Ruzer Pictures is an Emmy nominated production company. We produce feature films, documentaries, web series, commercials, docuseries, and virtual reality.
Our dedication to a tireless work ethic is coupled with years of experience from a seasoned team knowledgable in all aspects of production and post.
OUR TEAM
JOSEPH RUZER – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Joseph Ruzer is an Emmy nominated Russian born producer/director who fled the former USSR during its collapse. Joseph grew up in the U.S. and went on to perform in, produce, direct and edit dozens of theatrical productions and short films, eventually landing him a recurring role on the hit Nickelodeon series ‘Ned’s Declassified: School Survival Guide’.
After his run on ‘Ned’s’, Ruzer reconnected with his love of directing along with producing, and went on to produce/direct 500+ hours of original for-air programming, including docu-series, documentaries, digital series, music videos, feature films, short films and commercials.
Ruzer has developed, produced, directed and edited for production partners that have included VH1, MTV, Discovery, Bravo, Lionsgate, WeTV, TLC, Food Network, WNBA, FOX, Amazon Prime, Tubi, AppleTV+ and others.
Most recently, Joseph served as Executive Producer on the 2nd season of ‘Inmate to Roommate’ for A&E.
SEAN SLATER – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Sean Slater (Executive Producer) is a motion picture artist and educator. His theatre work, including The Business Lunch, Man+Woman=Play and Algerians have been showcased around the world, most notably at the Actors Theatre Workshop, San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre and the Provincetown Playhouse. His cinematic work includes Empire Gypsy, The Squatter, Man at the Door, the documentary Target: St. Louis and the forthcoming feature film Please Mrs. West.
JOSE R. GONZALEZ – DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
An award winning cinematographer, Jose Gonzalez has traveled the world shooting a wide variety of film and television programming.
Jose’s work has can be seen in award winning independent films, and shows such as ‘Survivor’, ‘Run’s House’, and UFC’s ‘The Ultimate Fighter’. Jose brings his deep knowledge of filmmaking and unique and sharp eye to the Ruzer Pictures production team.
RICHARD VELAZQUEZ – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Born in the Bronx and raised on the mean streets of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Richard Velazquez began his artist’s journey as a song and dance man performing in musicals and touring shows all over the US and in Europe. After graduating from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC he moved to Los Angeles where he hung up his dance shoes and fell in love with television production.
Soon after he found himself traveling the world producing adventure reality shows for Animal Planet, Discovery, History, SpikeTV, MTV and Nat Geo. One of his proudest achievements is having co-created and produced the documentary “Off The Chain” about the plight of fighting dogs in America featuring original music by members of the Wu-Tang Clan.
Showrunning and directing are a challenge he enjoys and his background in theater arts helps him create stories that are dynamic and compelling.
When not globetrotting or handling dangerous animals Richard can be found practicing jiujitsu and doing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles.