John Mark Robinson Explained

John Mark Robinson
Birth Date:19 July 1948
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario
Nationality:Canadian
Alma Mater:American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Occupation:Entrepreneur, Director, Producer, Actor
Years Active:1973–present
Children:3
Spouse:Linda DeScenna

John Mark Robinson (born 19 July 1948) is an entrepreneur, director, and actor.[1] [2] Films he directed have included Roadhouse 66, Kid, and All Tied Up.[3] [4] He also directed the music videos for various musical artists including Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Ramones, Pretenders, Bob Seger and Santana. Robinson is the founder and CEO of Tap&Go EV Ltd., owner operator of Vancouver Prop & Costume, and President of Boffi Los Angeles, having previously served as president of Modern Props. Robinson holds Patent No. 10,277,960 for his co-invention of a method and system for seeding video programs with episodic interactive items.

Early life

Robinson was born in Toronto, Ontario. He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.[5]

Music, television, and film career

Robinson founded the Modern Productions in 1980 to direct and produce music videos for artists under the banner. In 1983, he directed Roadhouse 66, starring Willem Dafoe, released by Universal Pictures. In 1990, he directed the movie Kid released by Focus Features.[6] Robinson directed the television show Martha Stewart Living in 1991. He also directed the movie Motowns Mustang in 1992 and All Tied Up in 1993.[7]

During his career, Robinson has directed and produced music videos for Bob Dylan ("Sweetheart Like You"), Bob Marley ("Redemption Song"), Pretenders,[8] Tina Turner ("What's Love Got to Do with It?"),[9] Ramones ("Rock 'n' Roll High School"), Santana ("Hold On"),[10] Pat Benatar, and George Thorogood ("Bad to the Bone").[11]

Design career

Robinson is also a design professional, having served as president of Modern Props in both Los Angeles and Vancouver.[12] He is the owner and operator of Vancouver Prop & Costume in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as a partner in the Milanese a kitchen and bath design company Boffi Los Angeles. Vancouver Prop & Costume rents props and costumes for use in motion pictures, commercials, and television. Robinson has assembled tens of thousands of pieces that can be used. He purchased the selection of props from 20th Century Fox in 2005, and has continued to build the collection.[13] He later founded Tap Media Labs, a company that adds content information to online videos for viewers, based in Vancouver and Los Angeles.

Personal life

Robinson married Linda DeScenna in 2017.

Discography

Music videos

YearTrackArtistRecords
1983Sweetheart Like YouBob DylanCBS Records
1980Redemption SongBob MarleyIsland Records
1982Hold On / The NileCarlos SantanaCBS Records
1982Makin' ThunderbirdsBob SegerCapitol Records
1980Rock'n'Roll RadioRamonesSire Records
1980Rock'n'Roll High

School

RamonesSire Records
1984What's Love Got to Do with ItTina TurnerCapitol Records
1982Bad to the BoneGeorge ThorogoodEMI Records
19791980

1984

Brass in PocketTattooed Love Boys

Show Me

The PretendersWarner Bros. Records
1982Think I'm In LoveShakinEddie MoneyCBS Records
1987Set Me FreeLos LobosWarner Bros. Records
1986When You Love SomeoneBack in Stride AgainFrankie Beverly and MazeCapitol Records
19841983

1983

SolidBabies

High Rise

Ashford & SimpsonCapitol Records

Credits

YearTelevisionRoleNotes
1981The Facts of LifeActor
1979In Search of Historic Jesus (Documentary) Actor
1979Actor[14]
1978The BastardActor[15]
1978The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesActor[16]
1978Eight Is EnoughActor[17]
1977The San Pedro Beach BumsActor[18] [19]
1977The Love BoatActor[20]
1976Actor
1976Electra Woman and Dyna GirlActor
1976Mary Hartman, Mary HartmanActor
1975Harry OActor
1975InsightActor
1974Actor
1973ChaseActor
1973Actor
1973Actor

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Mark Robinson. TVGuide.com. en. 2018-07-31.
  2. News: Linda DeScenna, Mark Robinson. 2018-07-31. en.
  3. Web site: The Best Movies Directed by John Mark Robinson. Flickchart. en. 2018-07-31.
  4. Web site: John Mark Robinson Movies and Filmography AllMovie. AllMovie. 2018-07-31.
  5. Web site: Linda DeScenna, Mark Robinson. 11 June 2017. NYTimes.com.
  6. News: Kid. Time Out London. 2018-07-31. en.
  7. News: John Mark Robinson. https://web.archive.org/web/20180731123648/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba6d2c3f9. dead. July 31, 2018. BFI. 2018-07-31. en.
  8. Web site: Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Inc. 24 October 1981. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Google Books.
  9. Web site: Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Inc. 18 May 1985. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. Google Books.
  10. Book: Liggeri, Domenico. Musica per i nostri occhi: Storie e segreti dei videoclip. 26 August 2013. Giunti. 9788858761106. Google Books.
  11. Web site: Dwight Twilley's "Girls" video was modeled on Bob Clark's horny teenager romp "Porky's".
  12. News: CURRENTS: LOS ANGELES -- FURNISHINGS; Props for the Movie Set or Home, And Some That Are Comfy in Both. Frances. Anderton. The New York Times . 7 August 2003. NYTimes.com.
  13. Web site: Vancouver Prop and Costume: A cut above. 30 October 2017. Beyond the News.
  14. Web site: Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979) - Overview - TCM.com. Turner Classic Movies. en. 2018-07-31.
  15. Web site: Watch The Bastard (1978) - Project Free Tv. www2.projectfreetv.live. en. 2018-07-30.
  16. Web site: The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries/Death Surf - The TV IV. tviv.org. en. 2018-07-31.
  17. Web site: Eight Is Enough. TVGuide.com. en. 2018-07-31.
  18. Web site: The San Pedro Beach Bums. TVGuide.com. en. 2018-07-31.
  19. News: The San Pedro Beach Bums (1977). https://web.archive.org/web/20180731153540/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b76638b0b. dead. July 31, 2018. BFI. 2018-07-30. en.
  20. Web site: John Mark Robinson 1970s guest appearances. www.ultimate70s.com. 2018-07-30.