The anti-runaway movement scored a major victory last weekend. As the legislative session was in its 11th hour on Saturday (5/31), the Illinois Senate passed a bill offering a tax credit to eligible longform and shortform shoots in the state. The thumbs up from the Senate followed passage hours earlier by the Illinois House of Representatives. As earlier reported (SHOOT, 5/23, p. 1), the 25 percent tax credit, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2004, applies to the first $25,000 in wages per worker per production. Workers must be Illinois residents hired for a qualifying feature, TV program, commercial or sponsored content project lensed in the state. Key aspects of the tax credit need to be defined in the coming months by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCEO). Currently, the tax credit must be earned by a company certified to do business in Illinois, a prerequisite that will be defined in detail by the DCEO. Projects for advertising purposes, including commercials and branded entertainment, will qualify for the tax credit as long as each has a minimum of $50,000 in wages being paid to Illinois residents….Alexandra Chamberlain has been promoted from head of production to executive producer at bicoastal Coppos Films. She will work closely with Coppos owner/executive producer Michael Appel and managing director Joanne Ferraro.…Bicoastal 3-D animation/visual effects/design house Hornet has diversified into live action, launching Live Hornet. The new live action division opens with a roster consisting of directors Raphael Mazzucco and Brian Koons. The latter’s reputation is in comedy while Mazzucco is a still photographer known for his work in fashion advertising….John Baldi has been named creative director of Mosaic Music Publishing, Los Angeles. He will work with current writers and recording artists at the company, perform A&R efforts to attract new talent and seek expanded placement of Mosaic’s music catalog assets in all media. Baldi formerly was a partner in Los Angeles-based music marketing firm Natural Energy Lab, where he oversaw the placement of songs in all forms of entertainment and advertising, including national spots for Chrysler, Nissan and Motorola, among others….
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