Chris M. Collins has worked in the feature and commercial film business for over fifteen years. Working his way up from Production Assistant to Director has been an exciting and educational journey.

The first shoot Chris ever worked on was a Peak Antifreeze ad with Mike Ditka and Kyle Petty. When he overheard one of Da Coach’s personal assistants scream into the phone, “YOU’LL NEVER WORK IN THIS TOWN AGAIN!” Chris was sure he’d hit the big time. His last commercial as a P.A. featured a live cow on a painted cyclorama for Illinois Bell. Of course, when a live cow’s about to crap on a freshly painted cyc, the person who proudly holds the title “Key P.A.” is the one who rushes in with a large garbage can to save the production company from wasting valuable time to repaint the floor. With a feeling of “been there, done that”, Chris took a fascinating internship at the now defunct Victor Duncan, Chicago. Loading and unloading lighting and camera equipment gave him the technical expertise he needed to load and unload lighting and camera equipment on the biggest commercials and films to hit the Windy City in the late 80’s and early 90’s. Important commercials like Bubble Blasters toys for cereal, Rolling Thunder roller coaster for Great America, and Baco’s for, well, Baco’s. Blockbuster films including The Pilot for Polish Hill TV series, and some made for TV movie with Hal Linden and Kyle McClanahan.

After entering the camera department as a film loader and second assistant, Chris knew it wouldn’t be long before he’d be the one saying, “gee, that stuff looks heavy, could you hand me my coffee?” This era in Chris’ career included work on some actual legitimate feature films. “Curly Sue”, “Folks!”, “Mad Dog and Glory”, and “The Fugitive” to name a few. Even rubbing elbows with big celebrities gets old after a while (see photo), forcing Chris to move up once again and work as a first assistant on cutting edge independent films. “Lady Mary”, directed and produced by an alcoholic, imitation biker, nutcase, emergency room doctor, taught Chris the valuable lesson of cashing all paychecks quickly. “Reasons”, a second independent, was so innovative in its accounting methods alone, the FBI thought it worthy to confiscate and store the film in their own vaults.

After working on an episodic TV series, a few music videos, and more commercials, Chris yearned for bigger venues and larger budgets. This move took him to the film production hotbed of the U.S., Madison, Wisconsin. Here Chris has continued to work in the camera department, while adding assistant directing and shooting to his resume. “Pickup Polka” represents a small taste of what’s in store for the viewing public. Producing, writing and directing this film showcases Chris’ many talents and brings to light his passion for filmmaking. It makes it clear why he, or anyone for that matter, would sort hundreds of Baco’s by hand, assemble cereal toys until two in the morning, accept and attempt to deposit worthless checks, and yes, hold a large rubber garbage can and dare a cow to do his worst. His efforts can be an inspiration to everyone to always keep your eyes on the prize.

He resides in Madison with his lovely wife and three wonderful children.