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About Us |
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BACKGROUND: Wizardly Teleproduction, Inc.Phase oneIncorporated in 1988. Began as a part-time start-up venture and video services contractor which was run out of John's home office with rented equipment. First major client: Hutchinson Technology, 3 training projects 1989-1990. Other early clients included Allina/Abbott NW Hospital, NSP, MN Extension Service, Honeywell/Alliant Techsystems and ThermoKing Corp. Phase Two WizVideo as a full-time venture began appropriately April 1st, 1995. Remodeled our basement to accommodate a full-featured edit suite and work areas. Equipment for edit station and location shooting purchased with family loans. Major clients added include: 3M Post-itŪ Notes & Flags, Accraply Inc., Plunkett's Pest Control, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Bill Mason Chrysler-Plymouth, Embers Restaurants, and United Healthcare Corp. Phase Three After 1999 turned out to be the best year ever, making Marketing VPs duck their heads down the basement stairs seemed a little tacky. In January of 2000 WizVideo found our current space in a 1929 brownstone at 4303 East 54th Street in Minneapolis. It had most recently been a Nails and Tanning Salon with 8 foot cubicles and funky purple sponge painted walls, so we had our work cut out for us. After gutting the space down to bare floor and walls, John designed a workplace to fit the needs and comforts of long hours spent working with clients on their video projects. Since we did all the design, demolition and finishing work ourselves (contracting only the interior walls and electrical) it took until September for the Grand Opening. It was worth the time spent. Because creating video can be a tedious, deadline-driven and nail-bitingly stressful endeavor, WizVideo has always promoted our "Comfy, low-stress, kick off your shoes" atmosphere (hence the "Always Terrific Coffee!" line). Now we really had it! As you first step in the door, from the warm color scheme to the original maple (ex-ballroom dance studio) floors to the antique items, Prairie-style glider/rockers and furniture, we tried hard to capture the old-fashioned service and slower-times feel of our building's historical era. Come enjoy it! Affiliations WizVideo is a member in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. We are also a preferred vendor for the U of M and State of MN through the "U-Wide Contract" program. BACKGROUND: John R. Sparr, President and Creative Director, WizVideoEducationalBA in Radio/TV/Film, 1976; Professional Education Teaching Certification, 1978; MA in Speech Communications-Broadcasting, 1981 Professional FM radio on-air personality 1972-77; Instructor in Broadcast Production, U of M 1979-81; Cable-TV Program producer, later Programming Manager 1982-88. Started WizVideo in 1988. Personal Musician: member of "The First John Philip Sousa Memorial Band" since 1979. An all-volunteer organization, we play about 20 free concerts a year all over the Twin Cities area. Come see us! |
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