Ruth L Ratny

Ruth L Ratny Chronicler of Chicago's visual media industry. Founder and editor of ReelChicago.com, reaching the highest film readership east of The Hollywood Reporter.

Mahalia Jackson
24/06/2016

Mahalia Jackson

June is Black Music Month and in honor of Mahalia Jackson, I will deliver a narrative set to music about Mahalia Jackson...
24/06/2016

June is Black Music Month and in honor of Mahalia Jackson, I will deliver a narrative set to music about Mahalia Jackson, the world’s greatest gospel singer, at the Newberry Library, June 29 at 4 p.m. The presentation, focuses on the gospel great’s early years on the South Side and deals how she rose from her scrubwoman’s knees through faith to become one of the world’s most influential women of her time. Free and open to all.

22/05/2016

Same old complaint: I'm swamped! Lots of activity to write about for ReelChicago and not enough hours in the day to do it all. So I'm again putting out the call for writers. We're also looking for columnists who have something to say about their specialties and can talk about trends. A good intern or two would also help the cause. Contact me at [email protected] or phone 312/274-9980.

01/02/2016

We are starting to produce "ReelChicago.TV," the "Hollywood Access"-- based on all the interesting visual media work going, from webisodes to spots to features, et al. Its mission is to promote our ever-expanding market (estimated at $700 million and counting). It will be a fast-paced half hour TV show, with segments on social media throughout the week and streaming on the Reel. Four top professionals are on the team so far and we plan on shooting our first segment for the demo shortly. Want to be part of the show? Let's talk. Call me at 312/274-9980.

24/12/2015

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. It can't get any better than that!

24/12/2015

In preparing for the launch of ReelChicago's long overdue, new website, I assembled some eye-opening stats about the size of the Chicago media & entertainment market. How does $708 million sound to you? That's like double what the state reported in 2013. (Neither film office released 2014 production/income data.)

One research nugget: Chicago is the second largest ad market in North America, with an estimated $25 million in billings. We boast 1,605 ad, marketing and digital agencies and they employ 25,000.

If you're intrigued by other market size data, drop me an email, [email protected], and I'll send the info. I think you'll be as surprised (and pleased) as I was.

19/10/2015

Thanks to The Donald, my movie "Borders of the Heart," is a hot property. It's an immigration story, a Mexican immigration story, as old as the hills, in search of a better life somewhere else. In my screenplay, a young Mexican mother needs to cross the border to reunite with her errant husband in Chicago, for the sake of their daughter's future. Her husband lives the American Dream in the States and the arrival of his family will change all that. To prevent their entry, he goes to extreme means to stop them at the border.

We plan on filming here in La Villita, Little Village, the Near South Latino enclave, in New Mexico for Mexico itself and at the Tex Mex border of Laredo. Estimated budget $3 million. Interested in learning more? My email is [email protected].

03/10/2015

I was very surprised -- and elated -- when AICP's survey of members revealed that Chicago's commercials expenditures for 2014 was a massive $143 million! That's 240% greater than DCEO's reported $60 million from commercials in 2013, the last year it reported Illinois income from film production.
I have always believed film income is vastly greater than the state reports, because it only includes projects eligible for the tax credit and I believe that ignores at least an estimated $175 million that goes unreported, such as the $50 million for corporate videos, and $100 million from post production. .

28/06/2015

I had the worst possible computer glitch that wiped out my voluminous contacts, folders and data and emails. Two different IP techs couldn't fix it. I am limping along to get the Reel out and emails answered. I know, I know, I shoulda bought a Mac instead of another PC.

22/02/2015

I am very pleased and proud to share with you the good news that Bill Duke has signed to direct and executive produce my Mahalia Jackson movie. The actor/director of more than 60 features, TV shows and documentaries says the Mahalia movie has been a long-time passion project of his, too.

My Mahalia adventure began in 2000, before the freak elevator accident and the subsequent bout of cancer, and I resumed it with even stronger purpose and resolve in 2004.

During the past 10 years of research and writing, I met with her fascinating friends, accompanists, clergy and family in collecting never-before-stories that were incorporated into my screenplay of her amazing life.

Now, with Bill Duke's participation, as the song Mahalia sang as the first gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall, says, "I'm on my Way."

Viisit "The Mahalia Jackson Story" page for the trials and triumphs of the world's greatest gospel singer and Civil Rights champion.

04/02/2015

Feb. 4 is a very noteworthy day for me, a joyous anniversary, a celebration of life. When people who know me call me a “survivor,” they aren’t kidding. As of this day, I am officially 10 years cancer-free!
On Feb. 4, 2005, I had the last of a four month series of aggressive treatments at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. I was under the excellent care of oncologist Dr. Jane Winter and her outstanding team of specialists.
From October through February, I underwent six chemo infusions each lasting three hours. It was more like a three hour nap as the nurses put va**um in my saline drip.
I was given innumerable claustrophobic MRIs, blood tests, X-rays, pokes and procedures that were endurable because at the start of each exam, I stuck out my arm, put a finger on a vein and said “there.” Then, after every chemo treatment, I returned to the hospital for the most painful shots ever conceived by medical science.
While I kept my illness a secret (sick people tend to do that), I did share it with some longtime good friends. Nancy Lasch, whom you know as ReelChicago’s bookkeeper, especially, was at my side at the countless tedious hospital visits and procedures.
Marguerita was my daily caretaker. She made sure I drank my Boost (a cancer patient’s appetite is non-existent), swallowed handfuls of pills on schedule and treated me to homemade tamales that I could only nibble on. For my birthday, her present was a lovely angel figurine to watch over me.
An amazing ten years later, I’m here to celebrate it with you … and the future looks brighter than ever.

12/10/2014

Now that I'm back in the game, Energizer Bunny status restored and voice back to normal after a month of recuperating from endoscopy, I realized how much I've missed being out and about, interacting with smart, talented people and learning new things. I hope to see you at more social events and conferences. Come on over and say hello!

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