GPL Technologies, a leading provider for IT services for companies in the media and entertainment industry, announced today that Scott Ballard has joined its expanding team as the VP of Software Development. Ballard is set to head the company’s new pipeline consulting division, Pipeline Now, which will provide production pipeline architecture, development, support and training. He will oversee Pipeline Now’s strategic planning, develop new workflows, and manage talent acquisition.
Ballard has 18 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry, with a background in both technical and artistic fields. He has worked as a character rigging supervisor at Cinesite and DreamWorks Animation; CG Supervisor at Sony and Technicolor; and Pipeline Supervisor at Saatchi & Saatchi, RGH Entertainment and Encore Hollywood.
“Scott has the technical competence and artistic vision to implement a pipeline with the entire production team in mind,” says Brian Terrell, CEO of GPL Technologies. “He is able to develop software tools that can be used in an intuitive manner so everyone –from artists to supervisors– can easily collaborate and communicate with each other.”
The company’s CTO Jason Blum adds, “Expanding into software development is a natural step for us as system integrators, and Scott’s depth of knowledge and experience in advanced pipeline development make him the perfect fit for our team. With Scott directing our development division, we’ll be ideally positioned to deliver custom services that can maximize the infrastructure solutions we design, implement, and support.”
Pipeline Now offers custom applications and tools along with integration into the industry’s most popular and specialized applications including from Shotgun/Toolkit, Maya, Hiero, 3DSMax, AfterEffects and Deadline. GPL Technologies will utilize their team of engineers to integrate pipeline tools while their account executives and system architects will help manage the project, procure equipment and ensure deliverables are met on time and on budget.
“GPL has become an indispensable resource for companies looking to expand their creative ambitions while still meeting deadlines and budgets,” says Ballard. “Joining GPL gives me the opportunity to deliver pipelines for multiple studios, not just one, and I’m eager to get started.”
About GPL Technologies
Founded in Los Angeles, California in 2003, GPL draws on over a decade of expertise as trusted technology advisers, adding value for our customers by offering personalized methods of improving IT efficiency, streamlining complex systems and environments, and reducing the costs associated with acquiring and maintaining IT systems with innovative managed services and financial solutions.
For further information, visit http://www.gpltech.com/
