Rocco Botte
Rocco Botte | |
|---|---|
| File:RoccoBotte.png Botte in 2010 | |
| Born | December 20, 1984 San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Writer, Film Director |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Employer | Mega64 |
| Website | mega64 |
Rocco Botte (born 1984) is an American independent actor and director living in San Diego, California. He is best known for his work in Mega64, a web based comedy group founded in 2003. The group produces a self titled series that has had three seasons released on DVD. ComplexGaming named Botte number 2 in a list of top 25 video game personalities you should know who aren't developers.[1]
Background
Botte was born and raised in the San Diego, California area. He is from an Italian-American family. Botte attended West Hills High School where he joined the school's theater department and met his future co-workers Derrick Acosta and Shawn Chatfield. He set up his first website in the early 2000's that chronicled stupid instant messages he had been sent, hosted his pictures, videos and various opinions & information on the television series Power Rangers.[2] He worked at a video store for a few years, which he did not enjoy. Botte is an avid figurine collector, he often posts updates about his purchases on his personal YouTube channel.
Career
On November 5, 2002 Botte wrote down a loose outline for what would become Mega64 during class.[3] He eventually recruited friends Derrick Acosta and Shawn Chatfield to help create the show in 2003, which was intended to be released on public access television. Eventually, all episodes were released on DVD, published through Awful Video, the publishing arm of Something Awful in 2005. Subsequently seasons 2 and 3 of the show were released on DVD in 2006 and 2010 respectively. In early 2006 short skits from the series were uploaded to YouTube, usually featuring Botte or another member of Mega64 portraying a video game character causing chaos in a public setting. Several of these videos have gone on to garner millions of views.
With Mega64, he has produced videos for various websites including Penny Arcade, Game Trailers, ArmorGames and IGN. He has also created online ads for video game companies Ubisoft, The Behemoth and Perfect World Entertainment as well as television commercials for the online video game service GameTap. Mega64 was asked by Kojima Productions to create the E3 announcement video for the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. The following year they created another video for Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
Botte has been a part of various panels at San Diego Comic Con, Penny Arcade Expo Prime and East, Anime Expo and RTX. Botte and Mega64 attended Anime Conji, a brand new local anime convention in 2010. The group showed up on short notice, completely unannounced. With no prepared material, Botte and co. told Jeff Foxworthy jokes, danced to popular 90's songs and recited sports facts for 45 minutes. The group was permanently banned from the convention due to "in fighting" and "heckling", which was in reality just part of their act. Footage from the event was released as an exclusive DVD available at various conventions Mega64 attended.
Mega64 was asked to create segments for The Aquabats' new television show The Aquabats! Super Show! on The Hub.[4] Botte had been acquaintances with the Aquabats lead singer Christian Jacobs ever since they had gotten permission from the band to use their song "Sequence Erase" as the theme song for Mega64. In a collaboration with composer Tommy Tallarico, Botte and Mega64 released the tongue in cheek video series "Gamer Warz". A limited print two disc Gamer Warz DVD set was released in November 2012.[5]
In popular culture
A sound clip featuring Botte's laugh is part of a widespread internet meme dubbed "WTF BOOM!" by Know Your Meme. The clip was originally from a joke ad for the video game Cold Fear.[6]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003–present | Mega64 | Dr. Poque, Rocko Boaty, Writer, Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor |
| 2006 | GameTrailers TV with Geoff Keighley | Himself |
| 2009 | GameTap TV Spots | Priest, Awkward guy, New father |
| 2010 | Love Like Bullets | Donnie Ringo |
| 2010 | Immersion | Himself |
| 2011 | Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin'? | Himself |
| 2012 | Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Complete Series | Special thanks, Video used in "The Fans Power Up" special feature |
| 2012 | The Aquabats! Super Show! | Handi Gel, Mummy Spray, Slushi, Snakey Snacks Commercial Announcer, Guest Writer & Director |
References
- ^ "25 Video Game Personalities You Should Know Who Aren't Developers". Complex. January 23, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ "Rocco's Website O' Insanity". Rocco Botte. November 4, 2002. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ "The Plaque". Rocco Botte. October 14, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ "Mega64 Does the Aquabats Super Show!". Mega64. February 23, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ "Another Shocker!! Gamer Warz Complete Saga DVD Announced??!". Mega64. November 5, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ "WTF BOOM!". Know Your Meme. July 21, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
External links
- Rocco Botte at IMDb
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