Production studio launched
Looking Glass Productions, a new full-service production and post-production facility, is now open in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. Mary Long, president and founder, brings with her 16 years of experience in her family’s production business created by her father, Dick Rose – the famous Vilas County fishing guide – in 1987.
"In the beginning, my dad and I were the only employees, and we worked out of the basement of the family home," Long says. "He passed away in 1994, and my mom took control of the business. I managed the company for her along with my brothers." In July, 2003, her mother decided to sell the majority stock ownership, and Long felt it was time to open her own facility. "I started out doing administrative work and basically learned every aspect of the business as the years passed," said Long, who left as vice president of production. "I was responsible for the entire production and post-production process as well as much of the overall management of the company. I learned many things just by trial and error."
Long opened the doors of Looking Glass Productions in January with the assistance of Mitchell Bank. The staff includes online video editor David S. Waxman and audio engineers and musicians Scott Defebaugh and John Laidlaw.
Partnering with Syntax Media of West Chicago, Ill., Looking Glass custom-designed a facility. "We use the best tools of the trade, including our broadcast-quality cameras, our real-time nonlinear edit suite, and one of the few 5.1 surround sound audio suites in the area," explains Long. "For our online editing system, we chose Pinnacle Liquid Edition because of its streamlined workflow and integrated features such as DVD authoring. For audio, we use Nuendo, Steinberg’s award-winning audio production software. It has amazing audio quality for everything from simple voice-over to 5.1 surround."
Firm opens 2nd office
Rutherford Advisory Group of Germantown has opened a second office. The new office is in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward. The company plans to add employees this year.
Racine company becomes Bruno dealer
Action Healthcare in Racine (www.action-healthcare.com) has become an authorized dealer and installer of Bruno Independent Living Aids, an Oconomowoc company that manufactures stair lifts, power chairs and other mobility equipment.
Furniture company starts networking group
Office Furniture Resources of Milwaukee has launched a business-to-business networking group which meets every other Tuesday from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at its offices at 6546 N. 76th St. The next meeting is March 16. The group limits one representative of each industry. For more information, contact Robert Hurst at 414-771-4171 or robertrha@rhurst.net.
New company targets mausoleums, funeral home building projects
Structures of Significance (SOS), a new firm focusing on high-end design and construction of mausoleums and funeral homes, began operations in January.
SOS’s core services are consulting, design and construction and master planning for cemeteries, mausoleums and funeral homes.
SOS’s in-house architects and designers may customize a design for clients, or clients may select a design from a design catalog.
The company headquarters is at W228 N745 Westmound Dr., Waukesha, www.StructuresofSignificance.com.
April 2, 2004 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
