Susan Klos grew up in North Massapequa on Long Island, New York, the eldest of eight children. After high school, she briefly attended the State University of New York Stony Brook majoring in biochemistry, but had an abrupt change in aspirations and moved to Hollywood to pursue dreams of being a cinematographer.
In 1975 she was accepted at the American Film Institute, one of only 41 fellows and the sole woman in the cinematography program. During this time she worked on over 30 student films and became one of the first women admitted to the electrician’s local.
A year into her studies at AFI, she was side-tracked and started a family. In 1977 her son, Jesse, was born. Unable to work in cinematography while raising him, in 1978 Susan started a small business with $175 borrowed money and facetiously called it “Big Time” Picture Company. She worked out of her home to procure long term Kem equipment rentals for clients on commission. In 1980, daughter Rainbow joined the family.
Susan was the first and remains one of the only women to run a post production business in Hollywood. After many years of hard work and the addition of Acmade Codemaster sales as well as rental of peripheral editing room equipment including benches, bins, racks, etc., the company grew into it’s “Big Time” name. (http://www.bigtimepic.com/credits.html.) She occupied a small basement office at Lion’s Gate Films on Bundy Drive in West L.A. until she had to move. The building at 12210-1/2 Nebraska Avenue was under construction and the landlord took a chance on the young entrepreneur. She rented one third of the warehouse building (5000 sq. ft.) and built editing and office suites. After a few more years of success, she expanded into an additional one third of the building, including a state-of-the-art screening room. Eventually, New World Pictures, the tenant of the third portion of the building moved out and Susan took over the entire space totaling 15,000 sq. ft. (http://www.bigtimepic.com/facilities.html.)
In the 1990’s, the digital revolution had begun and Susan successfully transitioned Big Time from film equipment rentals to digital systems rentals, primarily Avid. At that time, her third child, Justin, was born.
Today, with the help of her youngest brother, John Klos, Big Time Picture Company, Inc. rents 40 editing and office suites, a state-of-the-art 35mm film, video and digital screening room, Avid digital editing systems and rents, sells and designs professional Final Cut Pro digital editing systems as an Apple Authorized Pro Video Reseller. Big Time Picture Company is the only post production rental company, with one exception, to remain in business after 31 years.
Outside of Big Time, Susan has been involved with her children’s sports and scouting activities, including several years as assistant scoutmaster for Jesse’s boy scout troop in Pacific Palisades. She was also a foster parent to 4-year old Christopher in 2000.
Susan wrote VOICES to help her come to terms with her daughter’s diagnosis of schizophrenia and the impact it had on her life and the lives of those around her. Her first screenplay, VOICES has gone on to win many competitions and festivals. She is currently packaging the script and is seeking funding in the 6 million dollar range.
She has two other screenplay concepts in development; JUSTIN AND JOE GO TO MEXICO, a coming-of-age story of two rebellious teenaged runaways who take an eventful road trip and VIAGRAMAN, a young man’s quest to pursue his musical aspirations by financing his journey with pharmaceutical company sponsorship while playing classical piano cross-country in old folk’s homes.
Susan lives in Mar Vista with Rainbow and Justin, 2 dogs and 5 cats. Jesse has retired from a 4-year career as a firefighter/EMT for the US Department of Forestry and currently attends UC Santa Cruz as a full-time student studying environmental science. Rainbow is working as a catering/production assistant for the documentary film, “The Chorus” and Justin attends Opportunities For Learning, an independent study high school in Culver City.
Susan is also associate producer for the documentary “The Chorus.” Produced by Agi Orsi (“Dogtown” and “Riding Giants”) and directed by Thomas Napper (assistant director “The Soloist”, “Atonement” and “Pride and Prejudice”), “The Chorus” chronicles the lives of many residents of Skid Row who were cast as extras for the feature film “The Soloist,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Fox. “The Chorus” shares stories of the camaraderie, compassion, and humor experienced on Skid Row – the very qualities that help create the area’s unique sense of community.
Susan is an associate member of the American Cinema Editors, a member of the AFI Alumni Association, member of Film Independent and Women In Film.
She also stays dedicated to issues surrounding mental health through involvement in Daniel’s Place and the NAMI National Alliance for Mentally Ill.
