Tim Keene, who exec produced stereoscopic visual effects for Avatar, has been placed in a newly created role at Framestore, the London VFX house which has been with since 1997. Keene has been named executive producer, commercials, so that ad industry clientele can tap into his extensive VFX experience, particularly the 3D expertise he gleaned from Avatar.
Keene began at Framestore as long-form VFX coordinator on Merlin. After progressing to line producer on series like Dinotopia, he officially moved into features in ’02 to serve as VFX producer on such titles as Die Another Day, Love Actually, Mamma Mia and Quantum of Solace.
He also is knowledgeable about virtual grading–a popular spot production preference–from his DI production on Enduring Love and Love Actually, the latter being Framestore’s first ever HD digital film delivery. Besides Avatar, his most recent credits include the Visual Effects Society Award-winning Sherlock Holmes.
Helen Stanley, Framestore’s managing director, said Keene should benefit the studio’s commercial clients, noting, “We’re increasingly applying Nuke’s feature film VFX pipeline to commercials, as well at working more at 2K, grading virtually and taking on stereographic 3D commercials.”
Sheriff Reports Preliminary Autopsy Results On Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa
Preliminary autopsy results didn't determine how Oscar-winner Gene Hackman and his wife died at their home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, but did rule out that they were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning, the sheriff leading the investigation said Friday.
The condition of the bodies found Wednesday indicated the deaths occurred at least several days earlier and there was no sign of foul play.
At a news conference, Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza said the initial examination by the medical examiner showed no sign of carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas produced from kitchen appliances and other fuel-burning items. When it collects in poorly ventilated homes, it can be fatal.
Mendoza also said an examination of the 95-year-old Hackman's pacemaker showed it stopped working on Feb. 17, which means he may have died nine days earlier.
Hackman's body was found in an entryway. The body of his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65, was in a bathroom. She was on her side and a space heater was near her head. Investigators said the heater likely was pulled down when she fell. There also was an open prescription bottle and pills scattered on a countertop.
Whether the pills or other drugs were a factor won't be known until toxicology tests are completed in the coming weeks.
Dr. Philip Keen, the retired chief medical examiner in Maricopa County, Arizona, said it would be unlikely for a person who tests negative for carbon monoxide initially to later be found to have been poisoned by it.
He also said the moment when a pacemaker stops working could mark the point when a person dies, but not always.
"If your heart required a pacemaker, there would certainly be an interruption at that point — and it might be the hallmark of when... Read More