Michael Cuesta has rejoined bicoastal The Artists Company after a stint with bicoastal/international Hungry Man…. Director Ken Fox, formerly of bicoastal Villains, has joined Oil Factory Films, Beverly Hills, Calif….Moo Spots, a division of Moo Studios, Burbank, Calif., has signed director Ellen Von Unwerth, formerly of Oil Factory Films, for exclusive U.S. commercial representation….Mono-monikered director Chanel has joined Mia Films, Miami Beach, for U.S. representation. She had been a creative director at Del Campo Nazca Saatchi & Saatchi, Buenos Aires….Area 51 Films, Santa Monica, has added director Simon Stock for exclusive spot representation. A noted still photographer, Stock has made his commercialmaking debut with Area 51: Jaguar’s "Anchor" for Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, London. The spot complements a print campaign shot by Stock….Editor Eric Pomert has come aboard mad.house, New York. He was formerly with MacKenzie Cutler, New York….Executive producer Sandy Vogel, best known for working with director Stu Hagmann at EUE Screen/Gems, New York, and then at now defunct HISK, has passed away at age 61….Los Angeles-based Tag Team has added two directors, Ernie Mosteller and Maria Reed, both formerly of Fried Okra Entertainment, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Mosteller founded Fried Okra in 2001 and will retain the company for special projects….Hollywood-based Transistor Studios has opened a New York office anchored by executive producer Damon Meena, creative director Jared Plummer and designer Aaron Baumie. Transistor is also in the process of moving its West Coast office from Hollywood to Venice, Calif., the key staffers being director Justin Harder, designer Joe Todoran, line producer Curtis Mead and live-action director Jim Byrkit. The latter just came over from sister company Seed; both Transistor and Seed are part of the Backyard Productions’ family of shops. Transistor has also brought on board design directors Manny B and Anders Schroder….Bryan Godwin of Charlex, New York, has been promoted, adding VP stripes to his ongoing title of CG/VFX supervisor….Spin Productions, Toronto and Atlanta, has opened Spin West VFX, Vancouver, B.C., to facilitate the company’s television and film work. The facility will be headed up by visual effects artist Doug Campbell, who was formerly with GVFX, Vancouver…. Industry vet Harry Tracosas has launched Global Production Network (GPN), a Los Angeles-based international production facilitation firm. GPN has already provided consultation and production facilitation on spot shoots in Romania, Australia, Argentina, Mexico and Greece….
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