Mark S Allen talks to CFF

[California Film Foundation]

With the recent I Love Film Mixer, we had an occasion to see Mark S Allen at probably one of the lowest points in his professional life. Still, his style and grace proved what we already knew: He'd be back!

Now Mark has a new gig, a new attitude and some new goodies for YOU! Here he is in a CFF exclusive to talk about it:

Hey Mark,

 

congrats again on landing the new gig with Channel 10. I plan to promote that via our CFF web channels and such. So here are a few questions for ya:

 

1) Congrats on the new gig. When did you know for sure this is what you wanted and what made you decide on this?

 

Well, first off, I had a lot of discussions about possible positions.  Three here in Sacramento, and as well as LA and New York.  Honestly, I really chose Sacramento first.  This is my home and I love it here.  Second, I looked at not just the jobs being discussed, but the potential of the stations and their visions for the future.  ABC10 andTEGNA are really looking ahead at not just what local news can be, but what it should be!    They are about to go through some very exciting and disruptive change, and that excited me.  I wanted to be in on the ground floor of that. If we can pull off half of what we’ve been discussing, it will change the market. 

2) You've said you see this new assignment as a new growth period. How so?

For as long as I've loved broadcasting, I've loved broadcasting technology.   I've always wanted the next amazing gear that allows us to tell the story or move live with the story better.   Having quickly been immersed into TEGNA boot camp, I can tell you that every facet of the future, the way content is gathered and shared will be explored, embraced and when needed- invented.   This company is going to set the standard and continue to do so. 

3) You've always done entertainment and film reporting. Will that continue as a main feature of your work?

I will be creating MOVIE specific content and shows, and continue to do celebrity interviews in NY and LA to gather that; but I'm mostly excited about celebrating people.   I have always a been a Sacramento fan, and champion it around the World; but now, more than ever I have a love of the people of our area-  my biggest plan is to find a way to celebrate them weekly.   We have heroes in our own back yard who make our area, our World a better place in big and sometimes unnoticed ways; I'm going to shine some light on those people as often as possible.

 

4) Are there any surprises you can let us in on? Special projects?

Of coarse there's a movie show, and other projects; and ABC10 mornings is evolving.   I can't be too specific, but I will tell you that I had options to choose from for the next chapter of my life and I chose TEGNA MEDIA because it is the future of TV- and more importantly the way we get and give digital content.   Some VERY exciting things globally are going to be starting right here in Sacramento- at ABC10

 

5) As Sacramento enters its own growth period (new arena, new developments) What is your hope for our city?

 

Sacramento has always been a special city, and in some ways you had to live here- sink your teeth into it to really get that.   I know with absolute certainty that we are entering a time when people all over the World will begin to know it, respect it and we will be a top of mind destination.

6) For any folks who maybe aren't regular viewers of your work or channel 10, why should they check it out?

 

I would say stop by, check it out and keep coming back.   Changes are on the way; mind blowing changes that will make you want to tune in, log on, and be a part of something amazing!

7) You stepped away from 31 during a very serious time in your life. How has this experience changed you and are there any nuggets that perhaps all of us learn from your very personal yet very public journey?

 

They say if an egg is cracked from the outside, life ends.  If it cracks from the inside, life begins.    I suppose I fall into that category.    But in essence,  I had adult beverages at a Christmas party an got behind the wheel of a car under the influence, and was punished for it.  I asked for no special treatment and was given standard sentance; and I'm forever thankful.   For me it wasn't just an arrogent act, but a sign that I was using alchohol to grieve the loss of my mom last year.   I took steps to understand that, fix that; and will be forever changed.    That officer saved my life that night, and I'm thankful.   Some people were critical on social media, and I own and accept their criticism, I deserved that.   Largely however, I recieved overwhelming compassion, understanding, support and encouragement-  I don't know how I can ever repay people for the outreach of love,  but I'm going to spend now until...forever doing so. 

In the time off,  I wrote a book "100 THINGS TO DO IN SACRAMENTO BEFORE YOU DIE," that comes out this fall by REEDY PRESS one of the World's leading destination publshers,  I signed on to produce a major motion picture, and I signed on with ABC10 to create what I know will be the best work I've ever done.

I am blessed, I am thankful, and I am infinitely indebted to this city and it's awesome people.

Thanks Mark! Looking very forward to seeing you on the air REAL soon. Is there a date specific when we'll see you?

 

ABC10 and TEGNA are going easy on me,  I have much to learn, so behind the scenes they're putting me through TEGNA UNIVERSITY-- essentually some of the leading people in electronic entertainment and news are with this group and I'm trying to catch up in short time,  so I'm not on the air every day yet- but soon.    For my first broadcast,  I caught up with Ellen Degeneres and some friends of mine that work at Pixar Animation and went live on the opening day of Finding Dory,  June 18th...hey! I just realized- that was my mom's birthday.   She would have liked that!