Local filmmaker learns by watching

By Jonathan Heeter - August 16, 2002

Forgoing the route of film school, Kozlowski has nevertheless become successful through observation and dedication.

The 25-year-old hails from Buffalo, N.Y., and grew up a fan of movies. He attended Buffalo State University and later transferred to Georgia State University as an English major. Problems occurred at Georgia State preventing many of his credits to transfer.

"I was fed up with dealing with all the nonsense, and decided I wanted to get into something else," Kozlowski said. "I always knew film was something I wanted to get into. I just had to find the right avenue to break into the profession."

The right avenue turned out to be a fluke interview nearly four years ago.

"I was at some party and started talking to a guy who worked with a broadcasting company," Kozlowski said. "I talked to him and told him I had experience and kind of weaseled my way through the interview. He knew I didn't know what I was doing, but he said he'd teach me."
Kozlowski, a resident of Stockbridge, learned editing, filming, and other "tricks of the trade" from the job.

Upon his arrival in Georgia almost a year ago, Kozlowski formed a company called Kinski Productions with Mike Perkins.

"Me and Mike complement each other," Kozlowski said. "We tend to have a similar vision when it comes to a project."

As a co-partner of a young film company, Kozlowski spends most of his time developing techniques and paying the bills. He bartends to pay the rent, while side projects support the company.
"We work on commercials and small projects, which help fund the company," Kozlowski said.

With more than $15,000 of editing and filming equipment, often side projects take up time that could be used for filming. Kozlowski also works with bands on music videos and spends time writing screenplays.   The company has made around five short films, and usually places the films in various competitions.

Most of the shorts are around five minutes. The films emphasize people and emotional intimacy.  "I try to highlight people in my films, because I like people so much," Kozlowski said.

Eventually the filmmaker wants to move to New York City and direct full-length feature films.  But until then, he'll probably be watching movies, picking up more tricks as he goes along.