Robert Patton-Spruill
Encyclopedia
Robert Patton-Spruill is an independent film director, screenwriter, producer, and teacher. His company, FilmShack, is based in Boston
. Spruill lives in Roxubury, MA with his wife and daughter. Spruill is a professor at Emerson College
, where he is Director in Residence.
, after which Spruill was signed for international representation by the William Morris Agency
in Hollywood. Patton-Spruill later moved back to Boston, where he currently resides.
began the 10-year process of opening up their own production company, studio, and rental business for low-budget filmmakers in his home town of Roxbury, MA. Since the opening of FilmShack in 2000, Spruill and Moreno produced numerous short films, music videos and independent features, including Turntable ([American Film Institute | AFI Film Festival]], 2005). The music video Spruill directed for the popular hip hop band Public Enemy led to the production of the full length documentary Welcome to the Terrordome (2007).
Robert Patton-Spruill's most recent success was the documentary Do It Again
(2010), which followed Boston Globe reporter Geoff Edgers on his irrational quest to reunite the classic rock band The Kinks
. Do It Again premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival on January 28, 2010. Other notable screening locations included Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
, Cleveland International Film Festival
, Independent Film Festival of Boston
, and the Nashville Film Festival
. Future dates include the Taipei Film Festival
, Indianapolis International Film Festival
, and Pusan International Film Festival
.
Robert Patton-Spruill is currently in production for his sixth film, The Rat on Fire, which is a feature length adaptation of the novel by George V. Higgins
. The film is directed by Jan Egleson, and Patton-Spruill is producer, writer, editor, and camera operator. The film is expected to be completed in 2012.
Other work to come out of Spruill's direction and FilmShack includes | Garden Girl TV, the hit web series starring his wife as Patti Moreno the Garden Girl. The website has produced over 200 how-to videos about urban gardening
, and FilmShack produces gardening and home improvement videos for HGTV.com
. FilmShack is currently in the early stages of shooting a full season of Gardening by Cuisine with Patti Moreno.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Spruill lives in Roxubury, MA with his wife and daughter. Spruill is a professor at Emerson College
Emerson College
Emerson College is a private coeducational university located in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1880 by Charles Wesley Emerson as a "school of oratory," Emerson is "the only comprehensive college or university in America dedicated exclusively to communication and the arts in a liberal arts...
, where he is Director in Residence.
Biography
Spruill was born in Roxbury and raised by theatre artists James Spruill and Linda Patton, whose work with the New African Company was groundbreaking for black theatre in Boston. Robert Patton-Spruill attended BU with a solid background in theatre, but decided to pursue film instead, and wrote the screenplay for his first film Squeeze while still in college. Squeeze (1997) was shot on a meagre $155,000 budget, and was cast with young Boston theatre students whom Spruill taught at the Dorchester Youth Collaborative, and who went on to receive critical acclaim and pursue careers in Hollywood. Squeeze was bought by Miramax at the Los Angeles Independent Film FestivalLos Angeles Film Festival
The Los Angeles Film Festival, presented by the Los Angeles Times is an event held annually in June in downtown Los Angeles, California. The Los Angeles Film Festival began as the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival in 1995. The first LAIFF took place over the course of five days in a single...
, after which Spruill was signed for international representation by the William Morris Agency
William Morris Endeavor
WME is the largest talent agency in the world, with offices in Beverly Hills, New York City, Nashville, London, and Miami. WME represents elite artists from all facets of the entertainment industry, including motion pictures, television, music, theatre, publishing, and physical production...
in Hollywood. Patton-Spruill later moved back to Boston, where he currently resides.
Films & Career
After his first film, Robert Patton-Spruill also directed Body Count (1998) at age 25, which was a straight-to-video Showtime feature, after which he and his wife Patti MorenoPatti moreno
Patti Moreno, born in New York City, is an independent film producer and television personality best known for her work as Garden Girl on the hit web video series Garden Girl TV. Living and working in Boston, Patti publishes the hit website and e-newsletter , and is in the process of writing a book...
began the 10-year process of opening up their own production company, studio, and rental business for low-budget filmmakers in his home town of Roxbury, MA. Since the opening of FilmShack in 2000, Spruill and Moreno produced numerous short films, music videos and independent features, including Turntable ([American Film Institute | AFI Film Festival]], 2005). The music video Spruill directed for the popular hip hop band Public Enemy led to the production of the full length documentary Welcome to the Terrordome (2007).
Robert Patton-Spruill's most recent success was the documentary Do It Again
Do It Again (documentary)
Do It Again is a 2009 documentary film directed by Robert Patton-Spruill and produced by Boston Globe reporter Geoff Edgers. The film follows Edgers on his quest to reunite British rock band The Kinks...
(2010), which followed Boston Globe reporter Geoff Edgers on his irrational quest to reunite the classic rock band The Kinks
The Kinks
The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
. Do It Again premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival on January 28, 2010. Other notable screening locations included Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival is an annual international event dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of non-fiction cinema. Each spring Full Frame welcomes filmmakers and film lovers from around the world to historic downtown Durham, North Carolina for a four-day, morning to midnight...
, Cleveland International Film Festival
Cleveland International Film Festival
The Cleveland International Film Festival, first held in 1977, is the largest film festival in Ohio. The 2010 festival featured over 300 films. Since 1991 the festival has been held at Tower City Cinemas in downtown Cleveland.-Roxanne T...
, Independent Film Festival of Boston
Independent Film Festival of Boston
The Independent Film Festival of Boston is a not for profit film festival in Boston, Massachusetts.- History :The Independent Film Festival of Boston was created in 2003 by the non-profit organization the Independent Film Society of Boston. The festival takes place each April in the Boston area's...
, and the Nashville Film Festival
Nashville Film Festival
The Nashville Film Festival , held annually in Nashville, Tennessee, is the oldest running film festival in the South and one of the oldest in the United States. In 2009, Nashville Film Festival received close to 2000 submissions from 86 countries, programmed nearly 260 films and had an attendance...
. Future dates include the Taipei Film Festival
Taipei Film Festival
The Taipei Film Festival 台北電影節 is a film festival promoted by the city of Taipei, Taiwan, the Republic of China, through the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs....
, Indianapolis International Film Festival
Indianapolis International Film Festival
-Mission & General Information:Founded in 2004, the Indianapolis International Film Festival seeks to create a shared experience by championing films that entertain, challenge and expand perspectives in Indianapolis and beyond...
, and Pusan International Film Festival
Pusan International Film Festival
Busan International Film Festival , held annually in Haeundae-gu, Busan , South Korea, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia...
.
Robert Patton-Spruill is currently in production for his sixth film, The Rat on Fire, which is a feature length adaptation of the novel by George V. Higgins
George V. Higgins
George V. Higgins was a United States author, lawyer, newspaper columnist, and college professor. He is best known for his bestselling crime novels. His full name was George Vincent Higgins, but his books were all published as by George V. Higgins. ACtually, his full name was George V...
. The film is directed by Jan Egleson, and Patton-Spruill is producer, writer, editor, and camera operator. The film is expected to be completed in 2012.
Other work to come out of Spruill's direction and FilmShack includes | Garden Girl TV, the hit web series starring his wife as Patti Moreno the Garden Girl. The website has produced over 200 how-to videos about urban gardening
Gardening
Gardening is the practice of growing and cultivating plants. Ornamental plants are normally grown for their flowers, foliage, or overall appearance; useful plants are grown for consumption , for their dyes, or for medicinal or cosmetic use...
, and FilmShack produces gardening and home improvement videos for HGTV.com
HGTV
HGTV , is a cable-television network operating in the United States and Canada, broadcasting a variety of home and garden improvement, maintenance, renovation, craft and remodeling shows...
. FilmShack is currently in the early stages of shooting a full season of Gardening by Cuisine with Patti Moreno.