Black Olive Media - The Back Story
We are a team of talented producers, writers, directors, designers and project managers deliver creativity on time and on budget. From start to finish, concept to completion.
Who are these guys anyway? Well..the founder, Jason Van Sickel, got his start as an apprectice ice sculptor and traditionally trained artist (pen&ink, pencil, water color, special fx make-up, sculpting and anything else I could get my hands on in the film industry). The other principal, a United States Marine Corp veteran who happens to be a 3D StudioMAX guru, gaffer, camera DP, extreme editor and highy trained COLORIST, brings INVALUABLE eperience to our business. And, even the youngest Emmy winner in Texas is part of this crew - Kyle Montgomery. Multi-faceted, multi-talented and extremely motivated.We will watch his career with interest and hope to ride his coat tails to the oscars :).
Begining in 2001 I start BOM, right in time for the internet bubble to pop. Even though many new start-up business faltered, we remained. Black Olive Media has conducted business via word-of-mouth and referral only. Our product and reputation for being comitted to our clients has kept us in business. Our first big gig was Yale University's Tercentennial Event - mega show, graphics, 3D, celebrities, FBI and a whoe lot more. It was a standing ovation success.
We attract great talent. We attract great unique clients. And we constanty share our knowledge and expereince with those around us. We contantly reach out to new and young talent for internships and mentoring. A philosphy I learned early on is that knowledge should be free. I was given tools and experience without expectation of restitution. I repay that philosophy back to everyone I work with; young, old, new to the industry or not. I also learn as much as I can to continue my skill set and create a value beyaind expectation.
Our growth has been fueled by our sense of customer service, trust and support. Our industry peer relationships are shining examples of teamwork, commitment and solid business practices.
Jason Van Sickel:
(Founder - Artist/Writer/Producer/Director/Editor/Camera): has been in the creative and production services industry for more than 20 years. Has garnered 8 Emmy nominations begining in 2005 and has won 5 Emmy awards for various outstanding children's & educational programming and also lighting design and camera work.
Mr. Van Sickel started his colorful career with 8-time Olympic team ice carver, Robert Bifulco, as an apprentice ice sculptor at the age of 15. Enamored with the arts ever since, Mr. Van Sickel has pursued traditional, digital, and motion graphics services with great success.
With experience as a traditional illustrator and colorist, creating and developing concept artwork and marketing collateral for Fortune 100 accounts, Mr. Van Sickel has migrated to photography and videography. Gaining recognition as a 35mm still photographer he launched his own studio that focused on product, portraiture, and fine-art photography.
To date, Mr. Van Sickel continues to write, produce, direct, edit and shoot many different projects that include feature films, commercials, direct response infomercials, historic documentaries, short films, tv pilots, industrials and more.
Marc Rouse:
(Principal - Artist/Writer/Producer/Director/Editor/Camera/Graphics) Marc is a veteran of film, television and radio. He also happens to be a Veteran of The United States Marine Corps and Desert Storm. With a strong background in graphics, editing and color grading, Mr. Rouse is a six-time Emmy nominee andthree-time Emmy Winner. Among his other awards are several TATOAs, Two Communicators, a NATOA and winner of Best Edited at the 2009 NPPA Shoot and Edit Event in Norman, OK.
Mr. Rouse is also the founder of Digital Horizon Media and has provided award winning graphics and 3D animation to dozens of clients.
He is also active in the Dallas theater community writing, directing and acting for many theater companies.
Mr. Rouse has an unbridled passion for film as a storytelling medium. In his humble opinion, when used properly, there is no better way to share stories with others. He is most proud of the fact that he cannot write a bio.
Joe Scott:
(Principal/Writer/Producer/Director) is an award-winning screenwriter with over 15 feature screenplays to his name over the last 10 years. His produced screenplays include several short films and two features. He is the founder and president of Night & Day Films and has written and directed all Night & Day projects, including commercials, music videos, and several short films including 'One Cigarette' and 'My Roommate, The Psycho', which won foreign distribution. His debut feature film, 'Ocean Front Property', went on to screen in over 25 film festivals around the U.S. and won over a dozen awards. Joe has also brought previous experience in theater and work in front of the camera, and has worked professionally as a screenwriter and script doctor for over 5 years.
Lewis Feagins:
(Principal/Artist/Writer/Producer/Director) as a graduate from the esteemed Arts Magnet School of the Performing Arts, Lewis is an accomplished painter in oils and acrylics. With numerous gallery showings and high profile sales in the art world, he has brought the eyes of an artist to film & television production. Also a writer, producer and director, Lewis continues to push the envelope of creativity with a variety creative visions on many different projects. As a 'go-to' producer for Black Olive Media, Lewis forges new realtionships on many fronts from music videos, corporate productions and many other feature film projects. Mr. Feagins is also former enlisted in the Air Force with an honorable discharge as an Seargent E5.
John Delley:
(Executive Producer/Client Liasion) Mr. Delley and his firm Win Win Sales & Promotions aid Black Olive Media in reaching out to multi-industry clients. A first for Black Olive Media, which all of their business has been word-of-mouth or referral only, Mr. Delley brings a wealth of expereince like no other in the industry. John is the 'Black' in Black Olive Media as he puts it.
John Delley currently serves as President of Win Win Sales & Promotions, s sponsorship and sales agency he launched in 2008. Mr. Delley has over 30 years of successful media and corporate sponsorship sales experience as well as a documented track record of success in cultivating, building and maintaing client relations and new business development.
Kyle Montgomery:
(Writer/Lighting Design/Camera/Editor) The youngest Emmy winner in the state of Texas. Kyle has been an amazing example of professionalism and comitment at an early age. Now, a prolific writer, accomplished gaffer and lighting designer as well as our 1st AC and DP on almost all of our projects. Follow this highly talented individual's career with great expectations. Currently attending North Texas University majoring in RTVF, you will see Kyle carve out an unprecendented career in no time.
Austin Black:
(Chief Audio Engineer/Editor )A 3-time Emmy nominated intern in his own right. Our chief audio engineer in the field and in the studio. Austin applies his degree in music & production engineering into all of our post-production work. He is also an accomplished still photographer and an expert editor on many of our national projects.
Travis Black:
(Key Grip/Grip Electric) One of the best in the industry, Travis brings highly developed skills into the area of film & television production. More than a grip, Travis understands the entire production process and is an invaluable asset to Black Olive Media.
Nick Gibson:
(Grip/Production Asst.) A vey taleneted individual that has been a core player since our begining.
Mason Minor:
(Writer/Camera/Editor) Anew member to our team and a highly capabale one at that. From a camera man, to lighting to grip, Mason is an upcoming talent that will certainly make his mark beyond the confines of our studio. We will support him in any and all ways possible.
Client Testimonials.
“I've known Mr. Van Sickel and Black Olive Media for more than a decade and never hesitate to refer him business.”
Mitch Lurie, owner – The Leather Sofa Co.
“The epitome of strong moral business ethics.But...he smells like the 1980's Polo cologne???”
