While working at a restaurant in Boston, as somewhat of a chef’s apprentice, Matt Ruskin decided he really wanted to pursue film. Coincidentally, the Manager of the restaurant knew Darren Aronofsky. One phone call later, Ruskin was interning on Requiem for a Dream.
“It was the first movie I ever worked on it,” says Ruskin. “Just to be around such an incredible group of filmmakers and learn from them. After that, I was really bit by the bug and I knew I had to find a way to do this.” Thanks to his willingness to be an apprentice — as a chef and filmmaker — doors opened up for the filmmaker.
“I never sat out to be a screenwriter. I did that by necessity, which is a big part of how things work in the independent film world. You do whatever you have to do to get something made. But, I think running right at the thing you want to do is smart. I wish I did more of that earlier.”
“By spending a year in a kitchen and not in a theoretical environment, I learned pretty quickly what the reality of that business is. I realized I put more pleasure in cooking for four people at home, rather than four hundred at night. But I also try to make people my mentors.”
When it comes to finding mentors, Ruskin says, “If you tell people what you want to do but you know you need to start at the lowest level, they’re willing to give you that opportunity to be around and try and earn that experience.”
If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts? It only takes about 60-seconds and it really helps convince some of the hard-to-get guests to sit down and have a chat (simply scroll to the bottom on your iTunes Podcast app and click “Write Review"). Enjoy the show!
