Mark Freund is a Southern California native who graduated from UC San Diego, where he studied film and earned a B.A. degree in Communications. His love for science fiction movies and books led him to work as a visual effects artist and supervisor in the motion picture industry. He is a member of the Visual Effects Society and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Now retired, Mark enjoys traveling by bicycle and giving back in meaningful ways. He has a longstanding involvement with Deaf West Theatre. Mark is currently board chair of CLARE/Matrix, a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Santa Monica, and continues working with the hearing impaired in recovery. He also regularly reads to children at local libraries. Mark is married to Trice Koopman. They have 37 year old twins, Richard and Rebecca.