Mr. Turner graduated Cum Laude from The University of Cincinnati’s Communications Arts program and attended New York University’s MFA in Film program. Before joining The New School faculty, Marcus taught Film Production and Film Studies at The City University of New York and Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia. His research and teaching interests are in African American Narrative and Documentary film, French and Asian World Cinema and Jazz in Literature and Film. On the professional side, his passion for storytelling began on the set of the seminal Spike Lee film “She's Gotta Have It”. An Emmy nominated director, Mr. Turner has worked for more than twenty years as a producer, director and writer on commercials, music videos and public service announcements through his own Burnt Toast Films production company. His directorial effort "Et Tu Brutus" won a CLIO Award and his work with the Parisian super group Bisso Na Bisso won the All Africa Kora Award for Best Director. Recently Mr. Turner produced the television series “Sharp Talk” hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton, as well the documentary “No Justice, No Peace”, a film exploring errant police behavior and the United States criminal justice system.