Filmmakers Bios
Mark Rensel:
Cinematographer/DP, Original Music/Composer, Picture Editor, Sound Editor, Sound Mixer
Originally a musician, sound engineer and film composer from the Pacific Northwest. Mark's compositions for nature films have been shown on PBS and Discovery channels. He came to Mackinac Island to visit his best friend Jenifer Silvernale in the early 90's. After several visits he arranged to spend entire summers on the island, founded and managed mackinac.com for six years while filming "freelance" for various island video projects. Mark and Jenny were married on the island in the 1998 and 'Ice Bridge' is their first entirely self-produced feature film.
Jenifer Silvernale:
Coproducer, Collaborator, Narration
Originally from East Lansing, MI, Jenifer attended The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, where she first met Mark. She decided to tryout a summer on Mackinac Island in the mid 80's. A little art-card she painted eventually led to her becoming the island's resident sign maker for over 20 years. In the winter months she has collaborated with her husband Mark on various multi-media and music projects. Jenifer co-produced and narrated "ICE BRIDGE: Mackinac Island's Hidden Season".