Originally from Montana, Mark began his career at the Art Institute of Seattle, having abandoned a romantic notion of wide-open spaces for a rain and coffee infused urban environment; with this aesthetic shift, Mark’s focus on art direction was born.
Grey and wet is great for college angst but was not Mark’s ultimate destination, Los Angeles, the entertainment Mecca, lured him with her sunshine and quirky beauty. Ironically, his first job in the film industry was working on “Twin Peaks,” the beloved, twisted series set in the Northwest. Mark describes it as having greatly affected his understanding of merging conceptual design with the practical elements necessary for designing in film. He then worked on the blockbuster, “Titanic,” where he honed his skills in model building and special effects, and dressed sets for “Northern Exposure, ” and the film “Being John Malkovich.” These unusual projects set the tone for Mark’s original and compelling future projects.
Today, representation for Set Design, Art Direction, and Prop Styling, Mark Helf is via the esteemed Rex Agency. Collaborating with the industry’s top photographers and directors has taught Mark to keep a level head under stressful situations and to always trust his gut when it comes to design. His diverse broadcast, editorial and advertising portfolio is evidence of this perspective.