Dead Gentlemen Productions
Founded informally in 1998 in university with the production of Demon Hunters, Dead Gentlemen Productions (DG) was incorporated in 2001 and acquired by Zombie Orpheus Entertainment in 2018. Over twenty individuals were shareholders over the years, with many more people participating as long-term members of the extended production community.
DG broke into nerd culture with their third film, Matt Vancil's The Gamers (2002), which originated an ongoing franchise that continues to this day.
Ben served as DG's Director of Development from 2002-2009, shepherding the financing and production of numerous films, shorts, and other projects, most notably The Gamers: Dorkness Rising (2008).
Zombie Orpheus Entertainment
Founded in 2010 by Ben Dobyns, Matt Vancil, and Kat Ogden, Zombie Orpheus Entertainment (ZOE) was at the forefront of a new kind of company: fan-supported businesses that released their products for free and relied on crowdfunding to keep telling stories for a global audience of passionate fans.
During Ben's eleven-year tenure as CEO, ZOE created eight films, almost one hundred episodes of television, countless shorts and TTRPG livestreams, numerous books and gaming modules, three conventions, and raised millions of dollars on Kickstarter.Â
Ben gave away their shares and resigned as CEO in 2021, but continues to contract for the company on a regular basis. ZOE is now run by CEO Rennie Araucto.
The Fantasy Network
Founded in 2017 by Zombie Orpheus Entertainment, Arrowstorm Entertainment, and The Forge Productions, The Fantasy Network quickly amassed a streaming library with 600 hours of unique independent fantasy films and television from producers around the world.
Ben served as President of the Board and CTO until their resignation in 2021. The company did not survive the pandemic and shuttered in 2022.