About Us


About Us is more or less, about me. But I’ll get to the “us” later. As such, this may read much like a resume. But since I am the owner and do the majority of the work, I figure you may want to know a brief background. My name is Mike Ceolla. I started Encompass Media Productions in 2002 as a way to continue making a little money from my passion and hobby, media production. And that includes any and all media…at least all that I can think of.

My History

My interest in these arts began back in high school where I shot and edited a video yearbook, numerous sports team highlight videos, and other little projects.

I attended UW-Madison and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Arts: Emphasis in Radio, TV, and Film. Before school even began my first year, I was able to get a job with UW-Madison Intercollegiate Athletics Dept. in both their Video Services and Technical Services (IT and web) departments. The video job entailed video taping various sports’ practices and games as well as editing a highlight clip for the football players to watch right before their next game. I was the Multimedia Specialist in the Technical Services department for their athletics website. All the video, audio, stills, and media web pages were my responsibility.

During college, I also interned at WKOW-TV Ch. 27 as a videographer. There I learned to shoot and edit news stories, operate studio equipment and lighting, and before graduating from college, secured a paying job directing and technical directing the morning news show.

After 9-11, budget cuts at Ch. 27 led to hour cuts which led to me looking elsewhere for work. I enjoyed a brief stint at Full Compass selling professional audio and video equipment nation wide before I was able to get back into TV, directing the morning show at WISC-TV Ch. 3.

Around 3 years passed at Ch. 3 before I finally realized what people had been telling me for years.  And that is, there is no money in local TV production.  I enjoyed working at Ch. 3, but it wasn't going to help me achieve my financial goals.

I am currently working at ExploreWisconsin.com producing websites, developing online applications, and administering servers.  Computers are another hobby of mine which makes this job quite enjoyable.

Encompass Media Productions Is Born

Back in 2001 I was asked to video tape a wedding for my cousin’s friend. So I and a co-worker shot and edited the wedding with some of Ch. 27's equipment. Aside from our small fee, they were so pleased with their video that they gave us a $150 tip. Then I realized, “This is kinda fun. And making a little money doing something I enjoy sounds like a great idea.” So I took out a couple loans, bought some nice equipment, and there we have it.

I plan to continue running Encompass Media Productions for many years providing all kinds of media and internet related services, but it will remain a part time venture...at least for the time being.

 So, who's this “us?”

No, I don't have any full-time employees, but I can’t do EVERYTHING by myself. For example, a multi-camera shoot. When I need extra hands or skills, I go to the best that I know of for the required task. Having been in the professional media industry in Madison for over 10 years and at 4 different places, I’ve met, and know, a lot of talented people. If I need another person or if anything comes up that I personally may not know how to do, I basically outsource, as it were, to a skilled colleague. They are the “us.” They can do ANYTHING, and together we do EVERYTHING.

Why choose Encompass Media Productions?

For one, as I have hopefully illustrated, you’ll be getting professional quality work. Myself and any of my contracted employees are already professionals in the TV, web, or music industry. And two, you’ll be getting it at the most reasonable price possible. We can do this because running a business out of a home and without full-time employees is rather inexpensive compared to our “big time” counterparts. In addition, our full-time jobs supply us with enough income to offer you prices much lower than our competitors.

So basically, you get professional work for non-professional prices. What could be better?

If you have a media related need (video, audio, print, web, etc.), we can do it for you.