International film and content company Pulse Films has hired Kira Carstensen as executive producer and president of commercials for its recently launched U.S. division. She will be responsible for driving growth of the company's domestic presence and commercials and branded content business. Carstensen will operate from Los Angeles, base of Pulse's American operations, and work directly with CEO Thomas Benski.
Carstensen comes to Pulse Films after seven years at production company Supply & Demand where, as executive producer and partner, she helmed the commercials division and helped grow the company's roster from four to 16 directors. Carstensen earned a Short Subject Documentary Oscar nomination in 2012 at Supply & Demand for producing the Lucy Walker-directed The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom. EP Carstensen's multidisciplinary experience spans documentary and narrative film, TV and commercials. Her clients have included Chrysler, Cadillac, EA Sports, Mercedes-Benz, Fiat, Activision and Procter & Gamble.
Carstensen's arrival follows Pulse's recently announced U.S. partnership with VICE Media that will see the two companies develop a series of co-produced long-form TV & film projects together. It also follows a global commission by MTV International for an eight-part, U.S.-based docuseries called Sleeping with the Family, as well as successful commercial and branded content campaigns with clients that include Samsung, Adidas, Levi's, McDonalds, Nokia and Sony.
Pulse has produced a number of large-scale, culturally focused projects in America since launching in the market. They include the LCD Soundsystem film Shut Up and Play the Hits (with VICE Media), an official selection at both Sundance Film Festival and SXSW 2012; the Paramount-released Katy Perry: Part of Me 3D, which on release quickly became the fourth-highest grossing music documentary of all time; and the Grammy nominated Blur documentary No Distance Left to Run. Other productions include Who is Dayani Cristal? (winner of Best Cinematography at Sundance 2013, official selection New York Film Festival & San Sebastian), starring Gael Garcia Bernal, 20,000 Days on Earth with Nick Cave and a definitive feature documentary about the Backstreet Boys.
Pulse Films was founded in 2005 in the UK. It has offices in London, Paris, Los Angeles and New York.
Gene Hackman Died Of Heart Disease; Hantavirus Claimed His Wife’s Life About One Week Prior
Actor Gene Hackman died of heart disease a full week after his wife died from hantavirus in their New Mexico hillside home, likely unaware that she was dead because he was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease, authorities revealed Friday. Both deaths were ruled to be from natural causes, chief medical examiner Dr. Heather Jarrell said alongside state fire and health officials at a news conference. "Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer's disease," Jarrell said. "He was in a very poor state of health. He had significant heart disease, and I think ultimately that's what resulted in his death." Authorities didn't suspect foul play after the bodies of Hackman, 95, and Betsy Arakawa, 65, were discovered Feb 26. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning were negative. Investigators found that the last known communication and activity from Arakawa was Feb. 11 when she visited a pharmacy, pet store and grocery before returning to their gated neighborhood that afternoon, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said Friday. Hackman's pacemaker last showed signs of activity a week later and that he had an abnormal heart rhythm Feb. 18, the day he likely died, Jarrell said. Although there was no reliable way to determine the date and time when both died, all signs point to their deaths coming a week apart, Jarrell said. "It's quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Jarrell said. Dr. Michael Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, said he believes Hackman was severely impaired due to Alzheimer's disease and unable to deal with his wife's death in the last week of his life. "You are talking about very severe Alzheimer's disease that normal people would be in a nursing home or have a nurse, but she was taking care... Read More