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 Awards 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.
Early life and education
Markle was born and raised in
Toronto,
Ontario.
His father, Jack Markle, and uncle, Sam Markle, are pioneers of
Neon lighting. They created the iconic three-story neon record for Sam The Record Man
and ran The Electric Gallery in Yorkville from 1970 to 1979.
In 1993, Markle graduated from Ryerson University as recipient of the Norman Jewison Filmmaking Award.
Career
Markle directed TV commercials and music videos before taking a creative director position at Showcase, a Canadian TV network, in 1997.
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.
In 2003, Markle moved to Los Angeles.
Camp Hollywood
In 2004, Markle wrote, directed, edited and produced the documentary
Camp Hollywood which had its American broadcast premiere on
Sundance TV.
won a Gemini Award in Canada where it aired on IFC and
CBC Television Television.
follows aspiring actors, comedians and musicians residing at the Highland Gardens hotel,
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
and features cameos by
Mark Margolis and Malin Åkerman.
Testees
In 2008, Markle starred in the FX comedy series
Testees. Markle plays a slacker who works as a human guinea pig.
aired on FX in the U.S.,
the TV network Showcase in Canada,
and on
Comedy Central in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.
Shoot To Marry
In 2020, Markle’s documentary
Shoot To Marry had its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival winning the Audience Award for Breakout Features.
Shoot To Marry had its European premiere at the Raindance Film Festival
and its Canadian premiere at the Canadian Film Festival where it won the award for Best Feature.
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.
Shoot To Marry was released by Gravitas Ventures in the U.S.
Selected awards and nominations
-
2005 Gemini Awards 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)
-
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
-
Camp Hollywood (2004) (Writer/Director/Editor/Producer)
-
Shoot To Marry (2020) (Writer/Director/Editor/Producer)
Television
-
You’ve Got A Friend (2004) (Actor)
-
Testees (2008) (Actor)
-
Razzberry Jazzberry Jam (2008-2011) (Actor)
-
Kenny vs. Spenny Christmas Special (2010) (Actor)
-
Breakout Kings (2011) (Actor)
External links
