Biography

Mark Thomas Haapala is a writer, producer and director. He graduated from Loyola Marymount University's Theatre program and is a member of the Producers Guild of America (PGA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), and is a former Directors Guild of America (DGA) Trainee.

His short film won Best Narrative Short at the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival in 2012. His original television pilot was selected for the New York Television Festival in 2014 and was subsequently optioned by Lifetime.

Haapala worked on the television series Entourage and NCIS: Los Angeles before focusing on writing and producing. With writing partner Stewart Gold, he sold the screenplay The Christmas Cup to Motion Picture Corporation of America (MPCA) and Hallmark Channel. The film was shot in Kelowna, Canada in June 2025 and will air November 30, 2025 during Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas.

As a member of IATSE Local 44, he has worked as a Property Assistant on Frasier, Night Court, and That '90s Show.

Alongside longtime collaborator Gold, the writing team continue to develop projects in comedy, family entertainment, and children's animated television series.
- IMDb mini biography by: K. Berger

Graduated from Loyola Marymount University

Director's Guild of America trainee program (2010).

Haapala's short film, "Dog it Down", won the 2012 Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival (HRIFF).

His TV Pilot, starring Keith Coogan and Pinky Coogan, was optioned by Lifetime in 2014.