Detroit natives and college roommates Mark W. Koch and Michael Illitch, Jr founded prelude Pictures in 1992. The Illitch family best known for their ownership of the Detroit Redwings, Tigers and Little Caesar’s Pizza, gave Prelude it’s initial financial backing which allowed them to secure a first look/house keeping deal with Paramount Pictures.

 

Prelude was on the lot at Paramount for more than 6 years.  Their first film ‘JUDICIAL CONSENT’, an HBO original, broke all rating records for an original drama on the network.

Prelude’s next film ‘LOST IN SPACE’ was a $90 million Sci-Fi blockbuster that knocked ‘TITANIC’ out of the # 1 box-office spot and propelled Prelude to the top of Hollywood’s A-list.  ‘LOST IN SPACE’ was followed shortly after by another blockbuster, ‘BLACK DOG’ which gave Prelude two films in the coveted Top-10 at one time.  This was repeated months later when both ‘LOST IN SPACE’ and ‘BLACK DOG’s’ DVD’s debuted in the Top-5.

Prelude’s experience is not just in production.  The team led by founder and CEO Mark W. Koch along with President Daniel de Liege, who joined Prelude in 1998, have developed a comprehensive marketing and promotions program that utilizes traditional film advertising methods with a hybrid “grass-roots” target specific campaign.  There is no better example of how this program works than the success it had on ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’.  Mel Gibson and his Icon Productions turned to Prelude to help with the launch of the critically acclaimed and record-breaking masterpiece ‘THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST’.  Prelude conducted screenings of the film during its production in order to elicit support from various targeted demographics.  Prelude also created and implemented an advance ticket program that had never before been used for a motion picture release.  Through a network of Churches, non-profit organizations, faith-based companies and community groups, Prelude’s program help propel The Passion record-breaking heights.  The opening week for The Passion was completely sold out in more than 3,500 locations weeks before opening day.

Prelude relocated to South Florida in the early part of the turn of the Century.  Focusing more on family friendly films or “Movies That Make a Difference” Koch and de Liege decided they didn’t need to be in Hollywood any longer.  Their latest film ‘THE PERFECT GAME’ fits into this model nicely.  Based on the true story of the 1957 Little League World series ‘THE PERFECT GAME’ follows the exploits of a rag tag group of boys from Monterrey Mexico on their quest for perfection.  This film was released on April 16, 2010.

Prelude’s experience comes from production, marketing, distribution and a sound business philosophy.

{tab=Mark W. Koch} 

MARK W. KOCH

MARK was born in Detroit Michigan, and is a graduate of Northwood University. In 1992 he founded Prelude Pictures. By 1995 he had produced his first film titled, Judicial Consent, a Home Box Office world premier which set the HBO February ratings record.

He soon became a powerful force in Hollywood with two major box office hits. In April 1998, Lost in Space, the $90 million big-budget blockbuster, knocked Titanic from the number one spot and set a box office record for the highest April opening of a motion picture ever. Three weeks later, Black Dog, joined Lost in Space to credit Prelude Pictures with two major films in the elite, top ten category simultaneously, an unequaled feat in the motion picture industry. Six months later, Prelude again attained premier status with Lost in Space debuting in the number one spot for both video rentals and sales. Prelude Pictures then echoed its success when Lost in Space and Black Dog remained on the top ten video charts for four consecutive weeks.

In December 1997, four months prior to the opening of Lost in Space, God touched Mark's heart and at the height of his career, he decided to take a hiatus from the film business and concentrate on his family life and pursue his newfound passion to serve God.

In 2003, after being out of the business for five years, Prelude accepted the challenge from Mel Gibson and Icon Productions to assist in the promotion and marketing of The Passion of the Christ. Prelude and their partner, ISA, built a coalition of more than 50 faith-based organizations including Pat Robertson, CBN, TBN, Robert Shuller, Promise Keepers, The Catholic Exchange, Lifeway and many more. Through these strategic partnerships, Prelude garnered the support of tens of millions of Christians and helped propel The Passion of the Christ to a record-breaking opening.

Koch's experience, combined with the huge success of The Passion of the Christ, made him realize that God was leading him back into the film business. In April 2006, Koch headed back to Hollywood and in only six short months, The Perfect Game went into production in the fall of 2006. This true story of the 1957 Little League World Series and the rag tag barefoot team from Monterrey, Mexico.  The Perfect Game was independently financed by private investors and quickly grew into a major motion picture released nationwide.

{tab=Daniel de Liege}  

DANIEL de LIEGE

 

Daniel is currently President of Prelude Pictures, producers of the blockbusters LOST IN SPACE, BLACK DOG starring Patrick Swayze, THE PEERFECT GAME and RUNNING THE SAHARA starring Matt Damon and directed by Academy Award winner James Moll as well as other major motion pictures and television series.

Daniel began his business career in the mid-eighties in retail management for a national TV and appliance chain. Writing, directing and producing local commercials for his three stores eventually led him to the entertainment world.  Over the years Daniel has owned or has been senior management for several highly successful ventures including a restaurant chain, a commercial construction company that held the exclusive contracts with Shoney’s, Sports Authority and AMC Theaters as well as President of a 30 year old publicly traded Biopharmaceutical company.

As founder of 24/Seven Entertainment in the early nineties he began producing syndicated television shows and special events. National concert tours with the Marshall Tucker Band, Ray Charles, Roberta Flack, and Donna Summers as well as the APBA Offshore Grand Prix, Miller Lite Waterfest and the Pratt & Whitney Air Show were all 24/Seven Entertainment and de Liege productions. Daniel also produced the syndicated television specials "Living with HIV" starring Paula Abdul, and "Living Positive" starring Lou Diamond Phillips. He created, produced and/or distributed several syndicated cable television specials including "Sports Time", "Technology Today", "Environment Matters", "Parenting Today", "On the Money" and "American Builder" appearing on the Discovery Channel, Lifetime and many others.

Daniel joined Prelude Pictures in the late nineties as its Executive Vice President and was elevated to President in 2002.  Daniel is the business and production side of the duo and was the Chief Manager of The Perfect Game, LLC and on set Producer of the film.  Daniel designed and implemented the financial and corporate structure for the LLC, signed off on all contracts, labor agreements and production reports and was ultimately responsible for The Perfect Game being delivered.  His on set leadership and crisis management skill allowed the director and creative crew to focus on delivering a fantastic picture.

Daniel’s experience comes from both the business side and production side of the industry. As former President of a publicly held conglomerate, founder of several successful ventures and the President of Prelude Pictures, Daniel understands the needs of a multi faceted corporation in today’s environment. Daniel is active in his Church and on the Board of several charitable organizations in both California and South Florida.

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