Director Dario Piana has joined Mechaniks for North American representation. He is one of the few helmers who has a spot in the Musee Publicite’ at the Louvre. The commercial, “Underwater World,” was for Ariston Aqualtis Washing Machines. and went on to become one of the most awarded spots worldwide and the most awarded commercial ever in Italy. Out of Leo Burnett Italia, Milan, the ad takes us inside of a washing machine, revealing a magical display of clothing that moves as if it were varied forms of deep sea life.
It was largely on the strength of “Underwater World,” produced by Filmmaster in Italy, that Piana earned distinction as the fourth most awarded spot director in 2007 per the annual Gunn Report.
Over the years, Piana’s work has garnered four Cannes Gold Lions, three Silvers, four Bronzes and a Clio Grand Prix.
Piana graduated from the internationally renowned Art Academy in Milan. From there his reputation grew as a comic strip illustrator. His much sought after drawings are soon to be featured in a hardcover collector’s book alongside some of his detailed storyboards.
He went on to join JWT, Milan, for a short period before starting his directorial career. Along the way he honed his craft with some of the greats in Italian film including, Claudio Mancini, producer for the great Sergio Leone, and Fellini’s two-time Oscar winning production designer, Danilo Donati.
In addition to spots for major brands such as Fiat, Coca Cola, Skittles, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Nescafe and Pellegrino, Piana has directed two feature films, The Deaths of Ian Stone with legendary creature creator Stan Winston, and The Lost Boys: The Thirst for WB. His work with celebrities includes the likes of George Clooney, Monica Bellucci, Kim Basinger, Zhang Zyin and Michael Schumacher.
Piana recently wrapped a multi-spot package in the U.S. starring Clooney for Fast Web Internet. Prior to Mechaniks, Piana was repped via Saville Productions.
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