Utopic hires Gray for new post producer position

New Utopic post producer Lauren Gray

A NEW STAFFER for Utopic Editorial & Finishing, celebrating its fifth anniversary this month, is post producer Lauren Gray. The new position was created when executive producer Heather Mitchell’s overall duties increased.

Most recently Gray spent 18 months with Energy BBDO as integrated broadcast production manager.  The Naperville native attended SMU Dallas earning a double degree in film and media arts and marketing.  She gained experience as cinematographer and editor on several female-directed films as part of an American Film Institute program.

IN SPRINGFIELD, the Central Illinois Film Commission’s annual Holiday Party Dec. 18 is the also the occasion when they induct member scenic paint designer Jim Betts into the CIFC’s Hall of Fame. Betts had worked for Paramount Pictures for 35 years, where his wife, Veronica, had been the studio paymaster. Moving to Springfield, Betts had been engaged in many of the movies that have filmed Downstate.

The event will be held at the Hilton Hotel, starting at 7 p.m.  

THE NATIONAL AICP is gearing up for next year’s 14th annual AICE Awards by calling for entries from the North American post industry.  Deadline is Monday, Feb. 2 for entries in 21 categories: 16 for editorial and five for other post production crafts such as audio mixing, color grading, design, sound design and visual effects. Winners will be announced at the AICE Awards Show, set for Thursday, May 14, 2015, at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

Full category descriptions and entry requirements are available here.

Two Chicago post executives, Cutters’ Craig Duncan and Utopic’s Craig Lewandowski head the awards committee, along with Chris Franklin, editor/owner of Big Sky Editorial, New York and Bob Spector, editor at Beast, San Francisco.

A MAJOR ADDITION TO CIMMFEST movies and film festival is Adam Montgomery, former Sundance senior manager of programming since 2005, where he oversaw the selection process for the more than 12,000 annual festival submissions.

And while we’re at, be informed that Jan. 30 is the entry deadline for submissions to the 2015 festival. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!  Send us your expectations for 2015 for an informal survey we’re running to get an idea of how the New Year will shape up.  And needless to say, we invite you, regardless of company size, to send your news and notes to ruth@reelchicago.com.