Shaping the Shadows
This is the true story of how a shy, timid boy, debilitated by severe asthma, made his way through life, including fifty years of self-employment in the film industry.
Author: Mark Littlewood
ISBN: 9798356235245
Paperback
Published: 2022
Reviews:
Murray Grigor O.B.E. Director of Edinburgh Film Festival(10yrs.), Professor of Film Studies at Anglia’s Ruskin University, Hon.Doc of Arts, Director of Channel 4 Television and Member of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission.
‘………really outstanding Mark. You have chronicled in your own Story what’s grown into the filmmaking centre we have today.
Eric Coulter. BAFTA and two Emmy Awards. Producer of the first eighteen episodes of the BBC flagship series, ‘Shetland’
‘A well written personal story about one man’s career in independent film and tv in Scotland and beyond. It is very clear in the story telling of Littlewood’s commitment to and love of visual story telling. It is also a great history of the time when the independent sector was forming in Scotland and beyond. …… Some great photographs are placed throughout the book. Anyone interested in visual story telling or the reality of getting programmes made should read this book’.
Iain Smith O.B.E. Chair of The British Film Commission, Chair of the Film Skills Council, Chair of Film Industry Training Board.
‘I thoroughly enjoyed your excellent book. An amazing achievement……..Congratulations a lot of dedicated work paying off in an excellent record of our industry. I am hugely impressed(especially as you didn’t get an English O level)’.
Kay Foubister. Curator of the Moving Image Archive, National Library of Scotland.
‘This autobiography is a fantastic personal account of the dreams, difficulties and determination of a film maker. It is beautifully illustrated with a variety of images and includes a detailed Filmography. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the film industry.’
Robbie B.
‘Once a bullied school child, now an award-winning Lighting Cameraman/director, Mark offers a fascinating account of his life in the independent film industry……….His story moves from eager attempts to make the pouring of concrete look exciting in Cinema Shorts(construction of the Tay Road Bridge) to documentaries featuring Olympic Champions, International football managers, world famous artists and musicians, to network television drama. Alongside huge technological change it is his struggle to train himself …….that is the driving force of his career. This book provides a valuable lesson that self-belief and a constant willingness to work at a craft are the real tools to success in the volatile media industry'.
Louis Kramer
‘An inspiring book by Mark Littlewood from his early childhood to becoming one of the most respected filmmakers in Scotland and the U.K. A very personal account of his life and career and the many obstacles he had to overcome. I found it very hard to put this book down’.