Mark Daniel Dunnett is a distinguished composer who has received numerous accolades for his work. He is particularly recognized for his score in the critically acclaimed drama feature film “Papa,” which features a notable cast including Paul Sorvino, Daryl Hannah, Robert Scott Wilson, Ann Margret, David Proval, Vincent Pastore, Michael Madsen, and Mischa Barton. His composition for “Papa” garnered him three awards for Best Original Score at various festivals, along with three additional nominations.
As he embarks on the year 2025, Mark has already achieved significant success with two awards for his outstanding score in the feature film “Escobank.” This remarkable achievement includes the prestigious title of Best Composer from the renowned PAMAs (Paris Art & Film Awards) and the esteemed Best Score award from the Pisa, Italy Cinema Carnival International Film Festival. These accomplishments not only underscore Mark’s exceptional abilities but also bode well for his future endeavors in the industry.
Throughout his career, Mark has composed music for more than 70 films, which encompasses over 45 feature films, as well as shorts, trailers, television series, and commercials. His work has been showcased on platforms such as AMC, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Famous Players, Universal/NBC, BET, YouTube, and Google Play, among others.
Born in Toronto Canada, Mark’s interest in music started when he was twelve years old after he appropriated his father’s guitar. Practicing ten hours a day for many years, He then played and performed in various bands, with a focus on guitar instrumental music.
Enrolled at the Royal Conservatory of Music, Mark eagerly studied for two years, with a focus on classical theory, harmony and piano. The Royal Conservatory was the beginning of Mark’s musical education, which ultimately led him to Boston’s fabled Berklee College of Music, where he earned a B.A. in Film Scoring and Composition. While at Berklee, Mark studied under the late world renowned Harvard and Berklee professor and classical composer John Bavicchi. During this time, He was also featured in Guitar World Magazine’s prestigious Mike Varney Home Town Heroes column, for outstanding guitar instrumental composition.
Mark has scored and recorded orchestral music with live ensembles and full orchestras. The film scores to “EscoBank” “Papa” and “Ambition’s Debt” were both recorded live with full orchestra with the F.R.A.M.E.S project orchestra in Macedonia.
Mark, is a multi instrumentalist proficient in guitar ( electric, acoustic classical and dobro), piano, ukulele, bass, and mandolin.
In early 2016, Mark received his U.S. extraordinary ability work visa and has since relocated to Los Angeles to further his film scoring career.
Testimonials
“Mark is one of the most prolific, talented and versatile composers working today. As lead composer, he’s created entire scores for numerous lauded independent projects. He has an innate knowledge of what music fits with what genres, so he can perfectly match his score with the action on screen. He’s tasteful, prolific, and a master of multiple instruments, which allowed him to not only write the score for my film, but to perform it as well. Working with Mark has been a treat; he’s the epitome of a professional composer.” Dir. Katarzyna Kochany (A Director’s Journey: Hurricane McLean, Horse For Sale )
Katarzyna Kochany, Director
“Mark’s talent as a composer is unique as he has both an exceptionally broad scope of musical talents, and a complete understanding of the language of film and how to touch upon the very specific emotional beat of a scene.”Dir. John Bevilacqua ( My Funny Valentine, Boardwalk Poets)
John Bevilacqua, Director
““No matter how abstract my musical request may be, Mark effortlessly interprets my needs and produces masterwork. Not only is he talented but he is an absolute delight to work with.” Executive Producer, Tanya Nesi, (Real Image Productions Dubai)
Tanya Nesi, (Real Image Productions Dubai)
