Mary Knox has joined Curious Pictures, New York , as its executive producer of commercials. She succeeds company partner David Starr who becomes Curious’ executive producer of branded entertainment. Curious is active in branded entertainment fare for such clients as AOL, Mattel and Burger King. Meanwhile Knox–who recently served as a partner in New York-based independent rep firm Commercial Artists Management–has helped to bring some new talent aboard Curious, including the helming duo Ugly, which consists of Abraham Spear and Rohitash Rao. Furthermore, Knox had a hand in inking Baltimore animation studio Buoyant Duck whose directors are now handled via Curious….Feature film directors Christopher Noonan (Babe) and Vincent Ward (What Dreams May Come) have signed with Saville Productions, Beverly Hills, for exclusive U.S. spot representation…..Production execs Joby Barnhart and Jamie Miller have launched Savant, a Santa Monica-based production house. The new venture opens with a directorial roster that includes John Bonito, Matt Carter, Jake Knowles and the Swedish collective Waytion……Director Susie Roberson has joined Taxi Films, New York….Editor Jonathan Silver has returned to Venice, Calif.-based Room. He had most recently been freelancing on the East Coast…..As part of the Advertising Week proceedings in New York, music/post house Fluid, New York, presented its third annual Battle of the Ad Bands. Coming in first place for the second consecutive year was Pants, the band out of McKinney, Raleigh, N.C.. Taking second were The Subliminals from Grey, New York, and finishing third was World Grope from McCann Erickson, New York. The event benefits VH1’s Save The Music foundation, which is dedicated to saving music programs in public schools….
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