Rugged Entertainment is committed to creating and distributing unique content with independent voices from diverse backgrounds — passionate, immersive, sometimes irreverent, always engaging.
Peter Spirer
Peter Spirer, Founder of Rugged Entertainment, is an Academy and Emmy Award-Nominated director and producer whose films have been official selections at Sundance Film Festival.
Peter has directed over 20 feature films with worldwide distribution on multiple platforms including Rhyme & Reason, BEEF, Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel and Notorious B.I.G. His latest films are The Legend of 420 which explores the legalization of cannabis, Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation an insider’s look into the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team and the first-ever international championship held on sovereign land, and Sacheen, about Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather’s life and that fateful night at the 1973 Oscars.
Currently in production is Sign O’ The Times — a documentary about the legendary rock ‘n’ roll billboards of the Sunset Strip in their heyday from the 1960s-80s as told by artists, managers, record company executives, art directors, and photographers.
Richard Spero
Richard began his career at Silver Pictures and Permut Presentations, which inspired him to pursue his passion for film and literature. He was recommended by these industry leading Producers for a position at The William Morris Agency in the Motion Picture Division, working with such notable clients as John Travolta, Quentin Tarantino, and Tupac Shakur. Following his career path at WMA, Richard formed the production company Trillium Entertainment, shaping his creative pursuits producing television and film projects. First, he co-produced Rhyme & Reason, directed by Academy Award Nominee Peter Spirer. The film was an inspiring look into the world of hip-hop music featuring such artists as Dr. Dre, The Notorious BIG, Sean Combs, and Ice-T. Miramax purchased and released the film theatrically with critical success and strong box office performance. The film’s soundtrack hit #1 on the Billboard Charts in its debut and rose to Gold Record status soon thereafter. Next he produced, packaged, and secured $50 million in financing for Warner Bros.’ feature film 3000 Miles To Graceland, starring Kevin Costner, Kurt Russell, and Courteney Cox.
Recently, he executive produced Spirer's film, Sacheen, based on the life of Sacheen Littlefeather who rejected the Academy Award on Marlon Brandon's behalf for The Godfather in 1973. He is currently producing Sign O’ The Times: The Rock 'N' Roll Billboards of the Sunset Strip, among numerous other projects. In addition, he has produced several films premiering at prominent film festivals.
During his free time, Richard has enjoyed volunteering for Union Station in Pasadena and the Special Olympics.
Kelly Bevan
Raised and educated in New York City, Kelly Bevan began her career in fashion at the illustrious VOGUE magazine. Quickly climbing the ranks, she spent a number of years representing the magazine around the U.S. and Canada. When the opportunity presented itself, she left the lights of Broadway for the freeways of L.A. There she continued in the fashion world as Fashion and PR Director at the west coast flagship of Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills.
Fast forward a few years, she joined Aslan Productions and co-founded Rugged Entertainment, producing several films: Ghostride the Whip, Just Another Day, Rhyme and Punishment, Soulja Boy: The Movie, and most recently, The Legend of 420. When not in production, she oversees the finances and communications of the company.
Reggie Thomas
Reggie Thomas is a seasoned music, film, and television entertainment consultant with years of industry experience. He has worked on notable marketing and promotional campaigns such as Mel Gibson's “The Passion of the Christ” and BET’s “Copwatch.”
On February 5, 2021, Vertical Entertainment released the Spike Lee film “Son of The South” in theaters nationwide, with Reggie as Associate Producer.
In 2022, Reggie collaborated with the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, to secure television opportunities for her Blue Butterfly Productions. This partnership led to the creation of notable projects including the television show Ride or Die, which explored the complex dynamics in relationships that lead to criminal associations out of love.
As well as making acquisitions for Rugged Entertainment, Reggie is Executive Producing two feature film biopics set for release in 2025, and several other film, TV, and music projects in the works for 2024.
Joel Rutkowski
Joel Rutkowski is a producer, editor, writer and musician who has worked on a wide range of entertainment projects throughout his career in Hollywood. He has edited several Rugged documentaries, including Rhyme and Punishment, Kiss and Tail, and Soulja Boy, as well as the feature film Just Another Day, and has also contributed as writer and producer on many of the same. Joel was the lead editor on the prestigious and award-winning documentary Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation, which was produced by Rugged's affiliate One Bowl Productions. In addition to his long-form editorial work, he has also edited several short-form projects, ranging from theatrical trailers and web promos to short films and music videos.
When he's not editing and working behind the camera, Joel can be found playing music in front of the camera and live on stage, most notably as bassist and guitarist on the Comedy Central series The Comedy Jam. The series is a spin-off of a live comedy/music show called The Goddamn Comedy Jam, which Joel co-created with a group of fellow Los Angeles musicians and comedians, and for which he acts as Musical Director. The show has toured across North America and has featured talent such as Bill Burr, Sarah Silverman, Dane Cook, Tiffany Haddish and Marc Maron.
Ryan Bloom
Ryan Bloom, a producer, editor and director at Rugged Entertainment LLC, began his career while studying Film and Television Production at The University of York in Northern England where he received a Royal Television Society Award for his short film The Unveiling which he wrote, directed, produced and edited. After graduating and moving to Hollywood, LA, he has worked on feature films including Spirit Game: Pride of a Nation and more recently, associate producing The Giant Killer and The Legend of 420, which he also edited before its worldwide release on Netflix.
Steven Jurgensmeyer
Steven Jurgensmeyer is a freelance writer and producer, and a 25-year veteran of the music industry, where he served as Creative Director for two groundbreaking independent labels, Rykodisc and Rounder Records
An avid reader and writer, he is the founder and editor of AllMusicBooks.com, a unique musical community for fans to review and explore music books, bios and autobiographies. Jurgensmeyer also writes on various music and music industry subjects on Medium.com, Cuepoint and the AllMusicBooks blog.
Steven still art directs and designs music projects, and his work can be seen at www.stevenjurgensmeyer.com.
Seth Ingram
Seth Ingram is a filmmaker and deal maker from based in Atlanta, Georgia, with extensive experience in visual media industry as a producer, writer, director for scripted and unscripted TV and independent film productions. Seth obtained much of his film industry knowledge working in the film the festival industry as the Executive and Creative Director of the Rome International Film Festival. Seth has mentored many filmmakers in getting their films completed and into the marketplace.
Additionally, Seth is an influencer in the Georgia film industry with a background in higher education. Seth strongly believes that relationships are the real currency of life, and he is willing to use his wit, wisdom, and extensive network to better the lives and fortunes of everyone.
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