, Carly Blane, occurred with other filmmakers from around the world.

And lastly, Mark was the main interview for a new podcast MY LIFE IS A FILM FESTIVAL. Now streamable on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you get your podcasts!

“In the inaugural episode of My Life is a Film Festival, filmmaker Mark Blane joins host Eric Bilitch to discuss- among other things- growing up gay in rural Indiana, major influences in creating his breakout feature film debut, Cubby, and why a solitary double feature in Copenhagen is his most memorable cinema experience.

Start your week off right by joining host filmmaker Eric Bilitch every Monday for a new interview with a film industry professional. We’ll discuss their life, creative journey, and career- all while curating each guests’ own personal FILM FESTIVAL.”
— Audible
Source: https://www.audible.com/pd/item_name-Podcast/episodes/B08JJPN7BF

"Ghost Bike" World Premieres at the Academy Qualifying Pan African Film Festival

Mark directed, wrote, and acts in this 20 minute film alongside Tamara Tunie, Mike Doyle, and fellow producer, Carly Blane. The film is executive produced by Jenna Mack and Charles Tolbert. Edited by Max Ethan Miller. Original Score by Jon Natchez and Sound Mix/Design by Pulsar Studios.

The festival takes place from Feb 28-March 14 virtually. Tickets and more info can be found at www.Paff.org