SHOOTING GALLERY•STAY SAFE

During the well-attended event at Camerimage 2022 to raise money and awareness about the Mark Milsome Foundation (MMF), Andra Milsome gave a deeply-moving speech remembering her husband, camera operator Mark, whose life was cut short after a tragic accident on-set. She kindly allowed Cinematography World to reprint her words, in the hope that safety on-set remains a top-priority for everyone, everywhere…

“They broke the mould when they created Mark… you will not find one friend or colleague who will say any different.

Mark was a special man, he brought so much joy with him, he was an inspiration to so many.

He was my best friend and soul mate. He was an amazing husband and a wonderful father.

Not only was Mark immensely talented, humble and always made you smile with his infectious laugh, he was also one of the kindest, funniest and most generous-hearted souls.

The world is a poorer place without him and we are all at a loss.

Thank you all for coming tonight. What can I say…? Tomorrow will be five years since Mark was killed. He would be so honoured, humbled and truly touched to receive all this attention; something he forever shied away from!

Mark will never be able to show his full creative potential to the world. He started, but had his life cut-off in his prime by such an avoidable tragedy.

It’s vital that more accountability and better health and safety practices are put into place, and that these become not only standardised, but mandatory.

No more cost cutting! No more cutting corners! Every single person should be able to come home safely at the end of each working day.

Production needs to make sure that this is possible. No one should ever die for the sake of a shot.

A huge thank you to Mark Purvis, and everyone from Mission Digital here tonight, for all the support they’ve shown to me and our daughter, Alice.

Also, to all of you in the wider film and TV community, who have supported us in creating a legacy in his memory that is the MMF – Mark Milsome Foundation.

Mark… we all miss you.