JohnMark Abela

Have you ever had that dream where you’re grabbing a bowl of popcorn and kicking back on a couch, getting ready to watch a movie, but as the credits section pops up, it begins to brandish your name as the producer and director of that movie? exhilarating right? Enough to send a cold shiver up your spine. JohnMark Abela is one of such persons who dared to have that dream. But unlike most, he wasn’t comfortable just sitting around and twiddling his thumbs. He was determined to battle through every setback and leap over every hurdle, just to make his dream a reality. Today he is a professional cinematographer with numerous productions, awards and noteworthy recognitions under his belt.

EARLY BEGINNINGS

JohnMark Abela was born on September 14th 1990, in the Republic of Malta, Europe. That is where he currently resides. He was certainly not one born with a golden spoon, as you may have imagined. He was forced to drop out of secondary school at a young age due to family-related complications. And shortly after that, he chose to work as a deli assistant, just so he could make ends meet, and render some assistance at home. Life, as they say, is not a bed of roses; and JohnMark had to learn that the hard way. But regardless of the obstacles he faced, he was resolved not to give up on his dream. It burned in his heart like a flame that just would not be quenched.
Due to situations beyond his control, he had to follow the footsteps of renowned self-taught filmmakers who never attended film school such as Christopher Nolan, Terry Gilliam and of course, the magnificent Steven Spielberg.
Steven Spielberg stood as one of his greatest inspirations, and role models. If Steven could start off with an 8mm camera and still make it eventually, then JohnMark believed that he could too.
JohnMark began his journey the same way anyone else in his shoes would, YouTube videos! He began to learn the basics of cinematography; how to shoot and edit videos, among other things. And gradually with the measly funds he could raise, he began to acquire the requisite tools and equipment that would enable him to start shooting his own videos. As soon as he got going, he never looked back. The passion in his heart was his propelling force. He knew he couldn’t give up, no matter how hard things got.

INTERESTS AND HOBBIES

John is a dashing 31year old adult male, and he is single –I’m sure the ladies get the hint. He loves hiking, exploring the world, visiting fascinating places, and learning about different cultures and diverse historical events. But above all, he loves to watch movies! It would have been a shocker if that were somehow left out. He garners most of his inspiration and ideas from them.

CASTINGS & FEATURES

Because of his love for the film industry and earnest desire to amalgamate himself with it, he began to take up roles as an extra in big Bollywood and Hollywood movie productions such as; Bharat, Thugs of Hindostan, Jurassic park, Murder of the orient express, just to mention a few. All in hopes of gaining more experience and first-hand knowledge of how the industry worked.
Web series were not left out of the mix either. He starred as an extra in blockbuster series such as; Queen of the south, foundation and genius, and the most recent sequel of Neapolitan, which would hit the box office by the end of the year. His track record makes it very easy to see that he has a resilient and go-getter personality. He knows exactly what he wants, and then he goes for it!

ACHIEVEMENTS

In the course of his journey to date, JohnMark Abela has managed to accrue some notable accolades and victories of whom he very much holds in high regard. But the achievement he holds in the highest esteem, is having finally fulfilled his dream, after so many difficult and painstaking years.
Within the year 2022 alone, he has written, directed and produced two stellar feature-length movies of which are worthy of an Oscar, in my humble opinion. And judging by his determination and zeal, both films will certainly be the first batch of many more to come.
He completed his first film, ‘THE BLOOD NIGHT’, on the 20th of march, 2022. And just four months later, on the 30th of July 2022, he completed his second documentary type-short film “ENVISION”. Both of which are simply magnificent to behold, and also show that regardless of the certification from school, he definitely has the talent.
“When people ask me if I went to film school, I tell them, No, I went to see films.”
-JohnMark Abela

CONCLUSION.

JohnMark Abela's life perfectly depicts the fact that anything is achievable with the right mindset and enough resilience. His incredible feats serve as encouragement and motivation to us all. No dream is too big, and no challenge is too great! Wherever there is hope, there is a way. When asked for a word of advice to anyone with a big dream looking to follow in his footsteps, JohnMark had this to say…
“Right from when I was a kid, I always wanted to make my own movies. Movies help people escape reality for a few hours, which sometimes could be a wonderful distraction from everything that is happening around, almost therapeutic. With passion and determination, I overcame the challenges that stood before me. I did my best to achieve my dream, and today, here I am, I guess.
Keep working and working hard because you will always get better after each project you make. You will learn things you didn’t know before, and after which, you will then add them to other projects. Hence you will effectively and progressively get better over time. Keep working hard, and never stop believing!”
JohnMark Abela, simply a true inspiration and visionary of his time.