Centropolis taps 2 exex

Franco picked as prexy, Dem named prod'n head

By MARC GRASER

Centropolis Effects, the f/x wing of Sony-based production outfit Centropolis Entertainment ("Independence Day," "Godzilla"), has tapped Mark Franco prexy and Aaron Dem head of production, the company said.

The appointments come just after CFX's move into a new 30,000-square foot facility in Culver City, where more than 60 animators, compositors and technicians are working on Columbia's "Stuart Little" and Universal's "End of Days."

Franco replaces Steven Puri, who is moving into a production position with Centropolis Entertainment, which was started by partners Roland Emmerich, Dean Devlin and prexy Bill Fay.

Past history

Franco recently ankled Rainmaker Digital Pictures, where he served as veep and worked on effects for pics "Armageddon," "Titanic" and "Flubber." He also served as head of feature film visual effects for the Post Group, working on "ID4" and "Batman Forever."

"Mark has been involved in creating some of the most impressive visual effects ever seen in filmmaking," Devlin said. "Having worked with him on 'ID4,' we are thrilled he is joining our team."

Dem joins CFX from f/x studio Cinesite, where he was visual effects producer on pics "Titanic," "Sphere" and "Space Jam." He also served as a production coordinator at Pacific Data Images.