Stockholm-based UtopiaPeople, led by co-founder/CTO Stefan Ström and co-founder/CFO Hanna Kallin, announced the launch of UtopiaBook – a new, global talent resource for the postproduction community. Ström, an award-winning editor who has worked with Nike, Crispin Porter & Bogusky, Saatchi & Saatchi and Wieden+Kennedy, joined with TV4 Sweden’s Kallin, pooling their combined experience to create the platform for connecting brands, agencies, film studios and postproduction shops to their database of more than 13,000 freelance artists.
UtopiaBook is a cloud-based system that works simultaneously as a booking tool, as well as a management and organizational hub. “The idea came after several years of recruiting for the film and VFX industry,” Ström explained. “And having successfully recruited in over 30 countries, we clearly saw ways that we could improve how our clients found their talent and significantly cut the time and money they spend on finding them quickly and effectively.” Accordingly, UtopiaBook gives clients direct access to one of the largest databases of VFX talent in the world, allowing them to staff entire departments within hours. For talent, UtopiaBook presents a free, non-exclusive way to be considered for work. The detailed application also continuously introduces new talent into the database, so members can find the best and brightest, helping encourage creativity while exposing more individuals to a wider range of opportunities.
One of the most valuable features of UtopiaBook is its open database-style functionality, allowing artists and members the ability to search and access reels, contacts and references. “Few companies have the resources to build a system like this – a system built entirely for the digital and postproduction community that’s completely white-labeled,” said Kallin. “The system also allows members the ability to import all existing contact lists, which removes the need to double up on effort.”
UtopiaBook has already signed 25 clients pre-launch with plans to grow to 100 clients and 20,000 artists by year’s end.
