His creative career began in Cologne, Germany where he worked in multiple departments for various television production companies. It was at this time that he developed skills in every major facet of production, including camera, editing, producing and most notably writing, a talent that allowed him to develop and direct his own original programs spanning a variety of genres. From here, Mario went to the prestigious Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg where he set the groundwork for a versatile career by writing and directing music videos, commercials, and short films, many of which won him international acclaim including a 2009 Cannes Young Director Award for his short Oleg – Life of a Weightlifter and a highly coveted European Student of the Year Award from the Art Director Club in 2010.