Mark Kohl is president of Kohl-Lindsey Entertainment and Kohl Pictures.
WHAT DOES HE DO?
Acting as director and cinematographer, Kohl produces commercials and videos for advertising agencies and corporate clients. Locals would probably recognize Kohl’s work most from the Don’t Trash Jacksonville public announcements. He also did the cinematography for the television show “Safe Harbor,” which was filmed here. “I shot every frame of that show. I’ve even done a few feature films, independent ones.”
AS IF THAT WASN’T ENOUGH . . .
Kohl also does freelance cinematography and directorial work here and abroad for eight different production companies based in the U.S. He has a local rental house, Mark II Lighting and Grip, where he leases cameras, lights, generators, dollies and other film gear.
WHAT ELSE HAVE YOU DONE?
Kohl was director of photography for “The Gunfighter” with Martin Sheen, “Palmer’s Pick-Up” with Rosanne Arquette and “A Wake in Providence,” which won the Audience Award at the Ft. Lauderdale Film Fest in 1999. He also worked on the film “Flamingo Rising,” 80 reenactments for “America’s Most Wanted” and directed over 25 music videos. His office is packed with awards from the industry, but he is most proud of winning Best Director in Florida twice from the Florida Crystal Reels. “I won a New York Film Festival Award, had movies at Sundance and at the Berlin Film Festival. I’ve shot for Aaron Spelling, Francis Ford Copolla, some big names.”
WHAT IS THE DIRECTOR’S JOB?
“For commercials, I get the storyboard script from the ad agency. I take the script and enhance it to bring more visual ideas to it. Then I’ll do a treatment, a one-page concept. My partner puts together a budget and, if awarded the job, I lead the show. On the set I would cast it, scout it [pick locations to shoot film], get the shots, direct the talent, the whole deal. I’m responsible for the end product.”
WHAT KIND OF JOBS DO YOU TAKE?
“We do more of the higher end stuff but we do offer local stuff at a lower rate. There are a lot of companies in-house now that shoot their own training videos. This is a dynamic way of selling things, entertaining — that business runs all of L.A. We’re developing business here but we bring business here, too.”
WHAT’S MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT IT?
“Film production is very time consuming and very expensive. The director makes over 1,000 decisions a day about things like wardrobe, lenses, editing. It’s a barrage. What plays into it is an incredible amount of common sense. You can’t teach a whole lot of this in school.”
BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE INDUSTRY?
“That it’s glamorous. It is not glamorous. It can be at times but the nanoseconds of glamour are overtaken by the amount of work. For Leslie Nielsen’s commercial for the Ohio Lottery, we had to close down five miles of highway for the day, taking down all of their signs and replacing them with ours. It’s a lot of work. It’s hard on relationships, it’s crazy hours and it consumes you, but it’s a way of life. It’s a mental and physical challenge but life is not boring. It’s a stimulus.”
FIRST LOVE
“I started a [film production] business at 22 called Creative Associates and never looked back. I started this company [Kohl Pictures] in 1987 and a year ago created another called Kohl-Lindsey Entertainment.”
WHY FORM THE SECOND COMPANY?
“My partner, Pepper Lindsey, and I are aggressively going after television programming, developing shows in-house for cable. Before we just did the production end, now we are doing the editing. We started developing our own stuff instead of waiting for the phone to ring. We’re doing it on a national basis, talking to the Discovery Channel and Home & Garden. We’ve already shot a pilot. I see a future in programming.”
WHAT’S MOST REWARDING ABOUT IT?
“I just love doing it. I love photography and working with people. Combine the two to tell a story and it’s as exciting as anything can be. It’s an addictive business but extremely grueling. The days are long, the pressure is intense, and you have to deal with the weather and a myriad of problems. If you do one bad job, it kills you. You have to keep consistent quality. But it’s very diverse. One day I may be shooting a mayonnaise commercial, the next I’m hanging out of a helicopter.”
WHY NOT MOVE TO CALIFORNIA?
“It’s a weird market. If you can make a living doing what we do, you’re a success. If you can make a lot of money, you’re exceptional. I stayed here because of my two boys. I like Jacksonville. I’m a big fish in a small pond here. The advantage I have is that I travel and work all over. I pick up a good, diverse flavor and bring it back here. If I lived in Los Angeles I would have more opportunities but also more competition. We’re making a name for ourselves here.”
HOMETOWN
Chicago. His family moved here when he was young. Speaking of family, Kohl has two sons, Christopher and Mitchell, and resides in San Marco.
HOW DO YOU DE-STRESS?
Galloping on his horse Scout, boating, kayaking, camping and fishing in Alaska are ways he unwinds. Kohl gives high marks to the television show “24” and the eclectic local restaurant L’Orient Chez Guy.
— by Monica Chamness