Mills James
Encyclopedia
Mills James is a creative media production company based in Columbus
and Cincinnati, Ohio
that creates and produces broadcast programming and documentaries, corporate and institutional video and film projects, infomercials, television commercials, web and interactive projects and corporate meetings and special events. Additional services include custom music, distance meetings and videoconferencing and digital distribution and transmission services.
Mills James has a staff of more than 125 people whose training and experience cover the creative, electronic and theatrical production disciplines. They include producers, directors, writers, Web designers and developers, special events experts, set designers and builders, music composers, graphic artists and animators, video editors, audio engineers, and support personnel. Most work out of its Columbus Teleproduction Center, which houses the company's studios; editing, audio and visual effects suites; control and engineering centers; its Web and Interactive group; and administrative and business support functions.
In the Westbelt complex, nearby, is the operations center for Mills James' Corporate Meetings and Events group - housing the company's inventory of lighting, audio, projection and AV equipment, as well as its technical support staff, scene shop and transportation fleet.
Mills James' Cincinnati operation serves its larger corporate and advertising clients in the southwestern Ohio/northern Kentucky area with a staff of producers, videographers, editors, graphics designers and technicians.
, Ohio State University
, Procter & Gamble
, Nationwide Insurance
, Fox News
and Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
.
Two Mills James half-hour television series are currently airing on TV stations around the country. The Piano Guy with Scott Houston
, a multiple Emmy Award-winning how-to program, airs nationally on public television, and Cash Explosion
, the Ohio Lottery’s
weekly game show, is broadcast Saturday evenings on a 12-station statewide network.
Mills James' most recent film is The Cartoonist
, a feature-length documentary about the life and work of Jeff Smith, creator of the graphic novel series, Bone.
Mills James practices what it terms 'the art and science of modern storytelling,' combining ideas and technology into designed messages for sales and marketing communications, brand management, investor relations, change management, employee communications and public relations.
Mills James' services include:
Mills James began in May, 1984, when Ken Mills and Cameron James opened their office in the Canterbury building on Olentangy River Road, just north of The Ohio State University main campus. With the addition of staff and equipment, they quickly outgrew the space.
In late 1985, Mills James bought its first building, the former Beechwold Public Library on North High Street. Extra space on the lower level was occupied by another fledgling company, Character Builders, a cel animation firm.
In 1988, Mills James acquired the audio and video facilities and staff of the production division of Discovery Systems, moving into Discovery's building off Post Road in Dublin. This acquisition more than doubled the size of the firm. Shortly afterward, the company began searching for larger quarters, a location which would accommodate larger studios for film and video shoots, out of airplane flight paths to eliminate unwanted noise in the studios, and would offer room for expansion.
On May 1, 1990, the company’s sixth anniversary, Mills James broke ground for construction of the first phase of its present facility on Fishinger Boulevard, a 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) building on 3.3 acres (13,354.6 m²) in the Mill Run development. The Teleproduction Center was completed in November 1990 and opened the first Monday after Thanksgiving, following a three-day move of edit suites, audio studios, production facilities and offices. The new facility opened as home to the nationally-syndicated Life Choices
television show.
In 1992, Mills/James was named Ohio Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, honored at ceremonies in Washington, D.C. A year later, Ken Mills and Cameron James were recognized with Entrepreneur of the Year awards, sponsored by Inc. Magazine
.
In 1994, the United Nations Global Summit on Trade Efficiency was held in Columbus, and Mills James provided all the electronic media support for the U.N. general sessions, including translation technology, videoconferencing, satellite transmission services, and media pool coverage.
By 1995, with over 50 associates on staff, Mills James had begun to outgrow its original building and began construction on a 22000 square feet (2,043.9 m²) addition to the original building. The new space included its signature two-story glass atrium, additional editing and visual effects suites, a presentation theater and a media vault. The addition opened in December with a reception honoring radio and television veterans of the 1950s and '60s.
With the opening of the new addition in 1995, Mills James added interactive capabilities to its portfolio of services with the opening of its New Media department. By 1996, they added Internet development services for clients interested in a presence on the new World Wide Web.
In 1997, the company formed its Presentation Services unit, a content design group focused on creating computer-based business presentations for meetings and events using PowerPoint, Director and other software tools. The company also formed a unit to service the growing AV equipment rental market.
In 2000, Mills James formed its Event Technologies group to bring focus to its event staging, audio visual rental, and growing on-site hotel AV services business. The company also produced one of its first television documentaries, The Road to Something Wonderful, for Ethicon Endo-Surgery
to show how advanced surgical technology is being used throughout the world.
In 2001, Mills James became the first production company in Ohio to implement high definition
when it produced its first television commercial in HD. In 2002, the company partnered with Fletcher Chicago to bring the first Sony Cine Alta high definition production system to the state. The company produced and staged its first corporate event in high definition, using HD widescreen projection systems for a corporate dealer meeting in Orlando.
In 2002, Mills James completed one of its more unusual and enduring special projects, an elaborate multi-colored LED light show behind sculpted glass panels throughout the new Northwest Airlines tunnel at the Detroit Midfield Terminal airport
. This installation, soundscaped with a synchronized custom music composition, written by Victor Alexeeff
, is one of the first, large scale uses of color-changing LED lighting in the United States.
In 2003, Mills James became the home for production of The Ohio Lottery's Cash Explosion weekly television game show, which had been produced in Cleveland since the program's inception.
In 2005, Mills James purchased a 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) building on 2.5 acres (10,117.2 m²) in the Westbelt complex off Roberts Road, west of I-270, to house its Event Technologies group. In 2006, a building expansion enclosed the loading docks and added space for a scene shop and set storage.
In 2007, the company announced the formation of its Employee Stock Option Plan [ESOP] which would transfer partial ownership of the firm to its associates.
In May, 2009, Mills James celebrated its 25th anniversary. In June, the new Ohio Statehouse
Museum opened, featuring interactive displays developed by Mills James' Web and Interactive group for exhibit designer Hilferty and Associates. During the summer, Mills James expanded its high definition capabilities to become the first teleproduction facility in its region with tapeless HD capability end-to-end – from field production to multicamera studio production, to editing, graphics and digital transmission and distribution. Its HD studio control center made the company the first commercial production facility in its region to offer live multi-camera production in both 1080i and 720p HD formats.
In February, 2010, Mills James expanded its Cincinnati operation to better serve its clients in the tri-state region (southwestern Ohio, southeastern Indiana and northern Kentucky.) The firm added staff and facilities to offer more video, broadcast, audio, Web, interactive and corporate meeting and special event services.
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
and Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
that creates and produces broadcast programming and documentaries, corporate and institutional video and film projects, infomercials, television commercials, web and interactive projects and corporate meetings and special events. Additional services include custom music, distance meetings and videoconferencing and digital distribution and transmission services.
Mills James has a staff of more than 125 people whose training and experience cover the creative, electronic and theatrical production disciplines. They include producers, directors, writers, Web designers and developers, special events experts, set designers and builders, music composers, graphic artists and animators, video editors, audio engineers, and support personnel. Most work out of its Columbus Teleproduction Center, which houses the company's studios; editing, audio and visual effects suites; control and engineering centers; its Web and Interactive group; and administrative and business support functions.
In the Westbelt complex, nearby, is the operations center for Mills James' Corporate Meetings and Events group - housing the company's inventory of lighting, audio, projection and AV equipment, as well as its technical support staff, scene shop and transportation fleet.
Mills James' Cincinnati operation serves its larger corporate and advertising clients in the southwestern Ohio/northern Kentucky area with a staff of producers, videographers, editors, graphics designers and technicians.
Productions
Mills James produces commercials, original television productions, documentaries, infomercials, news feeds, corporate videos, interactive media and special events for companies and organizations including Victoria's SecretVictoria's Secret
Victoria's Secret is an American retailer of women's wear, lingerie and beauty products. It is the largest segment of publicly-traded Limited Brands with sales of over US$5 billion and an operating income of $1 billion in 2006...
, Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
, Nationwide Insurance
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company & Affiliated Companies is a group of large U.S. insurance and financial services companies based in Columbus...
, Fox News
Fox News Channel
Fox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
and Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Marysville, Ohio.-Overview:Scotts Miracle-Gro Company manufactures branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, and also provides products for professional horticulture...
.
Two Mills James half-hour television series are currently airing on TV stations around the country. The Piano Guy with Scott Houston
Scott Houston
Scott Houston is a piano player, author, teacher and television personality who hosts and co-produces the Public Television series The Piano Guy. He also is the featured performer on a Public Television pledge special titled Play Piano in a Flash...
, a multiple Emmy Award-winning how-to program, airs nationally on public television, and Cash Explosion
Cash Explosion
Cash Explosion, known as Cash Explosion Double Play from 1989 until 2006, is an official Ohio Lottery TV game show, which is broadcast on television stations throughout Ohio...
, the Ohio Lottery’s
Ohio Lottery
The Ohio Lottery is run by the Ohio Lottery Commission. Its games include Pick 3 and Pick 4 , Rolling Cash 5, Ten-OH!, Keno, Classic Lotto, Powerball, Mega Millions, and scratch tickets. The marketing slogan is "Take a chance on education. Odds are, you'll have fun!" In 1973, the creation of the...
weekly game show, is broadcast Saturday evenings on a 12-station statewide network.
Mills James' most recent film is The Cartoonist
The Cartoonist
The Cartoonist: Jeff Smith, Bone and the Changing Face of Comics is a 2009 documentary about the life and art of Jeff Smith, the creator of the Bone graphic novel series and regarded as one of America's greatest living cartoonists...
, a feature-length documentary about the life and work of Jeff Smith, creator of the graphic novel series, Bone.
Services
Mills James practices what it terms 'the art and science of modern storytelling,' combining ideas and technology into designed messages for sales and marketing communications, brand management, investor relations, change management, employee communications and public relations.
Mills James' services include:
- Studio and location productionVideographyVideography refers to the process of capturing moving images on electronic media even streaming media). The term includes methods of video production and post-production...
- Post production and visual effectsEditingEditing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
- Audio production and custom musicAudio post productionAudio post production is the general term for all stages of production happening between the actual recording in a studio and the completion of a master recording. It involves, sound design, sound editing, audio mixing, and the addition of effects.-Film:...
- Web design and development servicesWeb designWeb design is the process of planning and creating a website. Text, images, digital media and interactive elements are used by web designers to produce the page seen on the web browser...
- e-LearningE-learningE-learning comprises all forms of electronically supported learning and teaching. The information and communication systems, whether networked learning or not, serve as specific media to implement the learning process...
, kiosksInteractive kioskAn Interactive kiosk is a computer terminal featuring specialized hardware and software designed within a public exhibit that provides access to information and applications for communication, commerce, entertainment, and education....
and Interactive mediaInteractive mediaInteractive media normally refers to products and services on digital computer-based systems which respond to the user’s actions by presenting content such as text, graphics, animation, video, audio, etc.-Terminology:... - Meetings and live eventsProfessional audiovisual industryThe professional audiovisual industry is a multibillion-dollar industry, comprising the manufacturers, dealers, systems integrators, consultants, programmers, presentations professionals and technology managers of audiovisual products and services....
History
Mills James began in May, 1984, when Ken Mills and Cameron James opened their office in the Canterbury building on Olentangy River Road, just north of The Ohio State University main campus. With the addition of staff and equipment, they quickly outgrew the space.
In late 1985, Mills James bought its first building, the former Beechwold Public Library on North High Street. Extra space on the lower level was occupied by another fledgling company, Character Builders, a cel animation firm.
In 1988, Mills James acquired the audio and video facilities and staff of the production division of Discovery Systems, moving into Discovery's building off Post Road in Dublin. This acquisition more than doubled the size of the firm. Shortly afterward, the company began searching for larger quarters, a location which would accommodate larger studios for film and video shoots, out of airplane flight paths to eliminate unwanted noise in the studios, and would offer room for expansion.
On May 1, 1990, the company’s sixth anniversary, Mills James broke ground for construction of the first phase of its present facility on Fishinger Boulevard, a 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²) building on 3.3 acres (13,354.6 m²) in the Mill Run development. The Teleproduction Center was completed in November 1990 and opened the first Monday after Thanksgiving, following a three-day move of edit suites, audio studios, production facilities and offices. The new facility opened as home to the nationally-syndicated Life Choices
Life Choices with Erie Chapman
Life Choices with Erie Chapman is a now-defunct nationally syndicated weekly television show on health topics. The weekly, half-hour series was produced from 1987 to 1995 and was designed to motivate and inspire viewers to make choices resulting in a healthier lifestyle.Life Choices began in 1987...
television show.
In 1992, Mills/James was named Ohio Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration, honored at ceremonies in Washington, D.C. A year later, Ken Mills and Cameron James were recognized with Entrepreneur of the Year awards, sponsored by Inc. Magazine
Inc. (magazine)
Inc. magazine, founded in 1979 and based in New York City, is a monthly publication focused on growing companies. The magazine publishes an annual list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., the "Inc...
.
In 1994, the United Nations Global Summit on Trade Efficiency was held in Columbus, and Mills James provided all the electronic media support for the U.N. general sessions, including translation technology, videoconferencing, satellite transmission services, and media pool coverage.
By 1995, with over 50 associates on staff, Mills James had begun to outgrow its original building and began construction on a 22000 square feet (2,043.9 m²) addition to the original building. The new space included its signature two-story glass atrium, additional editing and visual effects suites, a presentation theater and a media vault. The addition opened in December with a reception honoring radio and television veterans of the 1950s and '60s.
With the opening of the new addition in 1995, Mills James added interactive capabilities to its portfolio of services with the opening of its New Media department. By 1996, they added Internet development services for clients interested in a presence on the new World Wide Web.
In 1997, the company formed its Presentation Services unit, a content design group focused on creating computer-based business presentations for meetings and events using PowerPoint, Director and other software tools. The company also formed a unit to service the growing AV equipment rental market.
In 2000, Mills James formed its Event Technologies group to bring focus to its event staging, audio visual rental, and growing on-site hotel AV services business. The company also produced one of its first television documentaries, The Road to Something Wonderful, for Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, is a company that designs and manufactures medical devices and surgical instruments with the intent of minimizing the invasiveness of surgery....
to show how advanced surgical technology is being used throughout the world.
In 2001, Mills James became the first production company in Ohio to implement high definition
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
when it produced its first television commercial in HD. In 2002, the company partnered with Fletcher Chicago to bring the first Sony Cine Alta high definition production system to the state. The company produced and staged its first corporate event in high definition, using HD widescreen projection systems for a corporate dealer meeting in Orlando.
In 2002, Mills James completed one of its more unusual and enduring special projects, an elaborate multi-colored LED light show behind sculpted glass panels throughout the new Northwest Airlines tunnel at the Detroit Midfield Terminal airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport , usually called Detroit Metro Airport, Metro Airport locally, or simply DTW, is a major international airport covering in Romulus, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It is Michigan's busiest airport....
. This installation, soundscaped with a synchronized custom music composition, written by Victor Alexeeff
Victor Alexeeff
Victor Alexeeff began piano studies at the age of four, encouraged by his grandfather. At seven, he entered the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada, and appeared on his first album, "A Tribute to Walt Disney" at the age of nine. Victor Alexeeff studied with Boris Berlin, Marek Jablonski ...
, is one of the first, large scale uses of color-changing LED lighting in the United States.
In 2003, Mills James became the home for production of The Ohio Lottery's Cash Explosion weekly television game show, which had been produced in Cleveland since the program's inception.
In 2005, Mills James purchased a 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) building on 2.5 acres (10,117.2 m²) in the Westbelt complex off Roberts Road, west of I-270, to house its Event Technologies group. In 2006, a building expansion enclosed the loading docks and added space for a scene shop and set storage.
In 2007, the company announced the formation of its Employee Stock Option Plan [ESOP] which would transfer partial ownership of the firm to its associates.
In May, 2009, Mills James celebrated its 25th anniversary. In June, the new Ohio Statehouse
Ohio Statehouse
The Ohio Statehouse, located in Columbus, Ohio, is the house of government for the state of Ohio. The Greek Revival building houses the Ohio General Assembly and the ceremonial offices of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, and Auditor....
Museum opened, featuring interactive displays developed by Mills James' Web and Interactive group for exhibit designer Hilferty and Associates. During the summer, Mills James expanded its high definition capabilities to become the first teleproduction facility in its region with tapeless HD capability end-to-end – from field production to multicamera studio production, to editing, graphics and digital transmission and distribution. Its HD studio control center made the company the first commercial production facility in its region to offer live multi-camera production in both 1080i and 720p HD formats.
In February, 2010, Mills James expanded its Cincinnati operation to better serve its clients in the tri-state region (southwestern Ohio, southeastern Indiana and northern Kentucky.) The firm added staff and facilities to offer more video, broadcast, audio, Web, interactive and corporate meeting and special event services.