Filmmaker Seth Gordon (Horrible Bosses, The King of Kong) has directed the pilot episode of the fall ABC primetime series The Goldbergs starring Wendi McClendon-Covey (Bridesmaids) and Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and is an exec producer on the show. Gordon is slated to direct a handful of episodes for the sitcom–described as a dysfunctional Wonder Years set in the simpler times of the 1980s–which is inspired by the childhood of its writer/exec producer Adam Goldberg. Gordon’s commercialmaking home is Community Films….Longtime New Yorker, creative director, 3D animator, compositor, photographer, and visual storyteller Jason Guerrero has joined Chicago-based integrated production studio Radar. He will be represented through Radar as a director for commercial and broadcast projects. And along with Radar’s Steven Gray, Guerrero will oversee the studio’s production, post, visual effects and animation operations as creative director. Guerrero brings with him extensive experience in visual effects, animation, and collaborative concepting, freelancing as a creative director with agencies and studios in the advertising and production industries including, MassMarket, Psyop, and MA3 Agency. Guerrero’s relocation to Chicago and Radar marks his debut in the directorial role. He comes aboard a company that produces commercials for brands such as Sears, McDonald’s, Samsung, Allstate, Autotrader, and Nintendo….Nancy Nina Hwang has joined the team at Rabbit Content as executive producer. While she will have reach on both coasts, she will be based in the LA office, working with the live action roster as well as with Rabbit Studio, which houses its design and animation talent. Hwang comes over from MassMarket where she was most recently executive producer in its New York office. Her six years of experience at Psyop and MassMarket include contributions to some of their marquee, award winning projects including a Cannes Bronze Lion for Nike with director Brian Beletic, and numerous AICP nods and awards for AllState’s “Mayhem” campaign with directors Phil Morrison and Romain Gavras as well as Travelers and Monster.com with Rupert Sanders. Prior to Psyop/MassMarket, Nancy worked in the agency side of the industry, spending three and a half years at TBWAChiatDay LA as a broadcast producer….Animation and transmedia company FlickerLab has appointed Jordan Geary as its new head of production and development. In this new position, Mr. Geary will oversee the production of all content for the company’s projects and manage company operations….
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