Utah Scientific, a specialist in routing switchers and control software, has appointed Scott Barella as chief technology officer (CTO). In his new role, Barella will work closely with the Utah Scientific engineering team and help manage the product roadmap, including ongoing development of the company’s award-winning portfolio of routing and master control switchers. Barella will also drive Utah Scientific’s involvement in the Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), an independent industry trade association dedicated to bringing interoperable and open-standards-based IP solutions to the market.
“Scott has been involved in the broadcast industry since 1977, and I can’t think of a stronger professional to help guide us in our product development,” said Tom Harmon, president and CEO, Utah Scientific. “He brings a rich background in broadcast systems design and architecture, systems integration, and IT video operations, as well as foundational leadership in AIMS — all of which will help us propel our customers into the new frontier of uncompressed IP audio, video, and data.”
Just prior to joining Utah Scientific, Barella was CTO for 5280 Broadcast Inc., a systems integration firm specializing in new AIMS initiatives for moving clients from SDI coax to IP networks. Previously, he served for six years as VP of technology at LARCAN Inc., seven years as VP of engineering with Burst Communications, and 22 years as chief engineer at a variety of television stations as well as at AT&T Broadband (now Comcast). Barella holds a bachelor’s degree in radio and television broadcast from the University of Wyoming.
Barella will report directly to Harmon and will be based in Centennial, Colorado.
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More