Джэф Грюэн: от съемок Олимпиады до винных туров в Онтарио

Belleville’s Own: Always look forward, never look back, have no regrets Article content VIC SCHUKOV Jeff Gruen is an example of the acorn not falling far from the oak tree(s), his father was an actor and professional musician; his mom was an award-winning stage actress. His sister Bonnie starred in movies and TV shows. At 18, Gruen entered Ryerson University’s Radio and Television Arts Program. Recommended Videos Before graduating in 1980, Gruen was hired as a cameraman zooming along the eastern seaboard making travel videos and editing. Then he went to Edmonton’s CTV affiliate TV station shooting variety and talk shows and local sports events like Eskimo and Oiler games and a Grey Cup game, no less. In 1988, he filmed the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary. In between, he acted in Edmonton theatre, doing four musicals as a lead, and lots of commercials. In 1989, he started freelancing for a travel show and went to Russia and Ukraine while they were still communist, so his guide was the KGB. He shot in the Caribbean, Hawaii and Hong Kong that same year. In 1990, he started at CBC as a writer/producer in the promo department responsible for big-ticket sports programming like the Olympics and Blue Jays and Argos games. His name figures prominently on the walls of CBC, garnering awards. Once again, nearing what he calls his best before expiry date, he moved on: “I ended up in Alliance-Atlantis in 1997, a movie company that owned specialty channels like Showcase, History, Discovery Life Network, and the Food Network. In 2000, I became creative director for Life Network (now Slice), HGTV, Food Network and Discovery Health, directing all the promotions that needed to be done (again winning many international awards.)” In 2005, he quit at the top of his game to go into programming. He became a series director on a reality show called Maxed Out on W (Women’s) Network. In 2008, he was an editor for Style by Jury and Totally Tracked Down, a show about tracking down B list actors, interviewing big names like Lou Ferrigno and Stan Lee. Then came Brides of Beverley Hills. In 2013, he produced a show called Off Beat Roads: The Danakil Diaries for Travel and Escape Network, his first foray into producing his own shows as a creator. In 2014, he acted in a Bud Light Super Bowl commercial. He edited Holmes and Holmes, then Sarah off the Grid, and other shows running up into 2017. “Then I got worn out and had to get away. I wanted to live where there is more air, looking for more open space. My sister and Mum were already in Brighton, so I knew the area and moved to Smithfield in 2017.” What followed was notable acting in Toronto shot TV shows: Two episodes on Suits, as the FBI agent who arrested the popular character Michael Ross: “People say, that was you? I hate you! (laughing.) I spent an entire day with Meghan Markle. She is the sweetest, most wonderful woman.” He also starred in an episode of Mayday, a popular show that chronicles plane crashes and why they happen; also in Stephen King’s 11-22-63, a mini-series starring James Franco. All three TV shows in the same year. Eternally buzzing, Jeff taught courses at Loyalist College in the Media and Film program. “I don’t stay in anything too long. I go after my dreams and never think I can’t make a move and succeed. My philosophy is live life large and look and be open to every single opportunity.” Since 2018, he spends summers running his own boutique business called Wine O’Clock Tours, performing (literally) wine, beer cider and distillery tours in Prince Edward County where groups have fun learning about the County and its wines. He picks you up and you enjoy a guided tour making up to six winery stops along the way, depending on whether you opt for the half or full day tour. “The performance side is in my family genes. And every day you are healthy is a good day. I am never going to stop looking around. Always look forward, never look back, and have no regrets.” Visit: https://www.wineoclocktours.ca