A creative team led by the producer of 2019’s micro-budget viral hit “The VelociPastor” (about a pastor who fights crime by transforming into a dinosaur, of course) and marketing experts have teamed up to launch a new creative agency and production company.
Announced Wednesday, New York-based Unknown Film Organization (UFO) will specialize in producing both live-action and animated videos for the Internet and aim to “combat the costly bloat” of agency creatives.
“You don’t need a big crew or millions of dollars to make something great. We’re here to prove that with the right people and the right faith in what they can deliver, companies can thrive,” said director, producer and former Crunchyroll head of production Jesse Goolsberry, who produced “The VelociPastor” and directed the upcoming sequel, “The VeliciPastor 2.”
“We’re not afraid to show our raw edges. Our biggest influences have always been work that has to work within limits. We love being able to see our handmade crafts and efforts on video. We don’t want to make something that hones that creative intent.”
Mr. Goldsberry began creating digital video content as a teenager in the early days of the YouTube platform, and went on to produce projects for clients such as Starz, HBO, AT&T, Warner Bros., Frederator, Sony, and Broadway Video, which collectively amassed billions of views. He said his experience working on “The VelociPastor,” which he worked on in his spare time during his time at Crunchyroll, inspired him to go independent and build a team.
Along with Goldsberry, comic artist, comedian, and animator Alex Crocus will serve as the company’s creative director. His latest volume of webcomics, “Loud & Smart & In Color,” was released by Silver Sprocket in February 2025, and his debut graphic novel, “Talking to My Father’s Ghost,” from Chronicle Books, was named one of Forbes and NYPL’s Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2025.
Meanwhile, Brace Miller joins as production executive. Mr. Miller previously oversaw internal audience content at Crunchyroll, including animated documentaries, video essays, and historical podcasts. He is also involved in the creation of the company’s mascot, Crunchyroll Hime, and, according to UFO, is also responsible for “that Vine that gets you arrested for kicking too much.”
Adrian Apolonio joins as Head of Marketing. With over 10 years of experience in digital production, Apolonio has worked for companies such as Crunchyroll and Netflix. Netflix has built an in-house production team to market Netflix’s animated properties. Frederator also helped build an animated YouTube channel.
Nicholas Huang was appointed UFO’s post-production supervisor. Fung has over 10 years of post-production experience with brands such as Nickelodeon, Netflix, Pokémon, and Crunchyroll. He was the sole editor of the viral Cyberpunk: Edgerunners AMV, which became the #1 most viewed video on Netflix’s YouTube channel.
“I have known them for a long time and have worked with them in many capacities. We were all united by a passion for making the most of the freedoms of this age of digital distribution,” Goldsberry added. “I truly believe that by supporting these people, you can not only create great work, but also be a positive force in the world of digital marketing. It can be fun to create commercials and tell the world about cool things.”
The Unknown Film Organization is backed by a seed investment from New York Times bestselling comic book writer and producer James Tynion IV, whose production company Tiny Onion will be one of the new digital agency’s first clients and creative partners.
“Over the past two years, Jesse and I have spent long nights talking about the digital video front and the seemingly endless possibilities of what you can do with a powerful audience on a platform like YouTube,” Tynion said. “At some point, I wanted to stop talking about what was possible and start thinking about how to make it all a reality. My company, Tiny Onion, has ambitious plans for our partnership with UFO, and I can’t wait for you to see those ambitions come to fruition.”
