Leading Digital Imaging Specialist Named Director of Engineering

A growing client base coupled with the increasingly complex palette of production/post-production options has led Mega Playground founder Eitan Hakami to name Dave Satin Director of Engineering. A digital imaging expert, problem solver and specialist in Video Facility Engineering, High Definition Production, Telecine, and Post- Production Workflow, Satin will be a major asset to the company’s Telecine and Avid editorial/technical support team.
“With new cameras, post-production methodologies and imaging formats being introduced with increasing frequency, a resident authority will be essential in guiding our clients through the complexities of this rapidly shifting environment,” Hakami said.
A long-time engineer for ABC News Special Events coverage, Satin has specialized in providing timely, cost-effective solutions to complex production problems and insuring their smooth integration into post-production. As Director of Engineering for SMA Realtime Inc., he designed, built and operated a number of TV and commercial production and post-production facilities. Most recently Satin served as Digital Imaging Technician for director Michael Mann’s upcoming Miami Vice feature film.
“Dave Satin solidifies our commitment to quality, innovation, and service,” says Mega Playground’s Director of Operations Jonathan Epner. “With our two Avid stars, Sr. Editor, Seth Isaac Buncher and Sr. Avid Technician Nick Brzoza expanding their capabilities on a daily basis, we have grown to the point where we are entering a new league. Dave’s involvement is a key not only to our expansion but to our ability to meet the current and future needs of our clients.
“Our past experience and in-house/in-Avid offline, online, and Telecine expertise coupled with Dave Satin’s extremely creative engineering abilities and knowledge gives us sure footing in the minefield of video technology,” he adds. “Dave can help us do things more efficiently more creatively and more economically. It’s a perfect fit”
A practical example of Epner’s point is illustrated by a recent brainstorming session between Satin and Mega Playground’s staff on a problematic post workflow
involving HDV acquired material. The spirited technical discussion led to the development of a new workflow management process for HDV-captured post-production. The system has been tested and approved by Discovery Channel technical operations and is now being implemented on two TV shows being serviced by Mega Playground for TLC and A&E
“Its about the people, it always has been” Hakami concludes, “We all read about, buy and finance more or less the same equipment. But it’s the cumulative and diverse experience of the group of people assembled at Mega Playground that provides the ultimate benefit to the client in the end.”

Evolving from a partnership between 10-year-old Post Production Playground and Brazilian post house Mega, the new 45,000 sq. ft. three-floor Mega Playground complex opened at 609 Greenwich Street in NYC last May. An extension of the successful mid-town PPP post-house, the new facility is consistently near 100% capacity, and buzzing with both long and short-term clients from the broadcast and feature film worlds.

www.mega-playground.com