Meet Mark Hamer

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mark Hamer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Mark with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I get my work ethic from my parents. My dad was a steelworker and my mom was a preschool teacher, and I grew up in a blue-collar, industrial city where hard work wasn’t something you talked about—it was just how life operated. Showing up, doing the job right, and taking pride in the work were simply expected. That environment shaped me early on. Working hard felt normal, not exceptional, and I honestly didn’t know any other way to approach life or my career.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My career has been shaped by a desire to tell grounded, human stories—ones that live at the intersection of grit, passion, and perseverance. At Crash Cat Media Group, that philosophy drives everything we do. We’re a film development and production company focused on both documentary and narrative work, often centered on subcultures, athletes, artists, and individuals who live outside the mainstream but embody discipline, sacrifice, and purpose.

What inspires us is authenticity. We’re drawn to people who commit fully to their craft or way of life, whether that’s in sports, art, survival, or personal reinvention. We don’t chase spectacle for its own sake—we aim to earn emotional truth through time, trust, and presence. That approach carries across all of our projects, from intimate vérité documentaries to character-driven scripted films.

In 2026, we’re releasing two feature documentaries that really reflect that ethos. One explores the world of professional dance and cheerleading, focusing on the physical demands, mental resilience, and unseen dedication required at the highest level. The other follows a severe survivalist, examining what it truly means to live outside modern systems and the psychological and emotional costs—and rewards—of that choice.

At the same time, we’ve begun pre-production on a scripted feature film that is slated to go into production in February 2026, marking an exciting next chapter as we continue to balance nonfiction storytelling with narrative filmmaking.
Crash Cat Media Group is a partnership at its core. I run the company alongside my longtime business partner, Rich Maurer, whose work in sound, post-production, and creative development is essential to how we operate. Together, we’ve built a company rooted in trust, craftsmanship, and a shared belief in telling stories that matter—stories with teeth, heart, and staying power.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three things that had the biggest impact on my journey were continued education, humility, and the ability to listen first.

Continued education is critical because the industry never stops changing. Technology evolves, storytelling trends shift, and the business side of filmmaking is always in motion. Staying curious—whether that’s learning new tools, studying other filmmakers, or understanding contracts and distribution—keeps you relevant and prepared when opportunities come. My advice is to treat learning as part of the job, not something that ends once you land a role or make a film.

Humility is just as important. No matter how much experience you gain, there is always someone who knows more than you in a given area. Being open to feedback, admitting when you don’t have the answer, and respecting every role on set builds trust and makes people want to work with you again. Early on, it’s important to check your ego and focus on becoming useful, dependable, and collaborative.

Finally, the ability to listen first has been invaluable. Whether you’re directing, producing, or running a company, listening allows you to truly understand the people you’re working with and the stories you’re telling. It leads to better decisions and stronger relationships. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say ask more questions than you answer, observe how experienced people move through challenges, and remember that you don’t need to be the loudest voice in the room to be an effective leader.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes—absolutely. We’re always looking to collaborate with people who have great stories and the drive to tell them honestly.
We’re drawn to individuals who aren’t afraid of the truth, who understand that meaningful work often comes from leaning into complexity rather than avoiding it, and who can collaborate well with others.

A lot of people have powerful stories but don’t always know how to shape them, where to take them, or even who to call. That’s where collaboration becomes essential. We enjoy working with people who are open, curious, and willing to trust the process—whether they’re artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, or organizations.

At the same time, we’re realistic. Production is a business, and for it to survive, it has to generate income. That reality can’t be ignored. The good news is that stories—whether deeply personal or corporate—absolutely have a place in the market when they’re told with authenticity and intention. The people we want to partner with are the ones who understand both sides of that equation: the creative responsibility of storytelling and the practical realities of making it sustainable.

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