“What does J.B.stand for?,” I asked as I started the interview with J.B. Felipe.
“Just brilliant!,” answered investigative reporter at The Hub, Abbie Arroyos, from across the office.
Joseph Brian Felipe is a senior electronic media and communication major at Texas Tech. At only 22-years-old, Felipe already has an impressive resume.
J.B. Felipe working on one of his countless projects.
Felipe started out his career in productions at a young age, while attending Central High School in Keller, Texas. Felipe joined the school broadcast group during his sophomore year, and rose to be known as the voice of Central High.
“Basically, I started off every morning at Central saying, ‘Live, from the main office, this is Central Circuit in the morning!'” Felipe said in his best news announcer voice.
After high school, Felipe went to the University of Texas, Austin to study film. He said after many people discouraged him to pursue film, he transferred to the electronic media and communication program at Texas Tech. Though he initially came because of a scholarship offer, Felipe said he is happy he came to Tech.
“It’s more intimate here,” Felipe said. “You can make closer connections, instead of trying to fight against a lot of other people, like at UT.”
Since coming to Tech, Felipe has definitely worked on making those connections. He is the digital content producer for Texas Tech’s Recreational Sports, where he makes commercials and promotions. Felipe is also the senior event coordinator for The Students for Global Connections group, coordinating their big events. He is also known around the College of Media and Communication as the guy to go to for graphics.
Lawrence Sierra, a senior electronic media and communication major from Littlefield, Texas, is friends with Felipe. He said Felipe is always taking on new tasks, and is impressed with how much he excels at. He joked that he finds him “dreamy,” and he hopes to accomplish as much as Felipe has.
Felipe has many family members in the media industry. He has an aunt who is a vice president of finance at ESPN, and two cousins that work for Disney. Through these family connections, Felipe has gotten to meet many influential people, including the vice president of parades and spectaculars for Disney. He said having family in the industry has inspired him to dream big.
Felipe has many jobs around campus, and is always busy.
“Throughout my life, I’ve always wanted to do something cool,” Felipe said. “I’ve always wanted to make people say, ‘Wow, that’s awesome!’ So, basically, I think Disney does that a lot. That would be a cool place to go.”
Before Felipe makes it big time, he has other jobs to keep him busy. On top of all of his activities at Tech, Felipe has a position at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, producing some of the on-ice events.
With experience in most aspects of electronic media, Felipe will probably be offered many jobs. He said he would like to do something in producing or directing. Felipe said his experiences at Tech have helped to improve his abilities. He said younger students should seek out any opportunity available to them.
“If you like creating things, and you like being creative, then don’t wait for a job to come,” Felipe said, “go out and look for it. There is always that one person on campus that needs help, and you just gotta find it. Find a good adventure.”
As Felipe left the office, he said he was headed to go film a cooking show. Just another task on his never-ending to-do list.
About Sarah Self-Walbrick
