As part of our on-going series of Meet the Team blog posts, giving you the chance to meet the faces and get to know the people behind Midland Video, here is the second blog post which asked our members: What college did you attend, your major and why you chose that major?

George, President:

I attended MATC and my first job in television was directing local sports events like high school football and basketball as well as Marquette and Milwaukee Bucks Basketball. I started on this path because, when I was in high school, I needed to write a speech about a famous person and I selected a local sportscaster.  I interviewed him at WTMJ-TV and he invited me to watch the newscast from the control room.  Two minutes into that newscast I knew what I wanted to do!

Neil, Vice President:

One of the best things about college is taking classes on a wide range of subjects. At Marquette University, some classes, like broadcast communications, were not only interesting; they shed light on career opportunities as well. One day my broadcast communications professor took us to a local TV station to see how a television control room functioned and by March of my junior year I was working at that station. The final 15 months of college were complete mayhem as I worked full-time (sometimes more) while finishing my degree, but I graduated on time (May ’73) and got promoted at the station the same month to direct television news. And every night for several years I directed from the same control room our class had visited at WITI-TV in Milwaukee. News, live remotes, commercials, public service programs, game shows; you name it – I directed it. It was a great experience and provided the foundation for the creation of Midland Video.

Joe, Director:

My last name matches that of the company’s president. In fact, he is my father, which means I have pretty much grown up in this business. I have vivid and fond memories of going to work with my father when he was production manager at Channel 6 in Milwaukee. For “bring your dad to work day” he brought a mobile production truck and set up cameras in the classroom. Kids could see themselves on video monitors. This was 1979, and it was a big deal. So, from as early as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed the business and I knew I wanted to be a part of it somehow.

Flash forward many years and I received a degree in communications with an emphasis in film and video production from UW Oshkosh – UWO or UW Zero as many affectionately refer to her. My years at Oshkosh introduced me to more than the technical aspect of video but the artistic side. I took as many film classes as possible and was a TA my senior year. I guess the merging of the technical and the creative resonated in me and I’ve been enjoying the industry ever since.

Kelly, Video Editor:

I attended Marquette University with a major in Broadcasting and Electronic Communication and minors in Film and Philosophy. I chose my major because I had grand plans of moving to LA and becoming a movie director/producer.  The Film minor helped me know the history and background of the industry I was in, and the Philosophy minor… well I only needed one more class to make it a minor, and I thought it would look good on my resumé.  In the end, the most important part of my MU experience was an internship at Midland throughout my junior and senior years.  My internship showed me a life in the production world outside of California, which was good because after one visit to LA, I knew it was not for me.  So, when Midland offered me a position I took it.  I graduated from Marquette on a Sunday and started working first thing Monday morning at Midland.

Josh, Graphic Designer:

I went to MATC Milwaukee. I have a Degree in television producing and directing. I stayed in school for 3 more years and got two additional degrees – one in computer-based editing systems   and another in computer graphics and animation. While in school, I was an intern at channels 10/36.

Lauren, Social Media Intern:

My parents went to Marquette University. My cousins, aunts and uncles went to Marquette University. My brother went to Marquette University…I guess you could say the decision for me to be a Marquette Golden Eagle was made for me at birth. But, I would not have it any other way. Currently a senior at Marquette, I am double majoring in Corporate Communications and Spanish for the Business Professions. I love engaging in conversations and meeting new people and enjoy having an out-of-the-box mindset. With my soon to be Bachelors degree in Corporate Communications, I will have a range of knowledge in: Marketing, Public Relations, Consulting, Human Resources, Communication Studies, Corporate Social Responsibilities, Corporate Rhetoric and so on. This major allows me to see both the business as well as communication side of any company. Lastly, I have taken Spanish since the fourth grade and realized how beneficial it is for an individual to speak more than one language. With my Spanish for the Business Professions degree, I will be able to help a company do business or even oversee companies and their factories or departments in Spanish-speaking countries.