Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - A senior at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Mike Krebs has been working behind the scenes with production companies across the state producing independent films. "Basically, I work with the director and director of photography. They tell me the look they want to achieve and I set up the lights accordingly," said Krebs.

Krebs began working for Mo Productions of Madison, on an independent feature film as a grip. Entitled "Side Effectsx," the film stars actress Katherine Heigl, best known for her stint in Roswell, and takes a satirical look at the pharmaceutical industry.

The film, written, directed and produced by Kathleen Slattery-Moschkau, will have its world premiere at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, Calif., on March 2-13.

In August, Krebs assisted with the production of another short film shot near Lake Michigan in Milwaukee. Produced by New Title Entertainment and entitled, "Sleepwalkers," the film centers around a man who must stop the government's assassin, a sleepwalker capable of entering people's dreams and killing them from within.

Krebs also had the opportunity to help behind the scenes for an ABC sports broadcast of a Wisconsin Badgers Football game in Madison in November and during winter break he helped on a short independent film in Wauwatosa. In February, Krebs began working as the gaffer on another film production out of Milwaukee called "Mamas Boy," which is set to air on PBS in May.

Gaining hands on experience and practical knowledge has helped Krebs solidify his decision to pursue video production after graduation. This is a surprising choice for someone who initially didn't know what to do after high school.

"I was talking to my uncle Paul Olson and his wife, Shareen Olson, both graduates of UWP. They mentioned that UWP had a great communications program, so I decided to give it a try. I really like UWP and the fact that the professors are friendly and personable. I'm on a first name basis with over 98 percent of my professors, all of whom are there for students inside and outside of class," said Krebs.

At UWP, Krebs has been actively involved with the campus radio station, WSUP- FM, where he has worked as the promotions director, on air and in production. He also works for Television Services specifically with videotaping, video and audio editing, master control operation, duplicating tapes, facilitating distance-learning courses and down linking satellite feeds.

"Mike has been an asset to Television Services since he was hired. One of his biggest contributions is his versatility and flexibility. I can always count on Mike to provide quality results and professional service," said Colleen Garrity, director of Television Services at UWP.

A native of Jackson, Krebs is the son of David and Vicky Krebs. He will graduate in spring 2005 with a major in communications technology with an emphasis in broadcasting and a minor in business administration.

Contact: Mike Krebs, UWP student, (608) 348-8224,krebsm@uwplatt.edu

Prepared by: Rachael Lehr, Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, lehrr@uwplatt.edu