Utopic Signs Christopher Elliott As Director of Finishing

Utopic has signed director of finishing Christopher Elliott to the Chicago-based post production/digital media company's roster of multi-disciplined talent. Elliott joins Utopic after a ten-year stint as Red Car/Chicago's director of finishing. Prior to that position he was on the staff at Optimus, where he worked with Tim Kloehn, Utopic's co-owner and editor.

Christopher Elliott, Utopic's new Director of Finishing

Elliott's move to Utopic also reunites him with fellow Red Car alumni, Kevin O'Rouke, Utopics motion graphics designer, who came onboard in June. Kevin is a two-time AICE nominee for Best Motion Graphics Design.

I'm very excited to be reunited with Chris. He's an innovative talent who brings both creative and technical ingenuity to the craft of finishing - and is an invaluable addition to our team, says Kloehn. Utopic has evolved into a hybrid post production and digital media company with seamless cross-platform capabilities, and we're still in growth mode. The signing of top-caliber talent like Chris is key to taking our company to the next level.

Christopher Elliott's credits include a long list of national spots, such as McDonald's Super Bowl 2013 spot, All American https://vimeo.com/77644652 and McDonald's Mighty Wings Play Offs, https://vimeo.com/77645214 - both directed by Joe Pytka, as well as Reeses Puffs Ultimate Sessions,and Miller Light See and Say, https://vimeo.com/77644653 and Dating.

In addition to working on a prestigious roster of commercials, Elliott has lent his talent to a number of short films and documentaries, including, NEA Big Read Series directed by Larry Bridges. Also, he edited the animated short Stubble Trouble for Calabash Animation, which earned an Oscar nod in Best Animated Short Category in 2001.

As the director of finishing I enjoy working closely with the editor and agency creatives early in the creative process, says Elliott. I really thrive on the challenge of finding those opportunities to plus every scene and exploring new ideas throughout the finishing process. My favorite days are when the room is flowing with creative energy - and I know that the final commercial has exceeded a client's highest expectations.

Christopher Elliott first discovered his passion for storytelling early in life. He started editing music videos for a local video production company while he was still in high school, and was a professional editor before he could drive. His early work experience also includes cutting local commercials and on-air promotion for PBS station WSIU. While at WSIU.

A graduate of Southern Illinois University, Elliott earned his degree in Mass Communications and Fine Arts with a minor in Marketing. The River to River Run, a documentary directed and edited by Elliott, was honored by The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences College Awards for Best Documentary.'

He got his start at Optimus in 1993, working in the library, and quickly moved up to assistant editor. Elliott was promoted to on-line editor in 1997, and went on to cut a number of high-profile national sports teasers for NBC, CBS, and FOX, while finishing national spots for clients such as, Anheuser-Busch, Nintendo, and Wrigley Gum. He made the moved to Red Car in 2003 as online editor, finishing national campaign for a diverse mix of clients that included Miller/Coors, McDonald's and Jeep. In 2010 Red Car promoted him to director of finishing.

Its great to walk into a company where I have established relationships with so many people, says Elliott. I'm excited to be part of such a forward thinking company and accomplished, collaborative team of talent.

Utopic is committed to creating an open-architecture creative environment where top-caliber talent can work as a collaborative team to create visually compelling spots that engage audiences and connect them to brands - across multiple platforms, says Utopic president, Jan Maitland. Christopher Elliot is a master at providing innovate, creative solutions that push the boundaries, and set his work apart from the crowd - and that's what Utopic is all about.

With the addition of Elliott and recent signing of O'Rouke, Utopic continues to vet new talent that will further elevate its work and expand its capabilities as an integrated post production/digital company.

About Utopic:

Utopic is an award-winning one-stop hybrid post production/digital company dedicated to providing agencies and brands with multi-platform integrated VFX, editorial, production, audio and interactive services. Its collaborative consortium of artists and producers offer a seamless approach to everything from traditional broadcast commercials and promos to complex interactive rich media, web content, mobile apps and virals. Utopic's mix of work includes broadcast spots and digital media content for clients such as Samsung, Kellogg's, McDonald's, Toyota, GM, NBC, Kraft, Shelterbox and Sears, to name a few.

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