Mark Sandoval's latest short film premiered in Tauranga on Monday night to an invited audience of supporters and participants.

Titled ‘Live your life with passion', the film and premiere event were the culmination of two month's hard work.

After attending a BOP Film networking meeting, Mark Sandoval realised he was even more determined to go out and make films. At the premiere he spoke to Andrew Taylor, a local videographer and camera operator, and myself.

'After meeting the guys at BOP Film, I got inspired to do the same thing,” says Mark. 'And do something for people who are starting like me. I've been inspired from watching videos and how to do things in terms of video editing. I have no background in video editing so I had to learn somehow.”

In early 2017, Mark made the short film ‘Mount Maunganui - There's No Place Like Home', which featured Mauao, Moturiki Island and Mount Main beach locations.

He decided to end the year with an inspiring life and fitness motivational film featuring local talent, role models and athletes from Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.

'I started 2017 strong and decided to finish the year strong with one more non-profit local community project,” says Mark.

'I'm a shy kid, but I did the whole thing of getting out there and dancing and doing video content. And I thought, ‘don't be shy just do it'. A lot of people asking me about it seem too afraid to do things, or they think ‘I don't have the money' or ‘I don't have the gear'. But the thing is just work with what you've got.”

Mark works full time Monday to Friday and made the film in two months in his spare time.

Mark Sandoval outside Events Cinema where the premiere was held. Photo: Andrew Taylor.

'When I made the Mount video at the beginning of 2017, I didn't really have the best camera. I had to invest and save up to get the equipment. When I first put up that video, I was scared of what people would think about it and asking what camera I filmed with.

'I wanted to end the year with something that could at least help people. The worst thing you can do is to put people down and I want to do the opposite and bring people together.

'There's so many people giving up on life. I got inspired when I saw that New Zealand has such a high suicide rate. I've lost a couple of friends. I did dance to escape from school stuff. Then I did the film to inspire people. Someone has to do it. Some people make videos and make people laugh. If you do something like this, you can put some impact into people's lives. So that's a good thing.”

Keeping in mind Milton Berle's quote 'If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door”, Mark set out to meet new people at BOP Film and beyond.

'I've learned so much from Andrew Taylor. As long as I can help people out that's the main thing.”'

The film was made with many participants and friends, including support from Inzpire Dance Company - New Zealand, Tripper Society, Oceanside Resort & Twin Towers at The Mount, The Gym Tauranga, OceanBlue Gym and Crossfit Papamoa.

'My main motto this year was 'Fake it till you make it”,” says Mark. 'And now I have opened new doors I could've never imagined. So my advice to everyone who are wanting to follow their ambitions is to believe in yourself, surround yourself with positive people, work hard and never give up.”