Issue No. 208   August 2011

HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY SOLIDLINE!

 

August 8, 2001. SolidLine founders Michael Kromm and Greg Vass set out on a journey to fulfill a lifelong dream of running their own production company. A dream that had been fostering since way back in 1993 when these two lifelong friends acquired a video camera, a microphone, and started making videos. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

SolidLine 10 Year Logo

Today, SolidLine Media is one of the leading high end production companies in the nation, producing dozens of videos a year for large global brands. The full service company provides everything from concept design to scriptwriting to location filming to editing. Plus, SolidLine's in house Art Department develops and designs powerful motion graphic and 3d animations.

 

But it's not just the work that makes SolidLine who they are...it's the people. "We have the most amazing group of production pros working with us everyday," states SolidLine Executive Producer Greg Vass. "We are always finding new ways to balance creativity and substance so art direction is very important here at SolidLine. And that takes a ton of involvement from everyone at all stages of production to pull it off successfully. The SolidLine crew does it, and does it well, each and every day."

 

SolidLine will move into a brand new production facility later this month. The new facility will be located at 180 West Washington in Chicago's loop.

 

THE SLM CREW WELCOMES 2 NEW RECRUITS

 

The SolidLine Media crew is proud to welcome two new full time staff to the team: Production Coordinator Kevin Wright and Motion Graphics / 3D Animator Justin Younger.  Both Kevin and Justin come with a wealth of experience in their respective fields and are adapting quickly to the SolidLine work flow and production environment.

 

"It has been an amazingly crazy first 2 months," exclaims Production Coordinator Kevin Wright. "But I love the work and the pace of things here at SolidLine.  Plus with the 10th Anniversary happening this week and the big move to the new production facility just around the corner, the energy and excitement is great around here!"

 


SLM Top 10

 

10. SolidLine operated out of an apartment in Palatine, IL from 2001-2002. 

 

9. The original name was KV Media Group, not SolidLine Media.

 

8. SolidLine was once a PC based shop, but is now all MAC.

 

7. SolidLine's first vehicle, a Chevy Cargo Van, sat only 2 people. The 3rd crew member had to sit on an apple box in between the driver and passenger. We drove over 50,000 miles throughout 23 states before agreeing we needed to upgrade.

 

6. Art Director Mike Petrik has been with SolidLine the longest (besides the two owners).  He started in March of 2003.

 

5. In the past 10 years SolidLine has conducted over 1,700 filmed interviews. 

 

4. There are only 3 bunks on the SolidLine bus...one crew member sleeps on the couch (yes, the intern!).

 

3. On average, the crew spends 125 days per year traveling on productions.

 

2. The new SolidLine office will not have a conference table. 

 

1. SolidLine's first demo reel was sent via US Mail to potential customers on VHS tape!

BUS SCHEDULE   
SLM August Travel Map 

 

Last Month's Puzzler

 

How many hot dogs are consumed on the 4th of July?

A. 150 Million

B. 75 Million

C. 125 Million

D. 200 Million

 

Kimi Fowler

SLM Puzzler winner Kimi Fowler sports her new SolidLine fleece.

Congrats to SolidLine fan Kimi Fowler from Qvidian who chimed in within seconds with the correct answer of 150 Million hot dogs!

 

The New Puzzler!

In honor of SolidLine's 10th Anniversary celebration this month the Puzzler is doing SLM trivia.  See if you can correctly answer the question below for our best prize package ever!

 

The Question:

SolidLine's incorporated name is KV Media Group, Inc. What does the "KV" stand for?

 

Think you know the answer?  Send it in to [email protected].  If you're the first correct respondent, then you will be outfitted with your very own SolidLine fleece jacket, AND the exclusive SolidLine 10th anniversary coffee mug!  Good luck and thanks for playing!

CREW PICS

Travel Map with SC

 NCSBN Filming on StageWorking on New Office 

On Location in SC 

      

FOLLOW THE CREW

Find us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter 

HAPPY SOLIDLINE TWEETS

Easily the most well produced and intense promo video I've seen.

 

Original Tweet 

 

Marcus Schaller,
@b2bforhumans 

ABOUT SOLIDLINE

SolidLine Media is a full service production house focused on the development and creation of 'smart' video productions across the US and the world. Our full-time in-house crew of professionals can handle any video production project, and create a final product that is fun to watch, and entertaining.

 

View Our Demos Here!

MEET THE CREW

 

     Justin Younger 

2 Qs with SolidLine Motion Graphics / 3D Artist Justin Younger

 

When did you know that you wanted to make cool motion graphic designs, and what made you decide to do it?

I used to make custom levels on 3D video games when I was a little kid. I ended up having a lot of fun with it and went on to get a technical certificate in Computer Drafting, but instead of engineering I choose to carry on my education to 3D Animation. 

 

If you could work for this company from anywhere in the world where would it be, and why?

I would love to work from a log cabin in the middle of nowhere. Camping and 3D animation are two of my favorite things, so to mix them would be awesome.

ASK THE CREW

What makes for a good Saturday morning?

 

Mike Petrik, Art Director

First, I start off cooking a large breakfast for my family.  Most commonly eggs Benedict and smoked salmon and fresh cantaloupe with a side of home style potatoes and honey blueberry blintzes.   

 

Then, before heading to our private box seating at Arlington Park Racetrack, we do a few laps in our official Olympic size lap pool in our sun room.  

 

After collecting our pony winnings for the day, it's brunch with the Senator at the restaurant of his choice.  Usually surf and turf.

 

Next, the day is interrupted as I wake up from my dream. Once awake I take my family to McDonalds.

 

Ed Boe, Director of Photography / Editor

I like to do stuff that I have planned. Sometimes it's been planned for a long time, other times I planned it just minutes ago.  Either way I plan it, then I do it, and then it gets done!
 

Kevin Wright, Production Coordinator

Riding my motorcycle.

 

Justin Younger, Motion Graphics Artist

I am usually trying to recover from Friday night.

 

Marcus Leshock, Writer

Hanging out with my wife and baby.  Maybe going to Home Depot or Bed, Bath & Beyond, if there's enough time.

 

John Courchane, Summer Production Intern

I haven't seen a Saturday morning since starting college...

 

Michael Kromm, Creative Director

Coffee and watching Whale Wars with my boys.

 

Greg Vass, Executive Producer

Taking the fam to breakfast and playing outside with my kids. Maybe meeting Marcus and his family at Home Depot or Bed, Bath & Beyond...if there's enough time.

CREW PICS

Ed shows off
Working in new office
NCSBN Set

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