Here’s information about the pros you can meet at

November 17, 2009 Oakton Community College

OPENING SESSION: Finding Your Way

Tim Heck, Professional Actor and Dancer

Tim Heck has worked professionally as an actor and modern dancer throughout the Midwest since graduating from Hope College in 2004, with a theatre major and dance minor. He has worked with several companies including, Giordano Jazz Dance , Thodos Dance Chicago, Lucky Plush Productions, Redmoon Theatre and Hope Summer Repertory Theatre. Mr. Heck has also toured throughout the U.S. and internationally to Mexico, and Germany.

Most recently, Tim completed nearly two years as a full-time Blue Man in the internationally acclaimed Blue Man Group, and can still be seen occasionally performing at the Briar Street Theatre, the show’s home in Chicago. He is also currently working on a multi-year project with Molly Shanahan/MAD SHAK titled Stamina of Curiosity, and can be seen as a cheerleader with Chicago’s “astounding circus punk marching band,” Mucca Pazza.

FEATURED PRESENTATION: The ‘State’ of TV News

Anne State, WBBM-TV News Anchor

Anne State is the co-anchor of CBS 2 News at 5:00 PM, and reports for the late newscast at 10 PM. She has been honored with three Emmy Awards, a Missouri Broadcasters Association Award and an Iowa Broadcast News Association Award.

Ms. State began her broadcast career as a reporter and anchor at KTKA-TV in Topeka, Kansas, and went on to become the morning anchor and reporter in Des Moines and St. Louis. Prior to coming to Chicago, she anchored the 10:00 PM newscast on KSWB-TV in San Diego, California. While there, Ms. State covered numerous breaking news events including the Southern California wildfires, a trial witness who was murdered immediately before she was set to testify, and cross border issues.

Since moving to Chicago, Ms. State has written and reported several important features, including, “The Face of Foreclosure,” which offered viewers specific tips to help avoid foreclosures and save their homes, and a story about a downtown “fish hotel” designed to encourage marine life in the Chicago River.

Ms. State earned her M.S. in broadcast journalism from the University of at Urbana-Champaign and her B.A. from the University of California at San Diego. She has also lived and worked in London, England and Sydney, Australia.

TV Production: Careers as a TV Producer and Director Davis Goolsby, Director, ABC7, Chicago An Emmy winner for directing, as well as other awards for his skills as a videographer and editor, Mr. Goolsby directs the weekday morning newscasts at Channel 7 and 190 North, a weekly entertainment series, as well as special events, such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Chicago’s New Year’s Eve celebration.

Jay Smith, Producer, WTTW Mr. Smith recently received his sixth Emmy Award from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in writing. Among other awards, he has also received two Peter Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism and a Bronze Plaque from the Columbus International Film Festival. He has been with WTTW since 1989, when he began working on Chicago Tonight. For eight years he produced the weekly broadcast of Chicago Week in Review. In addition, he produced WTTW’s national (PBS) series Handy Ma’am with Beverly DeJulio, and the light-hearted, issue-oriented talk program The Cheap Show. He has also produced a number of commentaries for the Chicago Stories series. Currently he works on Chicago Tonight, Chicago Stories and Chicago Sunday. Mr. Smith earned his undergraduate degree in Telecommunications at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and is a graduate of Maine East High School.

TV Field Production ~ Shooting Solo or with a Mobile Production Studio Charlie Braico, Technical Director, ABC7 Chicago (A Focus on the Equipment) A veteran of ABC7 since 1980, Mr. Braico has been the technical director at the station since 1986. Prior to that, he was the studio and field engineer. His lengthy credits include: ABC7 News, ABC7 Election Night Coverage (1987-2000), The Show, Michael Jordan’s Airwaves, Sports Final, local public affairs shows, programming & news department specials as well as parade coverage and telethons.

Joe Lynn, Photographer, WGN-TV Mr. Lynn wanted to be a print journalist, but nearly tore his hair out trying to write under deadline. Since he also enjoys playing with cameras, he’s found a comfortable medium as a TV news photographer. Over the last eight years, he has worked in Lansing and Grand Rapids, , and is now a staff photographer at WGN Channel 9. His work has been recognized by the Associated Press, Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Sierra Club of Michigan.

Keith O’Brien, Director of Production and Marketing, Trio Video (See last page for bio)

TV Post Production: Careers as a Video Editor and in Post Production Scott Marvel, Vice President and Editor, Daily Planet Scott Marvel is the Vice President and Editor of Daily Planet Ltd., an editorial and motion graphics company in downtown Chicago. He started at Daily Planet in 1989 after graduating from Columbia College and worked his way up from assistant to editor. He also operates teetsy.com, an online t-shirt company.

Matt Mueller, Editor, Big Shoulders Digital Video Mr. Mueller has edited projects for Anheuser-Busch, Harpo Studios, SBC, Sears, Federal Express and The Show. He joined the staff of Big Shoulders in 1998 following work in corporate video production and as a video editor at Foote, Cone & Belding, a major agency. A north suburban Chicago native, Matt graduated in 1996 from Southern Illinois University.

Meteorology: A Scientist On TV Ginger Zee, Meteorologist, NBC5, Chicago Ms. Zee received regional Emmy awards for Best Weathercast in 2007 and 2008. She has been a meteorologist at NBC5 since 2006, and began her broadcast career in 2002 reporting the weather on radio in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Three years later she moved to television, working first in Flint, Michigan, then returning to Grand Rapids. While at the NBC-TV affiliate there, Ms. Zee also reported on the environment, science and the impact of weather on our region. She earned a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Valparaiso University, where she serves as an adjunct professor.

TV Production: Running Your Own Production Co. Dragin, Owner, Shooting Star Productions, Inc. Steve Dragin founded Shooting Star Productions two decades ago after graduating from Columbia College. He works as a Cameraman/Director of Photography for clients including American Farm Bureau Federation, Molex, Fine Line Productions and United Airlines. His broadcast work is seen on Oprah, CNN, Jim Leherer, The Food Network, CBS Early Edition, Fox Sports/Comcast, WGN-TV and many others.

Rob Orr, President, Rob Orr Productions Rob Orr is President of his own production company and produces films, videos and multimedia. He has diverse film and video production experience as producer, director, cameraman and editor. These include international assignments in Canada, Europe, South America, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, China, New Zealand, Cuba and Korea. Credits include Director/Cameraman for a PBS series on American Architecture, Pride of Place, and Director of Photography for Smithsonian World, a national television series that ran for five years.

Radio: Careers in Radio Pam Hamil, Director of Marketing and Promotions, US99 (WUSN-FM) Ms. Hamil has been the Marketing Director at WUSN-FM Chicago since January, 2000. WUSN averages 1.1 million weekly listeners and its website, US99.com, averages over 1.4 million unique users and 3 million page views per month. Prior to WUSN, Pam was the Marketing Director for the Clear Channel Cluster in Corpus Christi for five years.

Patty Martin, Program Director, The Drive (WDRV-FM) Since its inception in 2001, Ms. Martin has been the Program Director for 97.1 The Drive, (WDRV-FM). While studying at Elmhurst College, Ms. Martin began working at the college station, WRSE. She interned twice at WXRT and later went on to Q101. While living in California, Ms. Martin worked on-air and as a music director at KMBY, Monterey and KSJO, San Jose. She has since worked in Houston, Texas and in Chicago as Music Director for WXRT.

Radio News: So You Want To Be In The Glamorous World of Journalism? Susan Wiencek, Public Affairs Manager, The Mix (WTMX-FM) and Love FM (WILV-FM) Ms. Wiencek has worked at various public and commercial radio stations and has been honored with numerous journalism awards. Born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, she was headed toward radio news at an early age. At Southern Illinois University Susan majored in Radio and Television News, with minors in Political Science and Dance. Her tap dancing skills have come in handy, especially when interviewing mayors and governors. She lives in Chicago with her husband, two children, and their dog, Brownie.

Internships: What Should I Expect? Tess Golcher, Human Resources Director, CBS2 Chicago Ms. Golcher is Human Resources Manager at WBBM-TV / CBS 2 Chicago. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree and an MBA from Elmhurst College and has been with CBS for over 2 years. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be in the journalism/broadcasting field.

Stephanie Polcyn, Assistant Promotion Manager, The Mix (WTMX-FM) and Love FM (WILV-FM) When Ms. Polcyn grew up in Algonquin, Illinois, little did she know that one day she would be the Assistant Promotion Manager at 101.9 FM The MIX and Chicago's 100.3FM! She had always had a passion for music and thought marketing was interesting, so she decided to pursue a career that would combine the two. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from DePaul University and throughout college she had internships at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 101.9 FM ~The MIX, Urbangroove Lifestyle Marketing, and KMA Management. Ms. Polcyn also had an internship for singer/songwriter Todd Carey and his manager, because she wanted to see the industry from different angles to determine which one she was most interested in. Marketing at a radio station won her heart. She strongly stands by the song that has a line, "Go make a life, not a living,” because she’s constantly being challenged at something she loves to do and she wouldn't trade it for the world.

Media Performance: How to be Seen and Heard Milt Smith, Audio Producer/Engineer, SoundSmith Mr. Smith is the founder and owner of SoundSmith, an audio design, recording and production company. His diverse experience has included working as a sound engineer, audio producer and director. He has recorded and/or produced commercials for numerous Fortune 500 companies as well as music projects for many “big- name” performers ranging from Chicago, to Mel Torme, to Jackie Wilson.

Adam Verner, Broadcast Performer Mr. Verner has performed on stages all around the Chicago area and performed 80 voice-over projects for clients such as Gillette, McDonalds, WinterFresh Gum, Miller Beer, Ford, and Kmart. He recently recorded his 15th audio book. He studied theatre and broadcasting during his undergraduate studies at Bradley University in Peoria, IL. Mr. Verner received his Masters of Fine Arts in acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in 2009.

Ellie Weingardt, Actress Ms. Weingardt was born and raised on the south side of Chicago and has always had show-biz in her blood. She continues to study acting and improvisation, but is probably best recognized as a sought-after voice over performer whose clients include Coca Cola, Sears, Kelloggs, Allstate, AT&T and Mc Donald’s. The recipient of the “Windy Award” for best Chicago voice actress, Ms. Weingart has also appeared on Chicago stages in productions of Shear Madness and Follies. Her film credits include roles in Save the Last Dance and A League of Their Own. Most recently, she has applied her improv-impressionist talents to portray celebrities like Lucille Ball and Joan Rivers for corporate and social events, and has taken her own walk down “red carpet” at the Academy Awards. Theatre: Breaking into “The Business” Lynn Baber, Artistic Administrator, Northlight Theatre Ms. Baber has worked professionally as teacher, administrator, director, costume designer, sketch writer, improviser, producer and actress in Chicago. For the past eight years, she has served as the Theatre Arts Director of the National High School Institute (the Cherub Program) at Northwestern University during the summer. Ms. Baber received her BFA in Drama from the North Carolina School of the Arts.

Devon deMayo, Academy Director, Northlight Theatre Ms. deMayo has taught theatre in a variety of settings, including the National High School Institute at Northwestern University and at schools in London, England and Sydney, Australia. Ms. deMayo is a founder and Associate Artistic Director of Dog & Pony Theatre Company, and has also worked at Steppenwolf Theatre, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, Storefront Theatre, American Conservatory Theatre, Finborough Theatre, Canal Café Theatre and South Coast Repertory Theatre. She received an MFA in Theatre Directing from Middlesex University in London, and a BA in Drama and Political Science from Kenyon College. She has also studied at the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts (GITIS) in Moscow and the Indonesian Institute for the Arts in Bali.

Theatre: Life Onstage and Backstage: Careers in Theatre Larry Baker, Stage Manager, Jersey Boys Mr. Baker, of the Tony Award winning musical, Jersey Boys, currently playing at the Bank Of America Theatre, has stage managed all over the Chicago area, as well as Broadway, Off-Broadway and touring companies.

Dominic Scaglione, Jr., “Frankie Valli,” Jersey Boys Mr. Scaglione previously played the role of Frankie Valli in the Las Vegas Company of Jersey Boys and now heads the Chicago cast. Believe it or not, this is his very first major role! He was previously a construction worker in his native New Jersey, but after extensive auditioning, he won this prize role.

Jared Bradshaw, “Male Swing,” Jersey Boys Mr. Bradshaw is a four-time NATS winner (National Association of the Teachers of Singing), has recorded 2 CDs, and has toured Europe with the Shorter Chorale twice under the direction of John Ratledge. He is a baritone by trade, but sang Bass II with the a capella group "Somethin' Else,” also performing vocal percussion and beat box. Mr. Bradshaw has soloed at Carnegie Hall, and has had the privilege of performing for such celebrities as Donny Osmond, Rosie O'Donnell, Malcolm Gets, Stephen Sondheim, John Landis, Joan Rivers and President Jimmy Carter. He has been performing in musicals since he was 11, and he currently resides in on his favorite street, Broadway. Mr. Bradshaw is a graduate of the BFA Musical Theatre program at Shorter College in Rome, GA. This southern boy is the son of a preacher man, and has performed all over the world living his dream of performing for a living.

Sports Reporting: Careers That Let You Cover All the Bases Dan McGrath, Sports Editor, Mr. McGrath began his career writing for his high school paper. During his thirty plus years in the newspaper business, Mr. McGrath has been a baseball writer, media columnist, a national correspondent and a sports editor.

Rick Morrissey, Sports Columnist, Chicago Tribune The Chicago Headline Club chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has named Rick Morrissey as one of the winners of the annual Peter Lisagor Awards for Exemplary Journalism. Mr. Morrissey, along with fellow sports columnist Mike Downey, focuses on the sports scene, teams and personalities in the Chicago area. Mr. Morrissey’s four weekly columns can be read in the Chicago Tribune sports pages.

Advertising & Marketing: Careers in Creativity Stacy DuPree, Vice President, Lipman Hearne Advertising Ms. DuPree is a media specialist with extensive knowledge in research, planning, sales, and buying. She currently directs the operations of the media group while managing long-term strategic development and she is responsible for developing strategies and planning for a number of higher education and other nonprofit clients. Ms. DuPree has worked with a variety of clients, including corporations such as American Airlines, Chrysler, and Miller Beer to more locally directed institutions such as the University of Chicago Hospitals and WMAQ- TV, as well as Alliance for Justice, the Chicago History Museum, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Oakton Community College, The New Teacher Project, and several major universities. Ms. DuPree holds a B.S. degree in both speech communications and journalism from Southern Illinois University.

Craig Schwartz, Vice President, Creative Director, Lipman Hearne Advertising Mr. Schwartz’s work spans all media, from print and interactive to out-of-home and television. His work has been recognized for its creativity and effectiveness, and he has accumulated several honors from the Cannes International Advertising Festival, One Show in New York, the Promo Interactive Awards, Pro-Comm, London International Ad Awards & Interactive Marketing Awards. Mr. Schwartz has creatively directed and designed for numerous brands and companies, including Citibank, Fruit of the Loom, Kellogg’s, Kraft, Miller, Procter & Gamble, and Sony. Craig graduated from Syracuse University with a B.F.A. in Illustration. He is a coach with the American Youth Soccer Organization and a community volunteer.

Photography: Careers Creating Images That Sell Chris Guillen, Freelance Commercial Photographer Mr. Guillen is an independent commercial, documentary and portrait photographer who regularly receives shooting assignments for photos that have appeared in Chicago Magazine, Esquire, Crain’s Chicago Business, Chicago Social Bride Magazine and Metropolitan Home. Mr. Guillen also does work for the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a frequent and popular presenter at Media.COM.

Interactive Multimedia: Breakthrough or Blend In? Doug Duty, Vice-President of Client Services, StudioNorth Mr. Duty works directly with Fortune 500 clients like Abbott, BP, CDW and Motorola on large scale advertising campaigns. His background is in design, and he uses those skills each day when assembling teams of creative people to produce projects all over the world. Mr. Duty brings 20 years of experience and a strong discipline to his “Form Follows Function” approach. He believes in getting his clients real results with breakthrough brand communications and advanced technologies.

ALSO AVAILABLE AT MEDIA.COM: VISIT A MOBILE PRODUCTION VAN (Courtesy Trio Video, Chicago)

Host: Keith O’Brien, Director of Production, Trio Video Mr. O’Brien, Director of Production and Administration for Trio Video, oversees the company’s day-to-day production, marketing, HR, and labor relations areas. He has worked in production and operations management for Turner Sports and NBC Sports overseeing telecasts of MLB, NBA, NFL, PGA and the Olympics.

Another learning opportunity sponsored by NSERVE and Oakton Community College