Today we’d like to introduce you to Rick Kosick.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My career as a photographer began when I started working at World Industries skateboard company in El Segundo, CA making the Big Brother magazine. It was a silly skateboard publication that was very controversial for its time. I once said this magazine was the internet before the internet was even around because we broke all the rules. I was hired to fill the duties as a photo editor, but with that title came along with other responsibilities. I shot most of the covers, opening portraits for the feature stories. Also, I was in charge of scanning photos in and working with the art director choosing images, as well as selling ads for the magazine. We were a small staff who wore many hats putting in a lot of hours to make this magazine work.
After working at World Industries for 5-years, the owner Steve Rocco sold the magazine to Larry Flint Publishing. That’s when I started working at the Hustler building on the corner of Wilshire Blvd & La Cienega. This transition ended up being a big door opener allowing me travel more and having full access to using LFP studio and using different format cameras. Around this time, we were making our big brother videos that went on to become infamous, which lead to making MTV’s hit TV show, jackass. Being a part of this new production gave me the bug to wanna explore filmmaking, and from the point on, I knew what I wanted to do with the next chapter of my life.
One of the perks of working at the magazine I would often get photo passes to concerts around Los Angeles. This opportunity would allow me to become friends with some of the bands, and one of them was Maverick Recording artist Deftones. They were fans of the magazine and we instantly developed a friendship that leads me shooting their second album cover, Around the Fur. That went on selling nearly a million copies.
After my 10-year run working with the magazine. I departed to go work on The Wildboy’z TV show as a camera operator. Working on this show was the best thing that could have happened to me because that’s when I really started learning about life. Being directly exposed to all of these different cultures that I encountered. Like the people of India, filming martial arts in Thailand, going on a safari in Africa, filming in the Amazon river. Or sitting in a teepee with the nomadic reindeer herders in Siberia. So many great stories I could share, and some that even shaped and changed my life for the better. Till this day, it’s the best job I ever had and I’m grateful to have been a part of this show. It’s something I’ll cherish the rest of my life.
Over the years, I’ve worked with a bunch of different productions like King Of The Road TV show or shooting Vice News Tonight on HBO. Recently, I just finished shooting the 4th jackass movie with Paramount Pictures. I never thought I would film a movie in the middle of a pandemic. We started shooting only to get shut down for eight months. Then production would ramp back up again, only to get shut down for a couple more months. I mean, nobody expected to see this happen in our lifetime, but you learned how to work through obstacles that were thrown your way, and you kept going.
Currently, I’m writing TV show treatments and creating an advertising campaign for a Los Angeles college radio station. Directing music videos and other online campaigns. Also, I plan on start putting together my first book with all my photos throughout the years mixed with short stories. If you wanna learn more about the magazine and how jackass got started, watch Dumb: The Story of Big Brother Magazine. It’s now playing on Hulu.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Life has its ups and downs and we all know that. I guess it can be challenging at times when you don’t getting hired for a job when you know you’re more than qualified. Staying focused and not getting discouraged. Just know things will work itself out.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in directing, photography, cinematography, and video editing. I’ve filmed in 16-different locations around the world. I’ve been a part of MTV’s pop culture phenomenon jackass since its conception and worked on a lot of other great productions.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I’m driven, patient, loyal, and I have good a sense of humor. I’ve developed my own style and approach and I follow through with everything I start.
Contact Info:
- Email: rickkosickfilms@gmail.com
- Website: rickkosickfilms.com
- Instagram: Rick Kosick
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RickKosickFilms
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/rickkosick
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/rickkosickfilms; https://youtu.be/ZE_vSwZAkDQ
