In the Fall of 2002, I had an epiphany of sorts. In late 2001 I got the opportunity to produce a video for IONA College that celebrated the lives of 15 alumni who perished on September 11th. The project lasted 5 months and culminated with a black tie affair at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City where the video was presented. The reception that the video received, most especially from the families of the victims, was overwhelming and had a profound effect on me and the path my career would take.

Following the IONA project it became clear that the work I did in the future would have to impact peoples lives in some emotional and spiritual way. I had always enjoyed making videos for family and friends in my spare time. Weddings, memorials, tributes, births and pretty much any important life-event led to a video of some sort. Not only did I (and still do) enjoy making these videos, I always felt incredibly fulfilled when I presented them. I had a name for these little side projects, I called them "People Stories."

Now, thanks to the wonders of digital technology and the skills I've honed as an award winning producer and editor, it has now become feasible to devote myself to PeopleStories full time. My goal with PeopleStories is to move beyond merely documenting an event or person but to get to the soul of them. I strive to create films that are entertaining, profound and deeply impactful. Within every person, company or significant event there's a story to be told, it's just a matter of having the right person to tell it. I am your storyteller and I will treat your story as if it were my own.

Mark Fortgang