.jpg/250px-Rick_Kosick_Jackass_3D_London_Premiere_1_(cropped).jpg){kind=small}
.jpg)
Community hub
0 subscribers8 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Rick Kosick.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Rick Kosick
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
 |
Rick Kosick (born May 25, 1967)[1] is an American photographer and cinematographer. He is a crew member, and supporting cast member of the Jackass TV series and the four Jackass movies.
Key Information
.jpg)
Early career
[edit]Kosick started out as a freelance photographer for Poweredge and Slap skateboarding magazines and built up fame as a skateboard photographer. His photography also caught the attention of the alternative metal band Deftones who contracted Kosick to shoot the cover art to their album Around the Fur (1997). This cover was voted by Revolver magazine as one of the greatest heavy metal album covers ever.[2] Kosick was later approached by the editor of Big Brother to become a photographer and later head photo editor. His work at Big Brother inspired other skate photographers. He also had involvement in the creation of the Big Brother video series. Kosick's likeness was featured on a skateboard for Birdhouse Skateboards on an Andrew Reynolds board.[3]
Jackass and follow-on projects
[edit]Following the end of Big Brother, Kosick worked as a freelance photographer until former Big Brother editor Jeff Tremaine approached him for a role in Tremaine's upcoming TV series Jackass. Kosick is often filmed being picked on by other Jackass crew members under the auspices of a legitimate stunt, usually only a ruse set up to tease Kosick. He usually didn't tolerate many of the pranks played against him.
Current projects
[edit]Kosick currently works as a freelance photographer and camera operator. He worked on Wildboyz, Nitro Circus and Rob and Big on MTV and MTV2. Kosick produced, directed, and edited Manny Puig's straight-to-DVD title, Ultimate Predator.
Kosick recently directed an electronic presskit video for the Los Angeles Band HDR and other music videos for Roger Alan Wade, Smut Peddlers, Lil Wyte with Three Six Mafia, House of Broken Promises and Scream for Me.
Kosick was a prominent member of the staff at Jackassworld.com as a content producer, and had his own online show 'jackass world live' (formerly known as The 4:20 Show with Rick Kosick), which also commonly features other staff members including Sean Cliver and Greg Wolf amongst others. The show was supposed to go live on Wednesdays at 4:20 pm PST, but was known for regularly being late (picking up the name 4:20ish Show from community members) and amongst other reasons, was why the show was renamed.
Kosick also worked behind the camera on Raab Himself's Bathroom Break podcast on YouTube.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | shit | Creator Direct-to-video | |
| 1998 | Number Two: Big Brother | Creator Direct-to-video | |
| 1999 | boob | Himself | Director of photography Direct-to-video |
| 2001 | crap | Himself | Director Cinematographer Direct-to-video |
| 2001 | Don't Try This at Home: The Steve-O Video | Additional editor Direct-to-video | |
| 2002 | Jackass: The Movie | Himself | Camera operator |
| 2006 | Ultimate Predator | Director Producer Editor Direct-to-video | |
| 2006 | Jackass Number Two | Himself | Camera operator |
| 2007 | The Man Who Souled the World | Himself | Documentary |
| 2007 | Jackass 2.5 | Himself | Camera operator |
| 2008 | Jackass Presents: Mat Hoffman's Tribute to Evel Knievel | Himself | Co-producer Camera operator Direct-to-video |
| 2009 | Jackass: The Lost Tapes | Himself | Archive footage Camera operator Direct-to-video |
| 2010 | Jackass 3D | Himself | Writer Camera operator |
| 2011 | Jackass 3.5 | Himself | Writer Camera operator |
| 2013 | Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa | Himself (outtakes) | Camera operator |
| 2014 | Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa .5 | Himself | Camera operator |
| 2017 | Dumb: The Story of Big Brother Magazine | Himself | Documentary Additional camera Associate producer |
| 2020 | Steve-O: Gnarly | Himself | Cameo Camera operator Direct-to-video |
| 2021 | Bad Trip | Behind-the-scenes camera operator | |
| 2022 | Jackass Forever | Himself | Writer Camera operator Associate producer |
| 2022 | Jackass 4.5 | Himself | Writer Camera operator Associate producer |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-2001 | Jackass | Himself (18 episodes) | Camera operator |
| 2002 | Jackass Backyard BBQ | Himself | TV special Camera operator |
| 2003-2006 | Wildboyz | Himself (1 episode) | Camera operator |
| 2008 | Jackassworld.com: 24 Hour Takeover | Himself | TV special Camera operator |
| 2009 | Nitro Circus | Himself (1 episode) | Additional camera (3 episodes) |
| 2011 | A Tribute to Ryan Dunn | Himself | TV documentary Director of photography |
| 2012 | Punk'd | Camera operator (3 episodes) | |
| 2012-2013 | Loiter Squad | Camera operator (3 episodes) Additional camera (2 episodes) | |
| 2013-2016 | Ridiculousness | Photographer (44 episodes) | |
| 2015 | Swerved | Camera operator (9 episodes) | |
| 2016-2018 | King of the Road | Camera operator (27 episodes) | |
| 2017 | Party Legends | Camera operator (1 episode) | |
| 2022 | Jackass Shark Week 2.0[4] | TV special Camera operator[5] |
Web series
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | Bathroom Break Podcast | Himself (1 episode) | Camera operator (29 episodes) |
| 2019-2021 | Jeremiah Wonders... | Himself | Podcast 2 episodes |
| 2019-2021 | The Nine Club | Himself | Podcast 2 episodes |
| 2023 | The Pontius Show | Himself | Podcast 1 episode |
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Artist | Track | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Smut Peddlers | "Let's Get Fucked Up" | Director | |
| 2002 | Andrew W.K. | "We Want Fun" | Camera operator | |
| 2003 | Roger Alan Wade | "If You're Gonna Be Dumb, You Gotta Be Tough" | Director | |
| 2006 | Wolfmother | "Joker & the Thief" | Himself | Camera operator |
| 2006 | Chris Pontius | "Karazy" | Camera operator | |
| 2010 | Weezer | "Memories" | Himself | Camera operator |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Rick Kosick Zerocool trading card". Archived from the original on May 26, 2022.
- ^ Bennet, J.Revolver. September 2007. Pg. 122
- ^ The End; video by Birdhouse; 2003
- ^ Tremaine, Jeff (July 11, 2022). "Guess who's back on #SharkWeek!!! Dive into @SharkWeek on Sunday, July 24 at 9p ET on @Discovery and streaming on @discoveryplus. Jackass Shark Week 2.0". Instagram. Retrieved July 11, 2022.
- ^ Holmes, Zach; Imperati, Vinny (June 30, 2022). "Paying dues and bad tattoos - Ep 22 - What the Fudge Podcast W/ Street Bike Tommy and Rick Kosick". YouTube. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
External links
[edit]| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
Rick Kosick
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and career
Early life
Rick Kosick was born on May 25, 1967, in Oak Park, Illinois, USA.[1] [4] He spent much of his youth in the suburban environment of Orange County, California, after his family relocated there.[2] In the 1980s, as a teenager, Kosick became immersed in the emerging skateboarding culture of Southern California, participating in local scenes that were central to the sport's growth during that decade.[5] This period marked his early engagement with skateboarding as both a participant and observer, influenced by the vibrant community around him and publications that documented the scene.[2] Kosick's initial foray into photography began during his teenage years, sparked by a desire to capture and document his skateboarding experiences.[5] Self-taught through hands-on experimentation, he developed basic techniques to create personal skate zines, laying the groundwork for his creative pursuits without formal training.[5]Skateboarding and photography beginnings
Kosick began his involvement in skateboarding as an amateur during the late 1980s and early 1990s, actively participating in the local scene in Orange County, California, where he honed his skills alongside his growing interest in photography.[2] While still skating, he transitioned into documenting the sport, initially taking photos to create personal skate zines.[5] In the early 1990s, Kosick entered professional photography as a freelancer for skateboarding magazines, starting with a darkroom job at Poweredge introduced by editor Alec Schroeder.[5] He quickly earned opportunities to shoot, with his first published photo featuring Rodney Cassel and later contributing a cover image of Jeremy Klein.[5] His work expanded to Slap magazine, building his reputation as a key skateboard photographer capturing the era's raw energy.[5][6] By the mid-1990s, Kosick joined Big Brother magazine at World Industries in El Segundo, California, initially as a photographer before becoming head photo editor.[6] In this role, he shot most covers and opening portraits, scanned images, and collaborated on ad sales, contributing to all 111 issues over 11 years.[5][6] He also played a key part in the magazine's video series, serving as cinematographer for projects like Big Brother: Number Two (1998) and filming segments that documented tours and stunts.[1][6] Kosick's photography extended beyond skateboarding into music, notably shooting the album cover for Deftones' Around the Fur in 1997.[7] Hired by band members Chino Moreno and Stephen Carpenter—fans of his Big Brother work—he captured a single fisheye shot at a late-night Seattle party during the album's recording sessions, featuring an unidentified woman in a bikini in a Jacuzzi.[7] The candid image, taken spontaneously at 4 a.m., became iconic, appearing on the cover, promotional cassette, and singles like "My Own Summer," helping the album sell nearly one million copies.[7] In the late 1990s, Kosick's presence in skate culture was further highlighted through his likeness in graphic art, appearing as a decapitated head held by a villain on Andrew Reynolds' "Kosickutioner" deck for Birdhouse Skateboards, designed by Sean Cliver in 2000.[8] Kosick embraced the humorous depiction, even securing compensation from the project, which reflected the irreverent style of Big Brother-era collaborations.[9]Involvement in Jackass
Television series
Rick Kosick was recruited to the original Jackass television series by director Jeff Tremaine in 2000, drawing on Kosick's established connections and experience as a photographer and videographer for Big Brother magazine, where he had shot skate tours without any formal TV production background.[10] As a key behind-the-scenes contributor, Kosick served as lead camera operator and supporting cast member throughout the three seasons of the MTV series, appearing in 21 episodes aired from 2000 to 2002 and earning $100 per day to capture and occasionally participate in the chaotic antics alongside the core cast.[11][10] His early photography work at Big Brother provided a foundation for filming the high-energy, unscripted stunts unique to the show's episodic format. Kosick's on-screen moments often positioned him as a target for the cast's physical humor and comedic setups, including repeated takes of the "Poo Poo Platter" prank in a diner, where a camera malfunction forced multiple reshoots amid unsanitary conditions, highlighting the improvisational risks of the TV production.[10] These segments emphasized the behind-the-scenes crew's vulnerability, blending his operational role with direct involvement in the series' signature absurd and painful gags. Beyond the main episodes, Kosick extended his contributions to Jackass spin-offs, operating cameras and appearing on-screen in the 2002 special Jackass Backyard BBQ, a live-event-style production featuring outdoor stunts and pranks.[12] He also supported early web content through platforms like Jackassworld.com, producing material that bridged the TV series to online extensions of the franchise.[1]Films and stunts
Rick Kosick served as a cinematographer and camera operator across all four Jackass feature films, contributing to both the technical capture of stunts and occasional on-screen appearances as a supporting cast member. In Jackass: The Movie (2002), he operated cameras during the production's high-energy sequences, blending his skateboarding background to position shots dynamically amid the chaos of pranks and physical challenges. His role expanded in Jackass Number Two (2006), where he continued handling B-camera duties while appearing briefly in ensemble stunts, helping to escalate the film's scale from the TV series with more elaborate setups.[1][13] By Jackass 3D (2010), Kosick's expertise in close-quarters filming became integral to the stereoscopic 3D format, operating cameras alongside director of photography Dimitry Elyashkevich and Lance Bangs to immerse audiences in the action. He participated in on-screen elements, including prank victim roles that involved sudden physical impacts, such as being targeted in group-based challenges that highlighted the crew's camaraderie. In Jackass Forever (2022), his involvement marked a full-circle evolution, serving as camera operator and associate producer while breaking his ankle during a skateboarding-infused stunt sequence, underscoring the persistent risks even for veteran crew.[10][14][15] Kosick's stunt participation emphasized high-risk physicality tailored to the films' cinematic scope, such as enduring prank setups in Jackass Number Two where he acted as a foil in explosive or impact-heavy gags, and in Jackass 3D, contributing to sequences like the "High Five" that required precise timing and resilience to capture multi-angle chaos. These roles often blurred lines between crew and performer, with notable examples including his endurance in Jackass Forever's Tony Hawk collaboration, where a misstep during filming led to his injury, exemplifying the franchise's unscripted dangers.[16][17] Behind the scenes, Kosick employed "run and gun" techniques honed from skate video production, using compact Sony PD-150 cameras and Handycams mounted on backpacks or at waist height to weave through stunts without disrupting flow, often resulting in equipment damage from impacts like bowling balls or bodily fluids. This approach evolved with the films' budgets, incorporating 3D rigs in Jackass 3D for depth in slow-motion projections and adapting to pandemic protocols in Jackass Forever by shooting in isolated bursts, prioritizing mobility over elaborate setups to maintain the raw, authentic energy.[10][18] Kosick extended his technical contributions to Jackass-related specials, operating cameras for Jackass Shark Week (2018) and Jackass Shark Week 2.0 (2022), where he filmed aquatic stunts amid real ocean hazards, including navigating storms off the Atlantic coast to capture underwater pranks and wildlife encounters. These productions amplified the franchise's stunt ethos with environmental risks, relying on his portable gear for immersive, handheld shots during high-adrenaline sequences.[19][20]Other media projects
Reality television contributions
Kosick extended his expertise in stunt and adventure cinematography to several MTV reality series outside the core Jackass franchise, focusing on high-energy, risk-filled content that aligned with his background in skateboarding and action photography. He served as a camera operator on Wildboyz (2003–2006), the MTV series hosted by Steve-O and Chris Pontius, where he filmed their daring animal encounters and survival challenges across global locations.[6] Kosick described the production as a career highlight, emphasizing the intense fieldwork and creative freedom in capturing unpredictable wildlife interactions.[6] He also appeared onscreen as himself in the 2005 episode "Brazil II." In 2009, Kosick contributed additional camera operation to Nitro Circus, the extreme sports and stunt show created by Travis Pastrana, which aired on MTV and Fuel TV. He handled filming for three episodes, documenting motorcycle jumps, skateboarding feats, and custom-built contraption tests that pushed the boundaries of action reality programming.[21] Kosick worked on Rob and Big (2006–2008), MTV's reality series following skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and his bodyguard Christopher "Big Black" Boykin through pranks, daily life, and skate culture escapades. His contributions supported the show's raw, unscripted aesthetic over the three-season run. Beyond broadcast television, Kosick participated in production for Jackassworld.com, the official online hub for the franchise, where he helped develop web-based content.Directing and producing roles
Rick Kosick began his directing and producing career in the mid-1990s through his work on videos for Big Brother magazine, an influential skateboarding publication known for its irreverent style. He contributed to directing and production on several videos, including as creator for Big Brother: Number Two (1998), which featured skateboarding segments and antics captured during magazine tours, and as co-director for Big Brother: Boob (1999), focusing on comedic skate content.[22] These projects, often shot on a low budget with a raw aesthetic, showcased Kosick's early ability to blend humor and action, laying groundwork for his later work in extreme entertainment. In 2006, Kosick made his feature-length directing debut with the documentary Ultimate Predator, a high-energy exploration of wildlife encounters produced under his own Rick Kosick Productions. The film follows Manny "The Shark Man" Puig as he interacts with dangerous animals such as sharks, alligators, and bears, emphasizing thrilling, unscripted moments inspired by extreme reality formats. Distributed by Gravitas Ventures, it received positive reception for its adrenaline-fueled sequences, earning a 7.3/10 rating on IMDb from 113 user reviews.[23] Kosick expanded into commercial directing in the 2000s, particularly with skateboarding brand DVS Shoe Company, where he produced and directed promotional spots that highlighted product features through stunt-driven narratives. A notable example is the 2014 commercial for Jason "Wee-Man" Acuña's signature Jarvis shoe model, which Kosick directed and edited, featuring Acuña alongside fellow Jackass cast members like Dave England and Preston Lacy in a chaotic, fun-filled showcase of the shoe's durability. This project, filmed in collaboration with DVS and producer Kelly D. Williams, exemplified Kosick's skill in capturing high-impact skate action within tight commercial constraints.[24][25] Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Kosick directed a series of music videos that fused rock, hip-hop, and punk aesthetics with dynamic visuals, often drawing from his skateboarding roots. Key works include the video for Lil Wyte's "Talkin' Ain't Walkin'" (2006), which he directed to promote the rapper's album with gritty, street-level energy, and the 2011 director's cut for House of Broken Promises' "Obey the Snake," a rock ballet-style piece emphasizing theatrical performance. Additionally, he helmed the Turbonegro video "Hot for Nietzsche" (2013), shot across Las Vegas and Orange County, capturing the band's raw punk ethos through high-contrast cinematography. These videos, available on his official YouTube channel, highlight Kosick's versatility in producing concise, visually striking content for independent artists.[26][27][28] Kosick also produced and directed several short films during this period, focusing on skateboarding culture and personal stories within the action-sports community. Examples include "Regan and Watkins" (2019), a narrative-driven short featuring skateboarders Pat Regan and Jeremiah Watkins in a comedic exploration of friendship and rivalry, and earlier pieces like "Preston Long-Arms" from the Big Brother Crap video series (2001), which documented eccentric skate maneuvers. These shorts, often self-produced and shared via his Rick Kosick Films platform, underscore his commitment to authentic, behind-the-scenes storytelling in niche genres.[29][30]Recent and ongoing work
Freelance photography and cinematography
Following the height of the Jackass series in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Rick Kosick maintained an active freelance career in photography, particularly within the skateboarding and music sectors. He contributed to projects like the skateboarding competition series King of the Road, capturing dynamic visuals that highlighted competitors' performances across multiple seasons.[6] In the music industry, Kosick directed music videos and developed advertising campaigns, including promotional content for a Los Angeles college radio station, extending his expertise in visual storytelling for artists and media outlets.[6] Kosick's cinematography work has encompassed commercials and live events, showcasing his technical proficiency in camera operation and production. For instance, he directed and edited the 2022 "Director's Cut" commercial for Orange Amplifiers, featuring musician Chroma Chris and emphasizing the brand's guitar equipment through high-energy footage shot in collaboration with director of photography Kiel Eulberg.[31] This project exemplifies his freelance contributions to brand advertising in the music hardware space. His professional portfolio, available on his official website, has broadened beyond skateboarding roots to include dedicated categories for entertainment and animation, reflecting diverse freelance shoots in narrative and visual effects-driven content.[32] These expansions demonstrate Kosick's adaptability in freelance roles, prioritizing high-impact visuals for commercial and creative clients post-2010.[6]Relentless Ones series and personal projects
In late 2021, Rick Kosick launched the Relentless Ones series through his production company, Rick Kosick Films, as a platform to highlight individuals driven by unwavering passion in their creative pursuits.[33][3] The series features in-depth profiles of artists, musicians, and innovators who persist despite challenges, with episodes exploring their personal stories, creative processes, and relentless dedication. For instance, Episode 9 spotlights live artist Ryan J. Ebelt, known for his dynamic illustrations during the Kill Tony podcast, delving into his influences from comic books and the intensity of performing under pressure.[34] Similarly, Season 2, Episode 7 profiles comedian David Deery, examining the realities of stand-up comedy and the perseverance required to refine material in an unforgiving industry.[35] Full episodes and trailers are available on the Rick Kosick Films YouTube channel, where the series has continued to release new installments into 2025, emphasizing narrative-driven filmmaking that aligns with Kosick's background in visual storytelling.[36] Building on this personal project ethos, Kosick produced the short documentary Inside Jeff Tremaine’s Obsession: Building the Ultimate Koi Pond in 2025, which chronicles the director's meticulous two-year journey to construct a custom koi pond in his backyard.[37] The film captures the blend of artistry, engineering, and obsession involved, from sourcing rare koi fish to overcoming construction hurdles, offering an intimate look at Tremaine's creative outlet outside of his Jackass work. Released on the Rick Kosick Films YouTube channel, it exemplifies Kosick's ability to turn personal interests into compelling visual narratives.[3] Kosick has also announced an upcoming photography book on his official website, featuring a curated selection of his images from over two decades in the industry, accompanied by short stories to provide context for the captured moments.[3] This project draws from his established photography career, aiming to compile iconic shots from skateboarding culture, film sets, and behind-the-scenes adventures into a single volume. Through Rick Kosick Films, he continues to develop and distribute these self-initiated works, with trailers, episodes, and additional content hosted on YouTube to engage audiences directly.[36]Filmography
Films
Rick Kosick has worked extensively as a camera operator and cinematographer on feature films, with a primary focus on the Jackass franchise, where he captured key stunts and sequences. His contributions span multiple installments in the series, emphasizing his role in documenting the high-risk antics of the cast.| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Jackass: The Movie | Self[38] |
| 2006 | Jackass Number Two | Self |
| 2010 | Jackass 3D | Concepts by[39] |
| 2013 | Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa | Additional photography |
| 2021 | Bad Trip | Camera and Electrical Department |
| 2022 | Jackass Forever | Camera operator[40] |