Cliff Markham spotlights local media arts

The 4th annual Golden Film Festival launches on March 19 at the Mount 7 Recreation Complex in Golden.

One of the very brightest stars on the Columbia Valley arts scene is Golden’s Cliff Markham, founder and director of the annual Golden Film Festival.

Cliff grew up in Ontario with a business-minded father and an artist mother. His first work experience was as a heavy-equipment operator and manager in the forestry sector. When the industry appeared to be dying out, he went to work for CPRail, where for eight years he was a conductor and manager. During many hours on the rails, the periodic layoffs and a few leaves of absence, he thought long and hard about his future, and when his artistic and business sides took over, he made the decision to learn all there was to know about video. So followed several years of digital production school, and working professionally in production and post-production, all the while keeping his job with CPRail.

After deciding to settle in Golden, Cliff ran a B&B, and made videos for many fundraisers for search and rescue, while maintaining his job at the railway. Working so closely with search and rescue inspired him to hold a year-end party in which many film makers could show their own sports films on the big screen. He got a local pub as a venue, announced the party and sold out in the first 15 minutes! They packed the bar and decided that if they were to do it again, they would need a larger venue. So Cliff chose the largest venue in town — and sold out again!

As if that was not enough, Cliff started up his own video business, Rider Media, ( http://www.ridermedia.ca/ ) as well, but the stress of trying to manage three jobs made him decide to drop the B&B. Then later, in the spring of 2010, in the midst of the economic recession, he crossed his fingers, took a giant leap of faith and left his job at the railway. He has never looked back!

Rider Media is an independent video production and post-production company with an office in Calgary and a studio in Golden. Cliff has travelled all over Canada, working on over 50 productions to date, such as weddings, events, news stories, documentaries, corporate and promotional videos. He has done music gigs, corporate work for CPR, made best practice safety videos, filmed live WHL hockey and reality shows. He also works as a freelancer, filling various positions on movie sets and live television.

Cliff’s latest concept is ‘Kootenay Music Talent’, a web-based video series that introduces Kootenay musicians through bios and artistic performances. Readers may listen to some of the music videos Cliff has produced at: http://www.google.ca/search?q=Kootenay+Music+Talent&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GFRE_en

Cliff only takes on a sustainable number of projects each year to ensure each is given his 100% attention. He feels lucky to be able to work at and make a living at what he is passionate about. His dream is to produce his own TV show.

The 4th Annual Golden Film Festival is about to launch on March 19th, 2011 at the Mount 7 Recreation Complex in Golden.