When a former public access celebrity discovers her old nemesis is now a popular social media star, she decides it’s time to take back the spotlight.

Interview with Writer/Director/Actor Ruthie Marantz

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

This is my life story, somewhat fictionalized. I resisted it for twenty years and decided to put myself out there.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

It is personal, it's raw, and you get to see vintage footage of New York City in the 90s. A Spice Girl is in it. Kind of a no brainer.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I taped myself from ages 13-17 on a public access show in Manhattan called Rainbow Ruthie. I became somewhat of a local celebrity from my show, in a pre-internet world. I have four years of archival footage of myself growing up on camera. I am now a 36-year-old filmmaker, still living in New York, trying to navigate my life after traumatically losing my dad. This project is about trying to figure out who you are, who you were, and how to get back your spark.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Because I see this project as an episodic endeavor, I keep thinking of the themes of the seasons and subsequent episodes. The hardest part of the project is figuring out which archival footage to use and when, and how the past and present stories intervene.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

People love it. As writer and director, you don't know why certain projects make an impact and others don't, but the response has been overwhelming.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Interesting question. I am my own worst critic and this film has allowed me to feel more empowered in my career, which definitely feels like overcoming a huge challenge.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

I have no agent/manager or publicist. Visibility is everything!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Working with a producer for the potential development of the series, but nothing set in stone yet. Would love a female showrunner to befriend me.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

I'd like to win an Oscar for Best Live Action Short- that would rule (my film is eligible this year).

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

Is nostalgia painful? :)

Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you! Check out my trailer online!

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

Working on two potential features that I can't talk about quite yet! Trying to sell this series.

Interview: August 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Rainbow Ruthie

When a former public access celebrity discovers her old nemesis is now a popular social media star, she decides it’s time to take back the spotlight.

Length: 20:33

Director: Ruthie Marantz

Producer: Millicent Cho

Writer: Ruthie Marantz

About the writer, director and producer:

RUTHIE MARANTZ is an award-winning writer and director born and raised in New York City. Her work has been screened in numerous festivals including SXSW, Seattle International Film Festival, and BamCinemaFEST. Her pilot Rainbow Ruthie is Academy Award Eligible in 2019. Her latest work is supported by IFP and has been funded by Spike Lee. Ruthie holds a MFA in Directing and Writing film from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

MILLICENT CHO is a writer, director, and producer of independent films. Recent credits include Ma (2017), Beauty (2017), and Grace of God (2013). Her ideas involve the fantasy lives of women: their dreams and desires, and their worst nightmares. She was born in the Bronx and raised in Queens, New York.

Key cast: Ayumi Patterson, Parker Kit Hill, Jay Santiago, Alexis Bronkovic, David Meyers

Looking for: buyers, producers

Facebook: Ruthie Marantz

Twitter: @ruthiemarantz

Instagram: @rainbowruthietv

Hashtags used: #rainbowruthie

Website: www.rainbowruthie.com

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: IFP, Sandra Ifraimova and Spike Lee Production Fund, Caucus Foundation,Riese Foundation,

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? Sidewalk Film Festival, Birmingham, Alabama /August 25th; Golden Door Film Festival /September 19th/ New Jersey; North Fork TV Festival/ New York / October 4th .