Morris Ruskin
Encyclopedia
Morris Ruskin is an independent film producer and CEO of Shoreline Entertainment
, one of the longest running production companies and international sales agencies.
Since the early 1990s, Ruskin has produced a number of critically acclaimed films including Glengarry Glen Ross
, The Man From Elysian Fields
, Lakeboat
, Price of Glory
, Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School, and The Visit
.
In 1992 Morris established Shoreline Entertainment
to continue producing his own films and to help secure financing and distribution for other independent productions, structuring deals that incorporate deferments, soft money and international co-productions in order to create financially-viable motion pictures.
Morris is no stranger to the festival circuit. Three of his films have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival
; six have premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
; he's produced the opening night selection of the Slamdance Film Festival
; and High Life
was his first production to premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival
. Morris' films have been frequently feted as well: Al Pacino
was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Glengarry Glen Ross
; The Visit was nominated for four Independent Spirit Awards
and The Signal
played at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival
and was nominated for the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award
.
By persistently working with prominent writers and directors and by developing and acquiring projects that are attractive to the major studios, mini-majors, and foreign markets alike, Morris has ensured for over eighteen years that Shoreline remains a stable yet versatile and ever-evolving organization.
Shoreline Entertainment
Shoreline Entertainment is one of the longest running production companies and international sales agencies. The company was founded in 1992 by CEO and film producer Morris Ruskin....
, one of the longest running production companies and international sales agencies.
Since the early 1990s, Ruskin has produced a number of critically acclaimed films including Glengarry Glen Ross
Glengarry Glen Ross (film)
Glengarry Glen Ross is a 1992 American drama film, adapted by David Mamet from his acclaimed 1984 Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning play of the same name...
, The Man From Elysian Fields
The Man From Elysian Fields
The Man from Elysian Fields is a drama film directed by George Hickenlooper. It stars Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, Olivia Williams, Julianna Margulies and James Coburn.-Plot:...
, Lakeboat
Lakeboat
Lakeboat is a semi-autobiographical play by David Mamet, first produced in 1980.As he would later do with Glengarry Glen Ross, Mamet drew upon experiences from a past vocation to create high drama...
, Price of Glory
Price of Glory
Price of Glory is a 2000 American sports drama film written by Phil Berger, directed by Carlos Avila and starring Jimmy Smits. The movie was nominated for several ALMA Awards in 2001. The film was shot in Huntington Park, California, Los Angeles, California, and Nogales, Arizona...
, Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School, and The Visit
The Visit
The Visit is a 1956 tragicomic play by Swiss dramatist Friedrich Dürrenmatt.-Plot summary:...
.
In 1992 Morris established Shoreline Entertainment
Shoreline Entertainment
Shoreline Entertainment is one of the longest running production companies and international sales agencies. The company was founded in 1992 by CEO and film producer Morris Ruskin....
to continue producing his own films and to help secure financing and distribution for other independent productions, structuring deals that incorporate deferments, soft money and international co-productions in order to create financially-viable motion pictures.
Morris is no stranger to the festival circuit. Three of his films have premiered at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
; six have premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
; he's produced the opening night selection of the Slamdance Film Festival
Slamdance Film Festival
As a year-round organization, Slamdance serves as a showcase for the discovery of new and emerging talent in the film industry; it is also the only major film festival fully programmed by filmmakers. Slamdance counts among its alumni many notable writers and directors who first gained notice at the...
; and High Life
High Life (film)
High Life is a 2009 Canadian film based on the stage play by Lee MacDougall, written by Lee MacDougall and directed by Gary Yates. Starring Timothy Olyphant, Stephen Eric McIntyre, Joe Anderson and Rossif Sutherland, High Life is a comedic heist movie from the flip-side of the 80’s consumer dream.-...
was his first production to premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival , also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978...
. Morris' films have been frequently feted as well: Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in Glengarry Glen Ross
Glengarry Glen Ross (film)
Glengarry Glen Ross is a 1992 American drama film, adapted by David Mamet from his acclaimed 1984 Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning play of the same name...
; The Visit was nominated for four Independent Spirit Awards
Independent Spirit Awards
The Independent Spirit Awards , founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the paltry budgets of independent films. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit...
and The Signal
The Signal (film)
The Signal is an independent psychological horror-comedy film written and directed by David Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry and produced by Alexander A. Motlagh—four filmmakers who have been collaborating since 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia...
played at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival
2007 Sundance Film Festival
The 2007 Sundance Film Festival ran from January 18 until January 28, 2007 in Park City, Utah with screenings in Salt Lake City, Utah and Ogden, Utah. It was the 23-rd iteration of the Sundance Film Festival...
and was nominated for the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award
Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award
The Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award is presented to the creative team of a film budgeted at less than $500,000 by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers...
.
By persistently working with prominent writers and directors and by developing and acquiring projects that are attractive to the major studios, mini-majors, and foreign markets alike, Morris has ensured for over eighteen years that Shoreline remains a stable yet versatile and ever-evolving organization.
Partial filmography
- Glengarry Glen RossGlengarry Glen Ross (film)Glengarry Glen Ross is a 1992 American drama film, adapted by David Mamet from his acclaimed 1984 Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning play of the same name...
- Matter of TrustMatter of TrustMatter of Trust is a 1997 independent film directed by Joey Travolta and written by John Penney. Model and dancer Dita Von Teese played a small part in it. Other cast members include: C. Thomas Howell as Michael D'Angelo, Joan Severance as Theresa Marsh, Nick Mancuso as Peter Marsh, Robert Miano as...
- The Godson
- Price of GloryPrice of GloryPrice of Glory is a 2000 American sports drama film written by Phil Berger, directed by Carlos Avila and starring Jimmy Smits. The movie was nominated for several ALMA Awards in 2001. The film was shot in Huntington Park, California, Los Angeles, California, and Nogales, Arizona...
- LakeboatLakeboatLakeboat is a semi-autobiographical play by David Mamet, first produced in 1980.As he would later do with Glengarry Glen Ross, Mamet drew upon experiences from a past vocation to create high drama...
- Dark Asylum
- The Man from Elysian FieldsThe Man From Elysian FieldsThe Man from Elysian Fields is a drama film directed by George Hickenlooper. It stars Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, Olivia Williams, Julianna Margulies and James Coburn.-Plot:...
- Dark CornersDark CornersDark Corners is a 2006 horror-thriller film starring Thora Birch as a woman who can't escape her bad dreams. The line begins to blur between reality and the horror that lives in her mind, making everyone wonder what's really happening.-Cast:...
- Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm SchoolMarilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm SchoolMarilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School is a 2005 musical romance film produced by Samuel Goldwyn Films and directed by Randall Miller...
- Everything's Gone GreenEverything's Gone Green (film)Everything's Gone Green is a 2006 Canadian comedy film directed by Paul Fox and written by Douglas Coupland. It was produced by Radke Films and True West Films...
- WeirdsvilleWeirdsvilleWeirdsville is a black comedy directed by Allan Moyle and written by Willem Wennekers. The film premiered January 18, 2007 at the 2007 Slamdance Film Festival. The film has also been shown at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Raindance Film...
- The SignalThe Signal (film)The Signal is an independent psychological horror-comedy film written and directed by David Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry and produced by Alexander A. Motlagh—four filmmakers who have been collaborating since 1999 in Atlanta, Georgia...
- Shadow PuppetsShadow Puppets (film)Shadow Puppets is a 2007 horror film about eight strangers with no memories who find themselves trapped in an abandoned facility. As they desperately try to find answers and escape, a menacing shadow attempts to have them killed...
- The Fifth PatientThe Fifth PatientThe Fifth Patient is a 2007 American thriller film written and directed by Amir Mann. The film stars Nick Chinlund as John Reilly, an American national who finds himself in an African hospital where, he learns, he has spent the last two years due to a head injury. He remembers nothing of his past...
- Hank and MikeHank and MikeHank and Mike is a 2008 comedy film directed by Matthiew Klinck, from a screenplay written by Paolo Mancini and Thomas Michael. The film tells the story of two blue-collar Easter Bunnies who get fired and try their hand at an assortment of odd jobs....
- SenselessSenselessSenseless is a 1998 American comedy film directed by Penelope Spheeris and written by Greg Erb and Craig Mazin. The film stars Marlon Wayans, David Spade, and Matthew Lillard as college students.-Plot:...
- High LifeHigh Life (film)High Life is a 2009 Canadian film based on the stage play by Lee MacDougall, written by Lee MacDougall and directed by Gary Yates. Starring Timothy Olyphant, Stephen Eric McIntyre, Joe Anderson and Rossif Sutherland, High Life is a comedic heist movie from the flip-side of the 80’s consumer dream.-...
- Master Harold...and the BoysMaster Harold...and the Boys (2010 film)Master Harold...and the Boys is a 2010 film, which is based on the original theatre play of the same name by Athol Fugard, directed by director Lonny Price. The cast includes Freddie Highmore and Ving Rhames with the release to be set in 2010.-Plot:...