San Francisco-based DotComix has announced that DOONESBURY creator Garry Trudeau has joined the companys advisory board. In addition the company has added key executives and finalized a new US$8.5 million round of financing. Besides joining the advisory board, Trudeau will be the exclusive on-line animator of the DotComix series DUKE 2000. DotComix has since begun a campaign to elect the DOONESBURY cartoon character, Duke, for U.S. President, a campaign that has resulted in numerous television and media appearances, including a live one-hour special on the LARRY KING SHOW. DotComix has appointed entertainment veteran Buzz Hays as head of the studio. Previously, Hays was the co-founder of Tribeca Interactive with Robert DeNiro and head of research and development at THX, the high-tech sound division of Lucasfilm Ltd. Hays will head the company's content development, production and publishing endeavors. In addition, DotComix promoted Mark Scaparro to chief animation officer, where he will lead the company's animation technology and production processes. Also, Brad DeGraf has been appointed as chief creative officer, where he will oversee DotComix's creative direction. DeGraf is one of the three founders of DotComix, which also includes Scaparro and Eric Gregory. Moreover, Jeffery Beer has been named executive producer of DotComix's teen Web initiative where he will develop, build and implement a creative business and Web animation strategy for the channel. Prior to DotComix, Beer worked at Nickelodeon as their executive producer of New Technology. Joining the company roster as writers are Bucky Sinister, author of KING OF THE ROADKILLS; Beth Lisick, author of MONKEY GIRL; and Les Milton and Stephen Brophy who make up the sketch comedy duo, White Noise Radio Theatre. Finally, the 3D animation Web destination has completed a new round of financing, securing $8.5 million. Media Tech Ventures, Rogers Communications and Freedom Communications, among others, are the key backers. "DotComix is a studio focused on the continuous and rapid creation of content developed initially for the Internet but built to be translated seamlessly into other mediums including television," said Damon Danielson, CEO of DotComix. "The addition of talented executives, artistic relationships and new financing confirms our commitment to assume a leadership role in the field of on-line animation."
Read Lee Dannachers Animation World Magazine article on Protozoas DotComix to discovery whats going on at the 3D Web animation site.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
