ShootersINC has re-named and re-branded as Alkemy X, a change that positions the commercial, network promo, original content, branded entertainment and VFX production company for its integrated future. All divisions of ShootersINC including ShootersTV, ShootersNYC, DIVE and BIGSMACK fold into its new Alkemy X brand name. The company has also expanded its space in New York and added Don Sikorski as VP, development for content, Susie Shuttleworth as exec producer, Bex Schwartz as creative director and Dave Zeevalk as 3D VFX supervisor.
Sikorski is a series creator and producer whose most recent projects include VH1’s hit “Black Ink Crew” and its new spinoff series “Black Ink Crew: New Orleans.” He has created and delivered programming to clients such as CNBC, Nat Geo Channel, NBC, and A&E. Sikorski reports to Mark Finkelpearl, sr. VP of development and production of original content for Alkemy X.
Sikorski said. “I have always wanted to be a storyteller in many mediums and Alkemy X is the definition of a company and creative environment that provides that platform. The company has developed a great environment to develop and produce television. This company to me is what the future of content looks like. They have built a streamlined infrastructure that will allow me as a storyteller to explore many ideas and content development platforms. With the success of ‘Restaurant Impossible’ this is a company that wants to make bold moves in developing television and digital content.”
EP Shuttleworth brings more than 15 years of high-profile television industry experience to her new position. She has served as producer, EP and/or head of production, and honed projects for leading entertainment and consumer brands through such creative entities as 1st Avenue Machine, Loyalkaspar, Urban and Pilot NYC. She has been the EP on more then 25 network rebrands, including the 2011 PromaxBDA Award-winning brand package for Comedy Central. Her most recent accomplishment was launching the Brooklyn-based production company Juniper Jones.
Creative director/writer/director Schwartz joins Alkemy X, having had stints at VH1, doing MTV Games’ on air work, overseeing and producing all of the cross-Viacom (MTV, MTV2, VH1, Logo, Spike, CMT, etc) content for Rock Band, Rock Band 2, The Beatles: Rock Band and Dance Central. She’s led creative on projects for clients including Joyride, Big Star, Pilot, Oxygen, Audio Department, Blue Room, Brand New World, Pure, Advizor, AOL, Fuse, Nick Jr., CNN, Nick Jr., Lifetime, TBS, IBM, and Rolling Stone. Schwartz has also directed music videos for her friends like Mike Doughty and The Long Winters. Most recently, she was the creative director, brand creative of TeenNick (including “The 90s Are All That”) and “NickMom.”
3D VFX supervisor Zeevalk brings to Alkemy X extensive visual effects experience. He comes from Look Effects, where he spent several years expanding the company’s 3D Department and pipeline. While there, Zeevalk supervised both episodic television and feature film projects, including such high-profile credits as: “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” “Noah,” “A Most Violent Year,” “Gotham,” “Games of Thrones,” and “Babylon Fields.” His career has included stints at Zoic Studios, Look Effects/LA and BIGSMACK. He has worked on many award-winning television shows, commercials, broadcast and network branding and video game trailers/cinematics including ABC’s “Lost” and Fox’s “Bones,” Fox’s “Fringe,” HBO’s “True Blood,” ABC’s “Flash Forward,” Craftsman NASCAR commercials, and a “James Bond: Quantum of Solace” video game trailer.
According to Alkemy X president and CEO Ray Carballada, the company’s re-brand is a natural evolution for the company. “Our new brand is an accurate reflection of who we are; a media company that provides integrated creative content to our clients. It became clear that we needed one name and one brand that really told the story of who we are and encapsulated our messaging for clients, so they know immediately the talent and resources that we can provide for their projects.”
