John Mark Robinson (born 19 July 1948) is an entrepreneur, director, and actor. Films he directed have included Roadhouse 66, Kid, and All Tied Up. 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.
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. 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.
During his career, Robinson has directed and produced music videos for Bob Dylan ("Sweetheart Like You"), Bob Marley ("Redemption Song"), Pretenders, Tina Turner ("What's Love Got to Do with It?"), Ramones ("Rock 'n' Roll High School"), Santana ("Hold On"), Pat Benatar, and George Thorogood ("Bad to the Bone").
Design career Robinson is also a design professional, having served as president of Modern Props in both Los Angeles and Vancouver. 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. 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 Year Track Artist Records 1983 Sweetheart Like YouBob DylanCBS Records1980Redemption SongBob MarleyIsland Records1982Hold On / The NileCarlos SantanaCBS Records1982Makin' ThunderbirdsBob SegerCapitol Records1980Rock'n'Roll RadioRamonesSire Records1980Rock'n'Roll High
SchoolRamonesSire Records1984What's Love Got to Do with ItTina TurnerCapitol Records1982Bad to the BoneGeorge ThorogoodEMI Records1979 1980
1984Brass in Pocket Tattooed Love Boys
Show MeThe PretendersWarner Bros. Records1982Think I'm In Love ShakinEddie MoneyCBS Records1987Set Me FreeLos LobosWarner Bros. Records1986When You Love Someone Back in Stride AgainFrankie Beverly and MazeCapitol Records1984 1983
1983Solid Babies
High RiseAshford & SimpsonCapitol Records
Credits YearTelevisionRoleNotes1981The Facts of LifeActor1979In Search of Historic Jesus (Documentary) Actor1979Butch and Sundance: The Early DaysActor1978The BastardActor1978The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew MysteriesActor1978Eight Is EnoughActor1977The San Pedro Beach BumsActor1977The Love BoatActor1976One Day at a Time Actor1976Electra Woman and Dyna GirlActor1976Mary Hartman, Mary HartmanActor1975Harry OActor1975InsightActor1974Chopper One Actor1973ChaseActor1973The Six Million Dollar Man Actor1973Mod Squad Actor
References