Coppos Films, the bicoastal commercial production house headed by president/ executive producer Michael Appel and managing director Joanne Ferraro, has signed filmmaker Mikael Salomon for exclusive U.S. representation as a spot director/DP. He was formerly handled for commercials by bicoastal Flying Tiger Films.
At press time, Salomon was bidding on his first job under the Coppos banner: an undisclosed project for Leo Burnett USA, Chicago. Over the years, he has helmed spots for such clients as Jaguar, Coca-Cola, Sony, Converse, McDonald’s, Chrysler, Texaco, Mazda, Georgia Coffee, Norfolk Southern, Mitsubishi, Snickers, the U.S. Marines and the American Red Cross. His effects-heavy Marines ad via J. Walter Thompson, Atlanta, follows a soldier’s epic battle with a fiery monster. The Japanese market Georgia Coffee spot, out of McCann-Erickson, Tokyo, offers an early-morning glimpse at the lives of shipyard laborers who work hard and enjoy a break with a cup of java.
"I’ve always been a fan of Mikael’s," said Appel. "He’s worked in every genre—features, commercials and television—and has been successful in all three. I like the fact that he’s got a great visual sense and is also able to direct actors. If you can do both of those things, you’re way ahead of the game."
A native of Denmark, Salomon got his professional start as a camera assistant in Copenhagen. Working his way up the ranks, he soon began shooting industrials and documentaries before moving to Southern California 18 years ago. After establishing himself as a cinematographer (Far and Away, Backdraft, Arachnophobia, The Abyss) he launched a directing career about 10 years ago—first in commercials via now defunct Boss Films, a visual effects outfit that also maintained a spot production division. After a brief stay there, he shifted over to the former GMS, where he stayed for five years. That company closed when its principals splintered off to form new ventures, including Flying Tiger, which Salomon opted to join.
Beginnings
Five years ago, Salomon began directing in the feature and television program arenas. His longform directorial credits include episodes of the Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, pilot episodes of CBS’ The Fugitive and The Agency, and such features as A Far Off Place and Hard Rain.
"I have been shooting quite a bit in features and television lately, and I enjoy the mix with commercials," Salomon said. "The 30-second format is refreshing and really keeps your skills as a director sharp."
Salomon earned a visual effects Oscar nomination for Backdraft and received Oscar and ASC nods for cinematography for The Abyss. He also won a cable industry ACE Award for HBO’s The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains, for which he served as DP.
At Coppos, Salomon rounds out a roster comprising the directing team Coppos/Lee (Mark Coppos and Virginia Lee), directors Brian Aldrich, Shawn Driscoll, Jeffrey Karoff, Tom Schiller and Richard Sears, and actor/ writer/director John Turturro.
The company’s sales force consists of East Coast rep Victoria Venantini, reps Jill Reehl and Noelle Whitfield in the Midwest—except for Detroit, which is handled by Ron Hoffman—and Vicky Miller, who covers the West Coast and Texas. The sales team reports directly to Ferraro.
