Our Team



Ralph Watson - Chief Executive Officer

Since 1995, Ralph has been involved in broad segments of the music industry, from organizing independent tours, performing nationwide and record production to producing television multi-commercials, infomercials, music videos and media kits for independent and national artists.  Altogether he has produced more than 100 albums and singles that achieved both regional and national acclaim.  Ralph has been a dedicated community volunteer helping non-profits develop programs and raise funds for such causes as drug rehabilitation, homelessness, troubled teens, and veterans’ needs.  As co-founder of Young Men of Color Movement, he has helped communities reach out to troubled youth to provide outlets for self-expression through arts and entertainment. 

  “3D is the future of entertainment and we will be at the forefront creating “Next to Live™” entertainment for a wide range of audiences. We will push the envelope of 3D content, not only to advance our industry but also to create ‘how’d they do that’  individual experiences that up to now have been unattainable.” 



Donnie Gates - President

Donnie Gates has worked in the telecommunications industry for more than 10 years. Originally trained in Business Service Technology 1 and 2, he earned diplomas in each studying the basics of business systems, technologies, operations, and structure.  Following, Donnie led sales and generated the highest revenue in the Midwest region for one of the top cable -VoIP companies nationwide.  Through training and certification in sales tactics and product knowledge, sales structure and tracking systems, Donnie maintained one of the highest close rates nationally at 99%. Later, for nearly two years, he performed real estate consulting for new home buyers and also for brokerage houses such as Century 21 and Loan Giant.  He has consulted with several fortune 500 companies in the fields of securities, advertising, film, and record labels.  Donnie maintains an extensive global contact list in music, entertainment, filming and in the hotel restaurant industry.  In the music industry, Donnie has worked and met with artists, producers and executives on regional and national levels.  He has performed for events in the Midwest including an annual concert to create cancer awareness.   He has written four albums and has compiled an extensive catalog of writing styles and arrangements for local labels and artist submissions as well as national acts. 

“Music is one of my passions, and to be able to help produce a docu-concert in Next-to-Live™ 3D, is not only exciting, it’s personally rewarding.  I know audiences will be thrilled, maybe even more than at a live event, because with this technology, it will be like being right next to the artist instead of experiencing a quarter-inch figure on the stage.”







Cooper Hampton II - Chief Operations Officer

Cooper, a professional graphic designer by training, consults in small business marketing, social networking, music, television and online viral marketing. He has designed posters for national campaigns, book covers, tee shirts for a national tee-shirt company, and online graphics for Hollywood actors.

Cooper entered the business world early: For 10 years, starting in 1995 at age 15, he worked at his family’s business responsible for sales and marketing and other management tasks. His major accomplishment was to expand their retail business into commercial sales and education.

Most recently, Cooper:

  Conceptualized and created Web sites for businesses nationwide
Created viral video campaigns for both music artists and companies
Produced television infomercials and commercials
As a musical artist, he had more than 10,000 MySpace fans across the globe
Co-founded the Better Detroit Youth Movement non-profit
Served on the planning committee for the Rocky Balboa Detroit movie premiere

“The true value of 3D comes not from the advanced technology itself. The true value of 3D comes from what we do with the technology to add benefit to our lives.” 



Jeff Travilla - Director of Product Development

Jeff's interest in entertainment began in high school, with the guitar.  He started two bands, won an award for best solo at a Chicago Jazz Band Festival, and won both the Louis Armstrong and John Phillips Sousa awards in Jazz and Concert bands.  His focus on music did not hinder academics; Jeff finished as sole valedictorian.  Because of his scholastic achievements and considerable involvement in the community, Jeff was awarded the Centralis Scholar Award, a full scholarship to Central Michigan University. 

He also received a scholarship from the John Casey Foundation through the UPS Corporation.  Because of the scholarships, Jeff was able to spend one summer studying in Europe and another summer working at Epic Records/Sony Music where he completed a dual internship with the marketing and A&R departments.

After graduating college, Jeff became a recruiter for a home healthcare company where he was responsible for managing more than 100 employees and providing assistance for more than 40 clients.  Because his position required attention to detail, compassion, and a strong work ethic, Jeff helped office revenue grow 200% in less than two years.  With his passion still in entertainment, Jeff left healthcare  and began working as consultant and temporary manager to entertainers and corporate speakers nationwide, providing marketing strategies, sales support, training sessions, and market research.

In joining Fantasm 3D, Jeff combines business sensibility, energy, passion, and creativity to manage product development from conceptualization through distribution.

 "Our 3D capabilities are possibly the strongest on the market. The technology we utilize can practically sell itself, which is nice because it allows me to focus all of my energy on creating the best possible content and exceeding expectations for every client."







Sachin Parikh - Director of Finance

Sachin completed his bachelors in engineering in India and came to the United State to pursue a master’s in engineering with a specialization in wireless networks. After completion he joined Siemens VDO, now Continental Automotive Systems, as technical liaison with Ford. During that time, he led the acquisition of a $90 million project which involved analyzing the financial and technical aspects of the project.  At the same time, Sachin started a chemical distributorship in affiliation with chemical companies in India. Currently, he is pursuing an MBA with an emphasis in finance from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and plans to graduate in 2011.

 "All new technologies enter the market at a premium, then ebb their way down as consumption, demand and competition increase. The 3D floodgates are opening and early adopters will help fuel content, production, and distribution. Fantasm's technology has built-in savings so our customers -- film makers, producers, recording artists and theater owners -- will be able to respond quickly at lower costs and higher profit margins."








Rick McEachern - Entertainment Specialist

Born in High Point, NC raised in Cleveland, OH. Rick brings over 30 years of entertainment expertise and experience having started his professional career as tour manager with the Grammy Award winning Cleveland based group The Dazz Band.

His theater and stage knowledge was acquired at Cleveland's Historic Karamu House Theater as stage manager for many productions. 

A former Record Company Executive for Polygram Label Group and Independent Music Promoter for such artist as Tony, Toni, Tone, U2, Salt & Pepper, Elton John, Will Downing, The Cranberries, P.M. Dawn, Coolio, Raven Symone, Vanessa Williams, The Main Ingredient, Bob Marley, Brian McKnight, Melissa Etheridge, Van Morrison and The Phantom of the Opera soundtrack. 

Rick has Co-Produced and supplied annual entertainment for such events as The National Urban League, Congressional Black Caucus, Barneys of New York store grand openings, Blacks in Government, Black and Latino Legislators of New York featuring such artists as Patti LaBelle, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Jennifer Holiday, Joe, Ledisi, Hidden Beach, James Brown, Lakeside, Roy Ayers, War, Cameo, The Four Tops, The O'Jays, Gerald LeVert and Pieces of a Dream as well as Key Note Speakers Bill Clinton, Kweisi Mfume.

Former tour manager for the only black circus in America The Universoul Circus and founder and Principal of Ground Control Management representing George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic Bassist Lige (Ligedelic) Curry. 




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