Email: benkolak(at)gmail.com
Phone: 312.351.3342
917 S. Western Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60612
Map Site Design: NHQ

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BEN KOLAK IS A CHICAGO FILMMAKER WITH GLOBAL CONNECTIONS.

Working as a videographer and editor, Ben creates rich content for clients in the arts, advertising, and education sectors, getting his start while still an undergraduate at the University of Chicago (AB ‘06, Cinema Studies).

In addition to directing feature films like Scrappers and Schizo Cool, Ben coordinates productions, such as the art films of Catherine Sullivan, Crime Fiction (2007 Slamdance Film Festival) and Thax (2007 Chicago Underground Film Festival).

Also an established VJ, Ben has created visuals at venues such as The Bottom Lounge and The Empty Bottle.

Ben maintains a 2500 sq. ft production studio on Chicago’s near west side, an extensive equipment inventory, a work van and a dynamic network of freelancers. He is available as a videographer, editor, production coordinator, and VJ, as well as for equipment rentals. He maintains low overhead, employs innovative cost-saving production processes and pursues sustainability in all his endeavors. Rates vary based on project and season but are always extremely competitive.

SELECT CLIENTS:

  •  Catherine Edelman Photography Gallery
  •  Killians & Co. Advertising
  •  Calumet Photographic
  •  Big Shoulders Fund
  •  The University of Chicago
  •  Julia Burke Foundation
  •  Meadville Lombard Theological School
  •  Public Interest Research Group

SELECT PROJECTS:

  • SCRAPPERS:  (Documentary Feature; Director & Cinematographer)
  •  2010 Chicago Underground Film Festival, Winner Best Documentary & Audience Award
  •  2010 3-channel video installation, High Concept Laboratories, Chicago
  •  2009 Chicago Instructional Technology Fund Award
  • THE SOUTHSIDE HAS MANY BEAUTY QUEENS:  dir. Ricardo Gamboa (Narrative Short; Cinematographer, Editor)
  •  2010 Chicago Latino Film Festival, Winner Audience Award
  • TRIANGLE OF NEED:  dir. Catherine Sullivan (8 channel film transferred to video; Assistant Director, Installation Supervisor)
  •  2007 Walker Arts Center, Minneapolis
  •  2008 Metro Pictures Gallery, New York
  •  2008 Royal Academy, London
  •  2008 Gwangju Biennale, South Korea
  • LULU:  dir. Catherine Sullivan (4-channel film transferred to video; Assistant Director, Installation Supervisor)
  •  2007 Volksbuehne Theater, Berlin
  •  2009 CCS Bard Hessel Museum, New York
  • CRIME FICTION:  dir. Will Slocombe (Narrative Feature; Assistant Director, Co-Producer)
  •  2007 Slamdance Film Festival, Park City, Utah
  •  2007 GenArt Chicago Film Festival
  •  2008 National Distribution through Anthem DVD
  • THAX:  dir. Alex Mackenzie (Documentary Feature; Producer)
  •  2007 Chicago Underground Film Festival
  •  2007 Distribution through Golden Age Concept Shop

EQUIPMENT LIST:

  •  Panasonic HVX200 3ccd HD camcorder w/64gb P2 cards, wide angle lens
  •  LED on-camera lights
  •  Manfrotto 516 Tripod, hihat
  •  Shure FP33 3-channel audio mixer
  •  2 sennheizer g2 wireless lav systems
  •  Sennheizer me66 (hypercardiod) shotgun mic & me62 (omni) mic
  •  2 Mac towers & 1 Macbook Pro with FCP
  •  Kino Flo Divalite 2-light kit
  •  2 omni lights
  •  3 C-Stands w/arms
  •  5 light stands
  •  10 sandbags
  •  2 sets apple boxes
  •  Magliner convertible handtruck
  •  12 x 24 black & white canvas backdrop
  •  2 2.5K lumen, 2000 to 1 contrast ratio projectors
  •  18 screen 26" TV wall
  •  Arkaos live video mixer/controller