Are you a recent grad who is still looking for that perfect job? I know how you’re feeling: It took me three agonizing months post-graduation to land my first job at Roanoke.com. If your story is similar, this post is for you. Instead of complaining about the flailing market and lack of jobs, why not be like Melina Kolb and start your own company? Eight months ago Melina decided to create Tellit Multimedia, a video production studio that is based in Chicago, Illinois. Her entrepreneurial spirit inspires me and I hope her success story energizes you to consider starting your own venture as well.
Q) Please briefly introduce yourself and your role at Tellit Multimedia.
A) My name is Melina Kolb and I founded Tellit Multimedia in February of this year, based in Chicago. I was fresh out of journalism school at Northwestern University and decided to start my own company after spending the past six years doing freelance video. My work has aired on WTTW-11 (the local PBS affiliate), CBS 2, NBC Chicago’s website and Current TV’s national cable channel. I’m still a baby company so right now it’s just me. I am Executive Producer, Creative Consultant, Videographer, Office Manager, etc. etc…
Q) What makes your company unique? (ie what’s your elevator pitch?)
A) I create documentary style content that tells the story of individuals, non-profits, and small businesses. I rely on interviews, not scripts, to tell that story.
Q) How do you drive innovation and creativity?
A) I think my approach to video making, especially promotional content, is unique. It requires getting the perspective of different people and weaving their points of view into a compelling story. I think it’s refreshing to hear real people and not actors.
Q) What company portfolio piece are you most proud of?
A) I love this “docu-wedding” I did for a couple getting married in West Texas. I did separate interviews with them beforehand asking how they met and fell in love, then edited together their different versions. It was funny getting both sides of the story. I was also aiming to not make another cheesy wedding video, so I think I accomplished capturing the actual story of their relationship and how it all came together at their wedding.
Q) How do you see your company expanding in the next five years?
A) I’m hoping to gain some more clients who are looking for regular content for their websites along with some larger scale projects, such as fundraising and wedding videos. At this point, I’m right on the cusp of needing to hire someone to help me. In five years, I envision having a solid group of video producers for multiple simultaneous gigs. And a really cool office.
Q) Why would your company be an ideal place to work?
A) My company’s work allows room for creativity and direct input. Video making is (in my opinion) the most fun and rewarding type of work you can be in, as long as you are willing to put in the hours and find people who like what you do.
Q) Will you divulge any funny stories that can give us an insight into the day-to-day operations at your company?
A) I was shooting a networking event for an educational organization and there were a bunch of women helping me find people to interview. They started cooing over a handsome employer then decided I should interview him since he’d be “nice on camera.” As I was talking to him, the women stood behind us giggling and pointing. Somehow I kept a straight face, but I can’t say if I turned red or not. There was also this time when I was shooting some b-roll of a street intersection and I captured a car rear-ending another car.
Q) What recommendation do you have for people either entering the workplace or looking to transition to this type of work?
A) If you want to go into video, start small. Join a filmmaking organization and learn the ropes, then see if you can find someone who would like you to make a video for them for free. Then it’s all about gradually expanding your portfolio and meeting people who like your work. I started out by learning documentary filmmaking in college then entering my first film in a national contest. I ended up winning, which led me to get more jobs from people who liked that first video. Soon, I became known as a “video person” and people who knew me kept referring me to others looking for video makers.
Q) On that note, are you currently hiring?
A) I anticipate needing to hire in the next year, as I am currently pushing the limits of what one person can do.
Want to recommend a multimedia company to be highlighted in this series? Please email us at innovativeinteractivity@gmail.com. A company will be featured every Friday, so look for the next company spotlight Friday, October 15th!
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