An avid film maker (amateur) since age 16 when I bought my first super 8 camera and projector unit. Made my first film in 1970 for my grade 11 class. The film was about Pollution and the venue was the city of Toronto. Made another film for University of Toronto in 1975 for submission to a class on Communications! It was a first for the professor but I think he liked the idea of not reading yet another boring essay! Being Super 8 film I had to learn to add titles and splice the film tape. Thought I may pursue a career in film but Toronto in the 1970's was not a very active Film Centre - not sure there was even a film school at the time so I simply left the dream behind and pursued a business career. The dream was awakened in 2019 as I was sick of the investment world and wanted to make a change when my grandchildren told me about their background work on big films shooting in Toronto and North Bay. As I was now in my early 60's I thought how lucky they were until they challenged me to join them for a film being shot 20 minutes away in Bracebridge called Christmas at Grand Valley. I figured it was too late for me but agreed to submit - got called and in my first scene was put in the center of a shot with the two child actors...the AD at the end of night said I should be in film but I was still working in financial sector so thought nothing of it. However, having more control of my time as senior management I got back to doing background work with over 20 films in one summer season of 2019, Finally a director told me to get an agent - I did. From 2020 to 2025 I worked in almost 30 films/commercials/podcasts and was introduced to theatre during the actors/writers strike getting the lead in The ODD Couple playing Felix Ungar. You can check out many of my projects on IMDb under my name Mark Soltermann.

I thought I was ready to retire in mid 2025 when it occurred to me the one thing yet to be accomplished was producing, directing. writing and starring in my own film. In June 2025 I began the process and by early October had finished filming, Just Another Bum - a story that is near and dear to me since my childhood. As I write this in Feb. 2026 we are awaiting the final Audio/Post Production work but hope to begin submitting to Film Festivals in late March or early April 2026.

Some would call me lucky.(I am) , but I say I have been greatly blessed for the opportunity to achieve everything since 2020 and now this final pierce of the film making journey for me!

Will my film get accepted to any festivals - maybe not - but I am thrilled to have been able to produce a professional 30 minute "meaningful" film well beyond my prior years of amateur films made just for fun with my family.