Mark Hensley
He is the man behind The Man Who Loved Flowers Dollar Baby Film.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a little bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Mark Hensley: I have worked in the audio post industry for 25 years as a re-recording mixer. In 2018 I recieved an Emmy for my work on Genius Picasso.
SKSM: When did you know you wanted to become a filmmaker?
Mark Hensley: I honestly never thought about becoming a film maker until last year. After working in the film and TV industry for so long, I think I had a pretty good idea of what good content looks like.
SKSM: When did you make The man who loved flowers? Can you tell me a little about the production? How much did it cost? How long did it take to film it?
Mark Hensley: We filmed The Man Who Loved Flower two weeks ago. The cost was pretty minimal, about $1000. We did a two day shoot, pulling a lot of favors from friends and film group cohorts.
SKSM: How come you picked The man who loved flowers to develop into a movie? What is it in the story that you like so much?
Mark Hensley: The reason I picked this particular story is the minimal cast and the lack of special effects requirements. Also the story has a lot of room for interpretation. The original story works really well in print, but I think that critical story points gets lost when translated literally to film. I asked my wife Peggy, who is a writer to work on it, and she wrote an excellent adaptation.
SKSM: How did you find out that King sold the movie rights to some of his stories for just $1? Was it just a wild guess or did you know it before you sent him the check?
Mark Hensley: I had read about this a few years ago and it stuck in my mind. When I got a bit more confident as a director I made the decision to pursue it.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when you made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Mark Hensley: My wife laying in the alley as the dead body.
SKSM: How does it feel that all the King fans out there can’t see your movie? Do you think that will change in the future? Maybe a internet/dvd release would be possible?
Mark Hensley: I hope all his fans get the chance to see it. We will be entering it festivals around the world. Hopefully Stephen King will create a depository for the dollar baby movies that everyone can access.
SKSM: What “good or bad” reviews have you received on your film?
Mark Hensley: No reviews yet. It hasn’t been released yet.
SKSM: Do you plan to screen the movie at a particular festival?
Mark Hensley: Really any festival we can get into.
SKSM: Are you a Stephen King fan? If so, which are your favorite works and adaptations?
Mark Hensley: Yes, I am a big fan. I loved Carrie and Christine as well as The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile and of course Misery.
SKSM: Did you have any personal contact with King during the making of the movie? Has he seen it (and if so, what did he think about it)?
Mark Hensley: No personal contact. He hasn’t seen it yet, but I will certainly let you know when he does
SKSM: Do you have any plans for making more movies based on Stephen King’s stories? If you could pick -at least- one story to shoot, which one would it be and why?
Mark Hensley: We have no plans right now, but I would love to make Mile 81. I just really like the story. I think it is really creepy
SKSM: What are you working on nowadays?
Mark Hensley: Right now I am producing a play and I am planning to start shooting the feature film version this winter.
SKSM: What one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Mark Hensley: I directed my first short last year after never having set foot on a set before. This one was my third.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Mark Hensley: To all the fans out there, if you get the chance to see the film, I hope you enjoy it
SKSM: Would you like to add anything else?
Mark Hensley: Anyone who wants to make a film, but thinks they can’t. Just do it.
