Director Peter Lydon–who recently wrapped one of the last episodes of Poirot, a long-running U.K. TV drama–is focusing exclusively on commercials through Picrow (Pictures in a Row) in the U.S. and 76 Ltd. in the U.K. Lydon is known for his work in dramatic series, having also helmed episodes of Shameless, Teachers, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and Vincent. In 2010, Lydon won a Royal Television Academy Award for his four-part drama Garrows’ Law for the BBC. His Sky 1 short, Uncle Santa, was the first 3D drama commissioned in the U.K. On the commercial side, Lydon directed comedic performances for Sky Broadband, transforming classic fairytales such as The Princess and the Pea, Alladin, The Emperor’s New Clothes and The Boy Who Cried Wolf into modern ad tales. His spot credits span such clients as Carlsberg, Discovery Channel, IKEA and Orange….Director Mandie Fletcher whose noted U.K. TV series work spans comedy and drama–and who has worked with such actors as Alfred Molina, Jonathon Pryce, Michael Elphick, Hugh Laurie and Steven Fry–is returning to the commercialmaking arena via production house HOME.corp….Creative collective Poetica has signed sr. VFX artist Aron Baxter who brings to his new roost two-plus decades of experience. Previously, he was at Nice Shoes in NY as creative director working with such major clients as X-Box 360, IBM, Audi, AT&T, Under Armour, Bulgari, and talent like Lady Gaga, Kanye West and Beyonce. Baxter developed and directed commercials, music videos, and short films, including his own special effects-driven short film, Heartbreaker, which was an Official Selection for the Big Apple Film Festival in 2011. Back in 2005, Baxter was appointed as VFX supervisor/artist and department head at Nice Shoes sister company, Guava Studios. Baxter oversaw and took responsibility for creative direction on a number of projects for American Express, Goodyear, Folgers, and GMC….Marketing and creative production company mOcean has hired Robert “Bobby” Gumm to the newly created position of VP of music. He has served as music supervisor for the marketing campaigns of such major Hollywood releases as The Dark Knight Rises, Iron Man 3, The Great Gatsby, Brave and The Aviator…..
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