As Chief Engineer and President, Erik Utter brings a wide range of video engineering experience, specializing in designing facilities and managing installation projects for major video production and post-production facilities on a contract basis. He investigates and implements new technologies that are best suited to project requirements after careful consultation with clients and staff. His management of these projects includes consulting, budgeting, design, documentation, installation, and maintenance of all technical infrastructures. He collaborates with installation engineers, architects, environmental and electrical engineers on projects to ensure proper coordination and design to the highest industry standards.
Recently in Torino, Italy, Erik was part of the engineering team for NBC at Palavela working on prime-time figure skating and short track speed skating coverage. He also spent several months working at the NBC Olympics headquarters post-production facility in preparation for the Olympics. This was the first full HD Olympics for NBC.
In Athens, Greece, he was part of the NBC Television engineering team for the Olympics broadcast. NBC produced a record amount of coverage across seven television networks 24hrs a day owing to a tremendous effort by production and engineering staff.
As Chief Engineer at Flying Spot, Erik spent over seven years growing the company into the largest film and video post-production company in the Northwest with a significant amount of digital and high-definition capacity. He engineered a facility that grew into 6 HD edit and effects suites, HD telecine, Over a dozen Avids, on-line, design, 3D, sound design, streaming media, duplications, etc. He regularly consulted with employees and clients to clarify and rectify technical issues, and design creative solutions to difficult problems.
With multiple formats and frame rates of high-definition came many new challenges to the production process. Erik spends time in research and development for clients and consult during pre-production to ensure a smooth process through post and delivery by offering innovative and budget conscious ideas. Producers, editors, and designers benefit directly from this careful planning. He consulted for other clients on the topics of streaming media, digital cinema, acquisition formats, HD camera optimization, etc.
Erik designed the live video control room at Safeco Field for the Seattle Mariners. This project was a result of months of planning, budgeting, designing, and meeting with various contractors and organizations.
In the past Erik was an engineer for Pinnacle Post, at the time the largest production/post facility in the Pacific Northwest. He provided support to editors, colorists, and artists and acted as the network engineer during the early days of multi-platform computer graphics.
In addition to working in post-production, various opportunities have allowed him to work in a variety of areas from high end design boutiques, to film labs, to live broadcast studios and remote trucks.
