Skip to content
Motif

Mark Atkins

Cinematographer, director, editor and writer, also producer and composer

Award winning filmmaker Mark Atkins began his career working on blue chip natural history films for the BBC and National Geographic as an assistant cameraman for his aunt and uncle, acclaimed natural history filmmakers Paul Atkins and Grace Niska Atkins of Moana Productions. Working with Paul and Gracie, Mark was part of the camera team on Moana Productions’ National Geographic specials SECRET KILLERS OF MONTEREY BAY which won a CINE Masters Series Award. Mark received additional photography credit on Moana Productions GREAT WHITE SHARK which won an Emmy Award and Cine Golden Eagle for cinematography. Atkins was accepted into the University of Central Florida’s Motion Picture Program from which he graduated in 1995 with a B.A. in Motion Picture Production. While still an undergraduate, Atkins wrote, directed and produced his first feature film, the 35mm Southern Gothic mystery, NIGHT ORCHID — Winner of Best First Feature Film at the New Orleans Film Festival and Golden Medallion for Best Feature and Golden Lion for Best of Show at the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival. NIGHT ORCHID was picked up for distribution as part of then fledgling distributor, the Asylum’s First Rites Program. Subsequent to NIGHT ORCHID, Atkins became one of The Asylum’s most in-demand writer-directors and cinematographers, directing fourteen features and serving as cinematographer on over thirty since. To date, Atkins has written thirteen screenplays which have been successfully produced. Atkins has directed eighteen features with subjects ranging from fantasy (MERLIN and the WAR OF THE DRAGONS) to horror (HAUNTING OF WINCHESTER HOUSE), comedy (SAND SHARKS), science fiction (ANDROID COP), action adventure (ALLAN QUATERMAIN) and thrillers (EVIL EYES). His work has taken him across the globe from Rapa Nui, Egypt, Figi, South Africa, Belize, Iceland, Burma and Tierra del Fuego. He shot his first 3D feature film in 2009. Atkins served as underwater cinematographer for 30K LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, the documentary feature INTO THE AIR, and AWAKEN. Atkins also served as cinematographer on DISNEY’s animation live-action hybrid, TAKE 2 with PHINEUS and FERB. Atkins’ films have been successful in television and film markets worldwide. His Syfy Original Movie, BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES was the third movie of 2011 with over 2 million viewers and the most popular with the 25 to 54 demographic. Many of his films have been the top renters including MERLIN AND THE WAR OF THE DRAGONS ( #41 video rentals in Germany for 2009). In 2010, FIRE DRAGON CHRONICLES: Dragon Quest (#3 in Blu-ray Rental ranking for its German distributor). SAND SHARKS, the #1 title for its German distributor in 2012. Atkins films are consistently top market performers.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Works as
Cinematographer, director, editor and writer, also producer and composer
Titles
52 on Motif · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Up 55% in 30 days

What are Mark Atkins' films like?

Across their 50 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Bonds.

Genres

Action38 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 1st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 3rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Horror movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 5th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
48%
Bonds
15%
Morality
12%
Society
7%
Power
6%
Ideas
6%
Self
6%
Survival34 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds11 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFaith4 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 50 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 22 · Serious 18 · Dark 10

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 33 · Stylized 15 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 11 · Charged 28 · Intense 11

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 21 · Shifting 28 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 32 · Some laughs 14 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 21 · Even-paced 25 · Relentless 4

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 37 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 2

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 44 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
42
Thrilling
27
Dread
13
Absurd
17
Hopeful
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Fun22 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteInfuriating8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy18
  • Bittersweet18
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous11
  • Other1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Mark Atkins' films?

As of October 24, 2026, all 52 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (49).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Mark Atkins' titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 52 with a Motif page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Romance at Hope Ranch(2026)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Road Wars: Max Fury(2024)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Weapon(2023)

    Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Twisted Vines(2022)

    Cinematographer · Producer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Shark Season(2020)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Fast and Fierce: Death Race(2020)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Final Level: Escaping Rancala(2019)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Big Kill(2019)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Monster Island(2019)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • DWB: Dating While Black(2018)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Empire of the Sharks(2017)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • 6-Headed Shark Attack(2018)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Alien Siege(2018)

    Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Jurassic School(2017)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • In the Name of Ben Hur(2016)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Planet of the Sharks(2016)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • David and Goliath(2016)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Martian Land(2015)

    Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Awaken(2015)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Screenplay · Story

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Road Wars(2015)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Dragons of Camelot(2014)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • P-51 Dragon Fighter(2014)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Android Cop(2014)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Die schlechtesten Filme aller Zeiten (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Cinematographer

  • Knight of the Dead(2013)

    Director · Cinematographer · Co-Writer · Editor · Producer · VFX Artist

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Jack the Giant Killer(2013)

    Director · Cinematographer · Screenplay · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Dragon Wasps(2012)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Mrs Biggs (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    Editor

  • Alien Origin(2012)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Battle Force(2012)

    Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Sand Sharks(2012)

    Director · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Dragon Crusaders(2011)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Battle of Los Angeles(2011)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Writer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus(2010)

    Thanks

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Milf(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Airline Disaster (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Editor

  • Titanic II(2010)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Princess of Mars(2009)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor · Screenplay · VFX Artist

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • 2012: Supernova(2009)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Haunting of Winchester House(2009)

    Director · Cinematographer · Visual Effects · Writer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Land That Time Forgot(2009)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Transmorphers: Fall of Man(2009)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Terminators(2009)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Dragonquest(2009)

    Director · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Merlin and the War of the Dragons(2008)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • 100 Million BC (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2008)

    Editor

  • Allan Quatermain and the Temple of Skulls(2008)

    Director · Cinematographer · Editor

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • 2012: Doomsday(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Journey to the Center of the Earth(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • AVH: Alien vs. Hunter(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Freakshow(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • 30,000 Leagues Under the Sea(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Halloween Night(2006)

    Director · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Snakes on a Train(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • When a Killer Calls (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    Cinematographer

  • Exorcism: The Possession of Gail Bowers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    Cinematographer

  • Evil Eyes(2004)

    Director · Cinematographer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Land Has Eyes (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    First Assistant Camera · Second Assistant Camera

  • Night Orchid (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Director · Editor · Producer · Writer · as Slash

  • Great White Shark - The Silent Stalker (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Assistant Camera

Career shape

A full career of 55 titles from 1995 to 2024.

Biggest box office

David and Goliath (2016)

$1.6K worldwide

Highest rated

Big Kill (2019)

Midcredits 31st

Most popular right now

The Weapon (2023)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting1 of 55: 0 only acting, 1 with another roleDirecting26 of 55: 0 only directing, 26 with another role · typical Midcredits score1stWriting20 of 55: 3 only writing, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score1stProducing2 of 55: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleMusic1 of 55: 0 only music, 1 with another roleCinematography44 of 55: 17 only cinematography, 27 with another role · typical Midcredits score1stEditing21 of 55: 4 only editing, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score1stOther crew6 of 55: 3 only other crew, 3 with another role

55 titles, 28 with more than one role — cinematography and directing overlap on 25 of them.

By decade

1990s2 · 1 acting · 2 crew2000s19 · crew2010s30 · crew2020s4 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored.

How do Mark Atkins' films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 1st percentile, the median of all 52; across their 50 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 3rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

3rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Approval · how many liked their films

1stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Reach · how many have seen their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Midcredits score across 52 titles, by percentile

  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th50

Shape of the crowd

42 of their 52 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Panned9
  • Divisive1
  • Mixed42

Most divisive · cinematographer

DWB: Dating While Black (2018)

95th percentile spread · 72% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

Romance at Hope Ranch (2026)

Midcredits 43rd · 41% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 28/100 in their films, across 43 reviewed titles; fans 49, detractors 21. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Mark Atkins' work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 Motif titles with content scores, 1 of the 4 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 61 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles14–74 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 48 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Mark Atkins work with?

People who share at least 2 of Mark Atkins' Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; David Michael Latt shares the most, 36.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles