The directorial team of Cole & Roy, a.k.a. Joe Cole and Paul Roy—both former producers at McCann-Erickson, New York—has come aboard RAW/Progressive Films, Los Angeles, for exclusive spot representation….Pictures In A Row, Los Angeles, has added directors Olly Blackburn and Marshall Vernet…. Director Tony Garcia, a.k.a. Tony G., formerly with the Latino American division of now defunct Palomar Pictures, has joined Hollywood-based Motel Films for exclusive spot representation in the United States and Canada…..Director Robert Bonomo of Landia Republica, Buenos Aires, has signed with Letca Films, Miami, for U.S. representation….Director/DP Josh Josimovic and helmer Michael Fueter have signed with Neue Sentimental, Frankfurt, for spot representation….Animation director Aaron Stewart has signed with bicoastal Hornet for exclusive representation….Editor Drew Thompson, well established in the Australian ad market, has signed with Rex Edit, Venice, Calif., for exclusive representation in the U.S….Editor Peter Tarter has joined the recently formed Lux Editorial, which maintains bases of operation in Santa Monica and San Francisco…. Roland House, an Arlington, Va.-based digital post facility, is up for sale with proposal bids due Nov. 10. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in August….Producer Katie Ward has joined Santa Monica-based music production/sound design house Primal Scream. She previously served as an associate producer at Rhythm Café, Chicago….Ross Woods has been brought on board as producer for Somersault, the design/visual effects shop in Chicago and Santa Monica. Based in Chicago, Woods was formerly a producer at Digital Kitchen, Chicago….
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