DAFVM Spotlight Employee: Brian Utley
Brian Utley
The Office of Agricultural Communications relies on Brian Utley for educational video production with creative flair.
Utley produces public service announcements and commercial videos for the MSU Extension Service and the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine. He also produces long-form instructional videos, promotional pieces and some documentaries. Utley serves as an assistant producer and videographer for all segments of The Food Factor and Southern Gardening.
Utley said his favorite part of his job is the creative process involved in each production he faces.
“I like bringing out the best in every production,” Utley said. “This may mean scene lighting, creative humor, or maybe just finding the best angle, framing and exposure for the perfect shot. Probably my favorite, though, is the on-camera interview process, when it is so important to put the interviewee at ease and establish a comfort zone and connection with them. When that powerful, heartfelt sound bite gets delivered, I know I’ve done my job well.”
Utley said one of his favorite memories is when lead videographer David Lack went against a crop-duster.
“David and I had intentionally set up along the runway wanting to get a really great close-up shot of the pilot taking off,” Utley said. “We thought we were well out of the way and not in any danger, but we were wrong. When the plane buzzed by much closer than we anticipated, David can be heard on camera saying, ‘Not real smart.’ It was priceless.”
Utley recently won a Lantern award, the top honor given by the Southern Public Relations Federation, for his gun safety PSA, “When Is Brother Coming Home?”
In his free time, Utley enjoys turkey hunting, writing music, and sports photography. He has been married for 16 years to his wife, Jessica. Utley and Jessica have three boys: Brice (14), Kanden (12) and Cooper (8).
Editor's note: The Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Spotlight Employee profiles are provided by the Office of Agricultural Communications at Mississippi State. For more information, please click here.
