Ellen Utrecht

Location Amsterdam, The Netherlands & Los Angeles, USA
Midnight Pictures is an Amsterdam & Los Angeles based film production company with a singular purpose; to create dark entertainment for a worldwide audience. Specificially in the genres, thriller, suspense & horror.

Founder Ellen Utrecht and Hugo Keijzer both strongly believe in the power of entertainment; a form of activity that holds the attention and interest of an audience, or gives pleasure and delight. That’s what their films sets out to do; to capture and hold the attention of a large audience and engage them through emotion. But it doesn’t stop there, Ellen and Hugo believe it’s the responsibility of filmmakers to use the immense power of entertainment to tell meaningful stories; stories that challenge convention, confront reality and open audience’s minds.

The company is based in Amsterdam, with it’s reputation as one of the most liberal cities in the world the perfect backdrop to tear down taboo and expose truth, but Midnight Pictures in essence not a Dutch company. To craft solid entertainment Ellen and Hugo collaborate with the best in the field, from all over the world. See less

Location : Amsterdam Area, Netherlands and Los Angeles, USA
MIKETEEVEE - NOT YOUR TYPICAL PRODUCTION COMPANY

Quite simply, we are a scalable department that is assembled for your specific needs. Your production determines how and when we engage our network of talented individuals who specialise in making great stuff come to life.

We're Mike. And we're here to help.

MIKE mostly makes digital, film, editorial and experiential content for brands. The network of specialists we draw from is big enough to take on just about anything you can think of. As your brand new secret production department, we can take on your identity and add our skills seamlessly to yours.

For DDB, I set-up a Newsroom which created a years worth of social media content for Heineken. Hiring editors from well known magazines, research teams from TV stations, ENG teams, photographers and creating a world wide network of reporters & social stringers.
Check out some of the work here. http://heineken.tumblr.com/

At Minivegas I was in charge of new business, business development. Liasing directly with the clients & developing the content together with the creatives & the directors.

Tribal DDB asked me to produce the content for their a new online platform for Philips. www.philips.com/seewhatlightcando
Content consists of 36, 3 to 5 minute branded content films shot in 8 different Asian & European countries.

Responsible for the overall management of the global accounts Heineken & Red Bull. Directing all aspects related to keeping the client -agency relationship optimal. Oversee all stages of project planning, executions and deployment to ensure highest level of quality is always met. Establish clear directions, set stretching objectives and define clear tasks for team in a well planned and organized manner. Responsible for Finance Management.
Was also in charge of the production for both Heineken, Red Bull and ADIDAS campaigns.

In charge of reorganizing the structure and business strategy of this online agency. Restructured the various departments to optimise efficiency by expanding position responsibility which lead to shorter leads of communication, sense of responsibility and overall higher productivity.
In charge of business development, client services and production department.

Amsterdam & London

Head of TV production (2005-2009)
Charged with managing a department of producers, delegating work and overseeing all projects are
delivered to high standards within timing and budget. Ensure that all producers think outside the box, maintaining and building knowledge of new and upcoming directors, find new talent in all areas of the creative business to feed into the creative department.
Negotiate and liaise with clients on budgets presented, discuss yearly budgets and together with the strategy department make plans for their yearly budget in advertising.
Produce and manage TV, radio, animation, viral and online campaigns, varying from € 5.000 to € 1.4 million budgets. Ensure all producers are able to produce in-house productions directed by our own creatives. Take the lead in finding finance for various KK projects, charity campaigns etc
Actively involved in pitching for new business.

Print Producer (Jun 2000 – Sep 2005)