MAY 24, 1996/Director Osbert Parker has signed with international house Partizan Midi Minuit for worldwide spot representation. Partizan just launched a U.S. operation in New York—a co-venture with bicoastal/international Propaganda Films.…Director Steve Ramser has joined production house Morton Jankel Zander, Hollywood, following his departure from bicoastal The A+R Group, his roost of nearly two years….The industry mourns the passing of veteran tabletop director Elbert Budin, head of bicoastal Elbert Budin Inc., who died May 11, at 68; and Norris Nelson, a former executive producer at Leo Burnett Co., Chicago, who died May 8, at 56….
MAY 24, 1991/San Francisco-headquartered The Snazelle Film Group will be setting up a full service production operation in Portland, Ore.; it’s expected to open within three months….Director Lear Levin, who has maintained his own independent New York-based Lear Levin Productions for 21 years, has signed a deal to join Harmony Pictures, Burbank, Calif.—becoming Harmony’s first established New York-based director….Director Stefan Wurnitzer, formerly with Lucasfilm Commerical Productions (LCP), San Rafael, Calif., has joined commercial/music video house Squeak Pictures, Studio City, Calif….