The British Film & Television industry has been deeply shocked by the loss of our much loved friend & very talented Operator Mark Milsome. Without doubt tributes will continue to be received for some time, but the ACO would like to share these early words received from Chris Plevin and David Worley.
I first worked with Mark on Four Weddings and a Funeral. His great enthusiasm, respect for the job and an upbeat and cheerful nature instantly made him my favourite loader, and we worked together for the next eight years almost without a break.
Our last film in these roles was Mary Reilly. A somewhat troubled film, but in one of the lighter moments I will always remember Julia Roberts grabbing Mark whilst his hands were in the changing bag beside the set and covering his neck with kisses, while he grew increasingly red and flustered, as he tried valiantly to ignore the distraction and thread film into the magazine!
When I moved to operating after Mary Reilly, he moved up to focus puller and our first film together in our new roles was the wonderful Brassed Off. Our trainee on Mary Reilly, Harry Bowers, took on the job of loader and we were off for another run of five or six films together.
In 2000 he Operated the only feature film I’ve lit – 24 Hours in London, a low budget gangster film – and did a great job! (It was very big in Japan, apparently).
I remember meeting Mark some time later, soon after he had permanently moved up to Operator and his eyes gleamed with pleasure as he talked of the immense satisfaction he got from the job.
In 2015 Mark and I worked together as Operators with the White Walker unit on Game of Thrones over several months towards the end of season six. He was as I had always remembered him, full of life and energy, with a wry sense of humour, and an underlying steely determination to get the job done in the best possible way.
He was a great natural raconteur and storyteller, with a conspiratorial air that drew you in to the story, which usually ended in gales of laughter and giggling. But he also had the rare quality of really being able to listen with great interest to what other people had to say, and react with intelligence, sympathy, support and loyalty. This made him much loved and his generous and open nature gained him many friends.
He really was one of the good guys and the world and all of us left in it who knew him are poorer for his passing. Our sympathies are with his family, whom he loved, and talked of often, and who will miss him every day. Goodbye Mark, it was an honour to have known you.
Chris Plevin
REMEMBERING MARK
Although I’d known his father Doug for many years, I first met Mark Milsome on “Cliffhanger” in Italy when he was the B camera loader and the last time was in Belfast two years ago where we were both Operating on separate units of “Game of Thrones” and, occasionally, working together.
At the time of writing the exact circumstances of his death are not known – only that his life and career have been so tragically cut short, leaving behind a deeply grieving family, together with friends and colleagues.
He was undoubtedly one of the most amiable of technicians that I’ve encountered in the camera department: very kind, a true “ gentle man”, treating everything with good humour and always ready with that infectious laugh.
I remember vividly, sitting with him in a bar in Rome twenty five years ago, the two of us giggling like schoolboys as we made up different, and quite outlandish, versions of rhyming slang.
Obviously he’ll be greatly missed for the talent and expertise that he brought, as a team player, to many productions – “ The Durrells” is a fine example – but, above all, for being one of the nicest guys on – and off – a film set.
Although our paths didn’t cross often enough – the nature of our business – I shall always remember Mark with great affection.
And what was most remarkable about him was that, in all the years that I’ve known him, I never heard him once have a bad word to say about anyone – surely the greatest testament to someone working in the hard-nosed British film and television industry.
David Worley
