Chased By Cowboys, Venice, Calif., has added director Peter Salmi to its roster. Meanwhile, the company and director Thomas Kloss have parted ways….Director Agustín Alberdi has signed with Carbo Films, Venice, for representation in the U.S. Hispanic market. Carbo’s sister company, Traffic Films, Venice, will handle him for the general market….French animation and digital effects house Sparx has opened an office in Los Angeles, headed by Laddie Ervin, VP of business development for North America. Sparx also maintains studios in Paris and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam…. Executive producer Susan Kirson and @tate, Santa Monica—the division of Santa Monica-headquartered Tate USA that represents feature directors for commercials—are parting ways. Presently, @tate is looking to expand its roster, developing additional relationships—exclusive or non-exclusive—with feature helmers in the spot arena….Editor Nadia Heinrich has joined Cutters, Chicago….Editor John Monte has joined Refinery, New York….Editor Dustin Robertson has come aboard Brass Knuckles, Venice, for spot representation. He continues to maintain Avid Diva, his own Venice shop, for music videos….Twist Audio has opened in New York with mixers Glenn Laredo, Peter Buccellato and Mark Schultz, all formerly with Laredo Audio Post, New York. They are joined by Sarah Rotondi, who handles bookings, and former ICM agent Erik Sanchez, who heads a new casting service. Twist operates as a satellite of Sound Lounge, New York….New York-based Suspect has added visual effects artist Susanne Scharping….Drew Mayer-Oakes has been named film marketing manager for the San Antonio Film Commission….
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