Bill Reilly, owner and executive producer of Los Angeles-based Brilliant Works, has been named executive producer for Pictures in a Row‘s commercial and digital divisions. The announcement was made by PICROW founder, director Peter Lang. Reilly will bring Brilliant Works directors Zach Braff, Michael Haldane, and Art Streiber over to PICROW.
Reilly has an extensive entertainment industry background that spans almost three decades. From his early work at Dream Quest Images, Lucasfilm, and other leading visual effects companies, Reilly went on to develop strong creative and business relationships with ad agencies around the country. He more recently served as executive producer for commercials and advertising content at animation and mixed-media production house Curious Pictures.
Over the years, Reilly has worked on a number of high-profile campaigns, including Super Bowl spots for Pizza Hut that starred Donald Trump and Fran Drescher, and production packages for Dr. Pepper, Lay’s, Coke, and other major brands. As an EP, Reilly has teamed with many talented directors–he executive produced Pella Windows’ “Elopement,” which was directed by Mike Bigelow for Y&R NY and earned a nomination for the primetime commercial Emmy Award in 1998.
Recent commercial work for PICROW includes Lang’s ongoing work for USAA (for Lowe Campbell Ewald Detroit), the latest featuring NFL football star Robert Griffin III (RG3), who introduces viewers to his hometown in Texas and his dedicated parents, both Army veterans. Lang has also completed several branded content shorts for Hyundai through Greenlight Media for Jimmy Kimmel Live. Director Peter Lydon just shot a spot entitled “Sky” starring Al Pacino for Sky Broadband and BBH-London, while Bryan Barber directed a spot for Charter Communications out of GlobalWorks. On the digital side, PICROW editor Ben Nussbaum put on his director’s cap to complete a short film for longtime client SCAN Health Plan (out of Engle + Murphy). The film, “Fragile Safety Net”, reminds doctors and other medical professionals of the healthcare obstacles often faced by the elderly.
Recent projects for Brilliant Works directors include heartfelt spots (“Danny”, “Martine”, “Rose” and “Ron”) directed by Haldane for Bayer (Energy BBDO, Chicago). Haldane has also helmed campaigns for BCAA Travel Insurance (Rethink Vancouver) and DuPont (Ogilvy & Mather New York). Braff is known for his feature and TV work, but has directed spots for Dunkin Donuts (Hill Holliday Boston), Hanes (The Martin Agency) and Head & Shoulders (Saatchi & Saatchi 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