Gary DePew
Gary DePew, President of Avalon Family Entertainment, is a new media entrepreneur with a rich background in technologically challenging entertainment projects, spanning television, motion pictures, 3D thrill rides, e-learning ventures and also directing interactive games.
Soon after graduating from USC with a degree in Business, DePew became Michael Jackson’s production manager, assisting with the creation of epic music videos for the pop superstar’s BAD album along with a feature length film for Showtime called MOONWALKER. DePew also worked with Jackson in the 3-D film CAPTAIN EO for the Disney theme parks, working under director Francis Ford Coppola and producer George Lucas. DePew then set about producing films beginning with THE WILLIES for Paramount Home Video, then steadily producing hits in the world of independent cinema. A member of the prestigious Directors Guild of America, DePew has produced 21 motion pictures. (See IMDB.com) |
Pascal Goupil
Pascal Goupil, co-founder of Avalon Family Entertainment produced Avalon's recent film JACK AND THE BEANSTALK starring James Earl Jones. Chevy Chase and Christopher Lloyd. He also supervised the distribution effort for the film which is now available in 25 countries and seven languages.
Goupil supervised production finances on eight motion pictures before he joined Avalon. He holds a degree in Public Relations and Management from the International Concierge Institute in Paris, and a degree in Accounting and Economics from the Brevet de Technicien Superieur in Saint Nazaire, France. Prior to entering the the entertainment industry, Pascal worked in upper management at several of Europe’s finest hotels including the Raphael and the Bristol in Paris, and the Ritz, the Duke and the Montcalm in London. He is a member of the Golden Keys, Europe’s highest order of hotel professionals. |
Mary Duda
Virtue Arts
(Game Design) A technology industry leader for over two decades, Mary Duda has earned a reputation as an authoritative voice on the development and application of multimedia technology.
After forming Duda Design in 1982 she quickly gained acclaim by producing Disney World’s EPCOT Grand Opening (1983), She went on to become the leading multimedia architect for the Los Angeles Olympic Committee. Duda then went on to work with AFI (American Film Institute), the U.S. Government, NASA, the Canadian Government and to develop next generation ‘edutainment’ programs for publisher Houghton Mifflin. In 2000, Duda established Virtue Arts, a technology software company and in 2003 Duda launched VirtuePlay, a game development company. |
Matt Warneford
Dubit Platform
(Technology) Matt Warneford has spent an impressive decade in development of virtual world and the technology that drives them.
At just 18, he helped found the Dubit company with the aim of making media more interactive for young people. His work on the Dubit Platform has led to the company producing virtual worlds for the BBC, Cartoon Network and more. Warneford has grown the Interactive Department of Dubit Limited both in terms of sales and technology over the past 8 years. As the current CTO of Dubit Limited, Matthew has extensive skills in development and is a primary architect of Dubit's proprietary Virtual World Platform. |
Jim Franklin
Prodigy Capital
(Financing) Jim Franklin is an entrepreneurial financier, an accomplished corporate strategist, and an investment banker with broad experience in senior executive- and board-level advisory services.
His extensive capital-raising and M&A background ranges from venture-backed start-ups to Fortune Global 50 international conglomerates. He has been the CFO of four development-stage technology corporations. A retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, fighter pilot, and test pilot, Franklin is a veteran of air combat in the Persian Gulf War and holds a B.S. degree from Mississippi State and an M.A. degree from the University of Alabama. His executive education is from MIT. |
Jay Cohen
The Gersh Agency
(Packaging) Jay Cohen started in finance, spending six years at Van Kampen Merritt and later moving to Los Angeles to start the Institutional Investment Program for Fiduciary Trust International of California.
He transitioned to the film business by producing and self-financing "Swimming With Sharks." Partnering for three years with Dustin Hoffman and Village Roadshow Pictures Australia resulted in films that included "A Walk on the Moon" and "Clubland." Cohen then formed Cosmic Entertainment with Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell and Kate Hudson and produced films including the Russell starrer "Dark Blue". Later, he started his own firm, Light Speed Media, and produced films including "Two for the Money" and "Mad Money." He most recently developed and executive produced "Bride Wars." |
