Joseph Ruggieri(I)

Joseph Ruggieri attended undergraduate college at Elizabethtown College where he majored in Communications and minored in theater and philosophy. While there he produced most of the daily news programs at the college station ECTV, served as Operations Director to the station, and produced a music video show, Videoactive; a campus news show, Campus Beat; an entertainment magazine, Now Showing; and a comedy show, Please Laugh. He was also involved in radio, as a DJ and music director. In theater, he directed a half dozen plays as well as performing in a number of productions. He also wrote, constructed stages, and performed for both the improv and dance troops. He also attended Cheltenham University in the United Kingdom advancing both theater and film knowledge and experience. Before leaving Elizabethtown, he was in both the theater and communication's department National Honor Societies, as well sat on the department board as advisor to the communications department.

After leaving Elizabethtown, Joseph expanded his love of film production, music, directing and art by attending Chapman University in Los Angeles, California where he received his Masters of Fine Arts in Film Producing. While there, he was immersed in not only film business theory, but production practice as well, directing, shooting and editing a number of various projects; working as a production assistant for a number of feature films as well as a production coordinator for commercial productions for Lexus. He simultaneously continued to develop his skills in theater by performing, writing and directing for Ask Kevin Productions and performing with One Size Fits All improv comedy team. Professionally, Joseph has worked for the development department at Jersey Films; spent a year as coordinator's assistant on the Emmy Award winning show, the West Wing; and worked as head of development and production at Rigel Entertainment, where he produced a number of projects.

He continues to produce independent film projects, contribute to theater whenever possible and helps fledgling filmmakers by producing short films.