Image Metrics, the leading developer of performance-driven CG facial animation in video games and film, announced it has appointed Michael Starkenburg to the position of Chief Operating Officer.
Starkenburg, who has served as a consultant to Image Metrics for the past year, will provide leadership for all operations of the company in the U.S. and U.K.
"Consumers are demanding high-quality, believable CG content, while studios are searching for more cost-effective ways of meeting that demand," said Starkenburg. "Image Metrics is perfectly positioned to help studios balance these needs with its innovative performance-driven facial animation technology and its extensive experience in both film production and game development."
Kelvin Duckett, who was recently promoted to Executive VP of Image Metrics said, "Mike's knowledge of structuring companies for accelerated growth dovetails perfectly with my background of running production facilities. I believe our combined forces will be able to push facial animation to a level previously unattainable in the film, TV and games sectors."
Before joining Image Metrics, Starkenburg was an executive advisor to both private equity firms and technology companies. He has broad experience in growing companies, having managed and scaled operations as well as provided vision for technological development. Starkenburg was a Technology Partner at the Sprout Group, a venture capital fund, served as the CTO of Gemstar-TVGuide and held various senior management positions at Advantix, Outpost.com, and America Online. He earned a B.A. in International Business from The George Washington University.
Image Metrics brings digital characters to life. Providing the entertainment industry's first and only marker and makeup free performance-driven facial animation solution, Image Metrics is creating some of the most emotionally compelling animated characters in computer-generated media today.
Developed over the past seven years by a team of computer vision Ph.D.s, the process enjoys widespread adoption by some of the best known production studios in the entertainment world, including Digital Domain, Activision, Electronic Arts, Rhythm and Hues, Rockstar Games and Sony Imageworks. The company is located in Santa Monica, California, with R&D headquarters in Manchester, U.K.
