To commemorate the birthday of our late founder, Ruth L. Ratny, the Reel Chicago writing staff — along with publisher Barbara Roche and a few friends — fondly recall the wisdom that she shared with us.
There’s a lot of it to go around.
Besides founding Reel Chicago as well as Screen Magazine, Ruth lived through a Great Depression, a World War, the Beat Generation, Viet Nam, hippies, disco, the first great wave of Feminism, VHS, Betamax, yuppies, two Middle Eastern Wars, the next great wave of Feminism and sixteen US Presidents.
She also wrote several screenplays, including Borders and Mahalia, both of which are being considered for development.
BARBARA ROCHE
PUBLISHER
that’s easy…
When you’ve been friends with someone for over 30 years you can’t help but absorb a piece of them, making a connection that cannot be defined. Anything can trigger a memory that has you on the floor with laughter. You don’t need to finish your sentence because they’ve got it. You know they will always be there when you need to talk, and when you listen, you are simply in awe of their talents.
They may bug you to no end and they may be a bit quirky, but that comes with the territory of genius.
This was my dearest friend, Ruth.
A few things I have learned from Ruth:
persistance
be a good listener
If you want to know, ask
you are never too old to learn something new
don’t fall in love with a looser (yes you know who you are)
if you don’t like the table, move, and move again until its right
if you don’t like the food, send it back
help the homeless because “there, but for the grace of God, go I”
be there to help guide someone who is trying to find their way
be kind to children and animals
laugh
sometimes you just need to be bossy
The most significant thing I learned from Ruth and attempt to emulate, is to raise someone up whenever possible. Give compliments and be an easy laugh. Ruth had a gift for always making me feel smart, funny and far more clever than I am. She was my go-to person, my biggest supporter, motivator and personal cheerleader. I miss her everyday.
It’s been a long day without you, my friend
I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again
DANIEL PATTON
EDITOR
Keep Writing
On evenings and weekends, when breaking industry news was not so urgent, Ruth and I would discuss topics and ideas that never got published.
Shave before business meetings
Ruth never liked seeing a five o’clock shadow. “Unless,” she said, “that’s part of your look.”
Swearing is good (in moderation)
Every now and then, uttering bad words is not only therapeutic, but also enjoyable. Ruth didn’t do it often, but when she did, it was fun to hear and join in.
Eat often, especially when Roy Skillicorn is around
Ruth was a meat and potatoes kinda gal and — on a certain occasion that she described often — received lifesaving assistance from the Seed Media Arts founder when a mouthful wasn’t going down just right.
Loyalty
Don’t let anyone mess with people you care about.
COLIN COSTELLO
LA CORRESPONDENT
Personal Touch
I, too, now try to add a slightly personal touch to my articles.
Curiosity
I also try to ask questions that might make someone uncomfortable.
Windy City Love
I also want to celebrate the great things about Chicago advertising and film.
Persistence
I learned to be relentless in pursuing my dreams, like Ruth did.
ROY SKILLICORN
FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SEED MEDIA ARTS
“Things I learned from Ruth Ratny.”
1) Being selected as Screen Magazine’s the first “Rep of the Year” can catapult you from a total nobody to the top almost overnight;
2) The Heimlich Maneuver works (see above);
3) You can depend on someone spelling name right after saving their life (even Skillicorn).
