Former Protein editorial executive producer/partner Tim Jacobs has joined production and post house Optimus in a new position as director of sales. In this role, Jacobs will be dedicated to all of Optimus in Chicago and Santa Monica, including production arm One at Optimus, as well as editorial, design, graphics, audio, color and finish. Optimus sales reps Sean Sullivan and Doug Sherin will work with Jacobs on sales efforts across the country. Prior to his Protein tenure, Jacobs was a producer at Whitehouse Post in Chicago. Before then, he was a producer at Filmcore in Los Angeles, where he worked with Therese Hunsberger, Optimus LA’s executive producer/managing director. He started his career on the advertising agency side of the business, working with clients such as Gatorade, Coors Light, Visa, Pioneer, Mattel and Motorola at Draftfcb, BBDO and Ogilvy…Los Angeles-based The Cavalry Productions has signed independent firm Saxon + Partners to handle representation on the West Coast. Headed by executive producers Ross Grogan and Chris Wedding, The Cavalry Productions is active in both the commercial and digital realms, and maintains a directorial roster that includes Gil Green, Bryce Gubler and the recently signed Woodhead, a directing team which consists of director/writer Tony Yacenda, writer/comedian/actor Dan Perrault and comedian/actor/producer Sean Carrigan…..Cinematographer Peter Eastgate has joined The Skouras Agency, Santa Monica, for exclusive representation for commercials, television and feature films. Production designer Kevin Kavanaugh has recently completed work on the pilot Ballers starring Dwayne Johnson and Omar Miller, written by Stephen Levinson and directed by Peter Berg. Kavanaugh is available for commercials, TV and features through The Skouras Agency…..
The End of The “Rust” Criminal Case Against Alec Baldwin May Unlock A Civil Lawsuit
The conclusion of a criminal case against Alec Baldwin in the fatal shooting of a cinematographer clears the way for a related civil lawsuit by relatives of the deceased woman and efforts to depose the actor under oath, attorneys for plaintiffs in the civil suit said Tuesday.
At a news conference in Los Angeles, victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred said that the parents and younger sister of deceased cinematographer Halyna Hutchins were disappointed that prosecutors won't appeal the dismissal of an involuntary manslaughter charge against Baldwin. The criminal charge against Baldwin was dismissed halfway through trial in July on allegations that police and prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.
Hutchins died shortly after being wounded during a rehearsal in the movie "Rust" in October 2021 at a film-set ranch on the outskirts of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Baldwin, the lead actor and coproducer, was pointing a pistol at Hutchins when it discharged, killing Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Baldwin has said he pulled back the hammer — but not the trigger — and the revolver fired.
Allred said Hutchins' relatives are determined to pursue damages and compensation from Baldwin and "Rust" producers in New Mexico civil court, and want Baldwin to answer questions under oath in the proceedings. Hutchins' widower and son previously reached a separate legal settlement.
"With the withdrawal that was made public yesterday, we are now able to proceed with our civil case," Allred said. "Clearly, the rights of Alec Baldwin were protected, but the due process rights of the victims — Halyna Hutchins and her parents and her sister — were violated."
Allred said she's ready to prove that Hutchins had a close relationship... Read More