Dave Ballard (LABTOPIA) is a well-known figure in the world of post-production and video technology. Born and raised in South Florida, Dave developed an early interest in computers, technology and film, which led him to pursue a degree in Film and Television at Auburn University.
After graduating, Dave continued to lead the production crew for Auburn’s Educational Television Department, where he produced documentary programming for PBS and extension learning. He also served as a camera operator & technical director for Auburn football broadcasts as well as Crew Chief managing, training, directing, and deploying production teams for the university.
In 1996, Dave moved to Atlanta to work as an online editor at one of the largest post facilities in the city. However, he quickly realized that there was a better way to work with digital media than the traditional linear workflows that were in use then. This led him to start his own company, LAB 601, in 1999, with the goal of pioneering a fusion of nonlinear workflows and top creative talent in the Atlanta post-production industry.
Over the next 15 years, Dave and his award-winning team at LAB 601 and later re-branded Labtopia Farms (sound familiar) became development partners with industry leaders like AVID, Boris, Imagineer, Adobe, and many more, helping to shape the future of digital media production and post-production. Under Dave’s leadership, LAB 601/LF became known worldwide for its innovative solutions and future forward technology, while Dave himself became a respected authority in visual effects, colour correction, stereoscopic 3D and nonlinear post workflows.
Today, Dave is recognized as one of the leading figures in the digital media industry, and his work has been honored with numerous awards and accolades with a filmography of over 50 feature films, dozens of television series and thousands of commercial agency spots. He continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, and his passion for technology and innovation remains as strong as ever.
