Mark Ellinger is an American composer raised in Ohio. Ellinger met and became friends with filmmaker Curt McDowell while studying at the San Francisco Art Institute. Between 1971 and 1987, he taught classes at the Art Institute and the Academy of Art. He worked as a recording engineer, sound designer, electronics technician, composer and actor on various independent films. In 1982, he opened the 16-track recording studio Truth and Beauty.