Director Alex Proyas has signed with bicoastal Anonymous Content for exclusive spot representation in the U.S…..Vittorio Sacco Films, the Milan house featuring noted tabletop director Vittorio Sacco, has partnered with bicoastal Cohn+Company in the U.S. Sacco will be available for stateside work via the Cohn studio……Director Ondi Timoner has joined the roster of Mirror Films, Hollywood. Timoner helmed DiG!, a documentary on a couple of bands, The Brian Jonestown Massacre and The Dandy Warhols, which on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival…..Director Richard David Dahl has joined Rant Films, New York. He brings an agency pedigree to his new roost, having earlier in his career served in such capacities as group creative director at Bozell, New York, VP/senior creative director/art director at McCann-Erickson, New York, and senior art director at MVBMS Euro RSCG, New York…..Impactist, a Portland, Ore.-based directing team consisting of Kelly Meador and Daniel Elwing, has joined bicoastal Hornet. The duo is known for its work in mixed media, including live action, still photography and graphics….Alexandra Leal has been named executive producer for wild(child) and macsound, both in New York. Wild(child) is under the aegis of president/editor Yvette Pineyro….Jon Townley has come aboard visual effects house Radium, Santa Monica and San Francisco, as artist manager and creative director. Also joining the shop is executive producer Jeff Blodgett…..Gina Martorana, formerly of New York-based casting house Reel People Company, has been named executive producer at Rooftop Edit, New York….Industry vets David Gioiella and Mark Littman have launched Mr. Wonderful, a New York-based design and visual effects house. The new venture is an offshoot of their Northern Lights Post boutique, New York, and will cater to broadcast design, feature film and TV projects….In the 9/9 Street Talk and Rep Report, we had items which incorrectly referenced the name of a production company started by executive producer Marlon Staggs. The new shop is Argyle Bros (not Argyle Films) and maintains a directorial roster that consists of Randy Roberts and John Mastromonaco….
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