PR4P: When did you get your first big break?
JR: At first, I was a camera assistant, eyeballing the distance from the camera to the shot, helping to get the setup ready to shoot. If I stayed on that track, the next step would be to become a cinematographer. And my heart wasn’t in it. I did write a movie, Love Trapped in Baghdad, which was produced in China. So the goal is to keep writing.
PR4P: What projects are you currently working on?
JR: I’ve worked on quite a few documentaries and have developed some with my wife, Diana Lee. This year, I’m on the judges’ panel for the Broadcast Film Critics Award for best documentary. Right now we’re looking at everything before we make the first cut. I’m also writing for TruthDig.com, which was started up in 2005 by LA entrepreneur Zuade Kaufman, with Robert Scheer as editor in chief. It’s mainly political commentary, news, arts and culture. Chris Hedges and Amy Goodman are regular columnists.
PR4P: What projects do you envision in the future?
JR: Just keep writing about the things I love: arts, culture. I’ve even thought about working on staff as a critic. Even as a critic, I’m still writing about the things I love. I’m a big skier. I should write about skiing! I like dance. Last night, I went to the ballet to cover choreographer Matthew Bourne’s U.S premiere of The Red Shoes. I also love working as a travel writer and not your typical guided tour, but writing about culture—telling unusual stories that haven’t yet been told about people that just happen to be in faraway or unexpected places.
PR4P: When it comes to working with P.R. people what are your pet peeves?
JR: All reporters get an avalanche of emails. Put the date and other vital info right on top. Come with a full pitch. Tell me why it’s important and why now, so I can tell my editor why we should care.