George Krstic, Akadot's former web content manager, has graduated from "Aka-University" and is now working in the animation biz. His latest project, the animated series Low Brow, will pilot on Cartoon Network during the Cartoon Network's Cartoon Weekend Summerfest (August 23-25, 2002). Being an alumni of Akadot, George enlights the current Akadot staff about his past experiences while working at Akadot, his new animation pilot, and gives fans advice about the animation business.

How were you introduced to Akadot and when did you start working?

George Krstic: When I came to L.A., I went straight into the web business like everyone else did. That's where the work was and a lot of opportunity to work in animation, which I love. As they are known to do, the website I worked for went under. Then, I came across Digital Manga and Akadot and I was lucky enough to be hired as web content manager.

When you worked for Akadot, was it already set up at that time?

GK: It was on the web, but I wouldn't say it was set up. I didn't finish setting it up because I was only there for six months. I had to leave to work on the show (Low Brow), but in those six months I worked closely with the staff and they did a lot of work to figure things out. But before I could implement anything, I had to leave.

When you first started, what was Akadot like? What was its presence on the web like?

GK: I know that a lot of otaku knew the website and I did some research, asked friends, and found out that it (Akadot) was known. And once the Akadot staff and I started implementing plans, we started to get the word out even more. I think that is what Akadot continued on with because it seems that there is an even stronger presence now.

What were your responsibilities while working at Akadot? To expand the website? More updates?

GK: Yes, to make Akadot bigger, more current, and more updates. As you know on the web, people are constantly checking things out. You don't go there once week, but 18 times a day. So similar to what Jonah (Anime News Service) was doing, I thought we should have updates everyday, if not every hour. But at that time, we didn't have the staff to update everyday, let alone every hour. But, then we started posting more features, interviews, and exclusives and tried to get an update every one or two days.

There have been many changes in the Internet concerning message boards, chat rooms, forums, etc... As the former web content manager for Akadot, what do you think about the changes in the web? From what you saw on Akadot back then to what you see on Akadot now, do you think there are some things that work or don't work?

GK: I think it is a combination of both. There are tried and true things that still work on the net. The web is evolving day by day and people are finding out what works. Maybe ten years down the road everything will stabilize and we'll know what works. The web is similar to what Hollywood was like in the early twenties and thirties. They didn't know how to make movies, or what worked and what the public wanted. By the late thirties, forties, and fifties they started distribution, putting movies in theaters, two hour format, etc... I think it is similar to that, we are still figuring it (internet) out.

Gradually getting into your cartoon idea for Low Brow, was this something you were always working on while you were at Akadot? At what point did you decide it was time for you to leave Akadot and go full speed on Low Brow?

GK: Actually, Chris (Titmouse, Inc.) worked on a show a few years ago called Downtown that aired on MTV. I started working on Low Brow during Downtown. Downtown was a great show and I believed in it. But, we were getting indications from the network that they didn't know what to do with it. We thought that we should have something else ready to go. Low Brow started in 1998. When I moved out here I brought it out with me and we kept developing it.

When I decided to leave Akadot and work full time on Low Brow was when Cartoon Network was serious and sent the contract for Low Brow. They said get this signed, return it to us and start working on your pilot episode. I thought it would be unfair if I worked full time on Akadot and full time on the pilot. I knew something would suffer. So I decided to work on the pilot episode so Akadot could find someone to do a good job and I could focus on my show.

Akadot was an excellent opportunity and I got to meet a lot of cool people. I got to work with a lot of excellent people and I can see you are still carrying on the tradition. I learned a lot about the anime industry, which is actually helping me right now. In fact, I was a journalist covering the scene so closely and speaking to people really helped me gain an inside that most people in the industry don't have. Or at least at my level, I'm still at the junior level. I'm sure the head of ADV or Dreamworks knows a lot more than me.

From someone who is a graduate of Akadot, and now doing an animated series, what do you want to say or what is your advice for people who are interested in this business?

LK: The one thing I learned is just keep doing what you believe in. Don't let anyone stop you. Don't let it get you down. If you have a comic book idea, just keep drawing and keep pitching. If you have an animated idea, keep pitching, writing, and drawing. I've found that tenacity helps you get quite far, along with a certain amount of humility. I know a lot of our friends actually do get into meetings and they blow it. I've blown it may times because you dork out or you think you are the greatest. You have to be humble, have to have talent, and tenacity. If I have any message, combine these things and keep fighting for your dreams.

Want to read more?! Then check out Akadot's exclusive interview here with George Krstic and Chris Pryonski (Titmouse, Inc.) as they talk about their new animated series Low Brow, which will pilot on Cartoon Network this month.