Posts Tagged ‘John van de Ruit’

The Making of Spud (Book)

Friday, November 19th, 2010

When I heard John van de Ruit and Ross Garland were writing a book about The Making of Spud the Movie I was sceptical. Could they just be jumping on the financial bandwagon? Although financial success is the drive behind every product, this book is a real page turner for fans of film.

It illustrates the epic journey from book to screen, throwing in funny moments and great struggles. Van de Ruit and Garland take turns in telling the story, formatted in a similar style to the best selling Spud series.

From finding out what Spud was really about, to finding key players, everything you need to know is in this book. One of the most interesting aspects for me was reading about the struggle to find an international actor to play the Guv and all the different possibilities they considered.

Filled with stunning high quality behind the scenes pictures, quotes and stories, this is a must read for any movie buff or Spud obsessed nut. Get your copy at leading retailers today.

Side note: This book must have one of the longest full titles ever: The Making of Spud The Movie and how a wickedly splendid plan came together.

John talks about the book in my interview with him:

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World premiere of Spud set

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

SPUD will be rolling out its world premieres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban this November according to the following press release we received today.

John Cleese, lead actor, Troye Sivan and the Crazy 8, local cast and crew as well as the author, John van de Ruit will kick off in Johannesburg on the 13th November. Cape Town will follow on Wednesday, 17th November and the final premiere will take place in the hometown of both the book and most of the filming – Durban – on Friday, 19th November with various cast and crew in attendance.

MTN South Africa has once again made these events possible through their commitment to the local entertainment industry.

“MTN is proud to be associated with these prestigious South African events. We are passionate about supporting South African talent, and SPUD gives us another opportunity to do so.” says Megan Ashman, General Manager at MTN.

SPUD takes place in South Africa during the early 1990s and chronicles John “Spud” Milton’s first year at an elite, boys-only private school. Cursed with parents from well beyond the lunatic fringe, a senile granny, and a dormitory full of strange characters, Spud has to forge a new life for himself in this foreign and sometimes hostile environment. Surrounded by names such as Gecko, Rambo, Rain Man and Mad Dog, Spud takes his first tentative steps along the path towards manhood. Armed with only his wits and his diary, Spud takes us from illegal night swimming to the cricket field, from ghost busting to teacher baiting. He also invites us into the mind of a boy struggling to come to terms with a strange new world; a boy whose eyes are being opened to love, friendship and complete insanity.

Production of the film got underway at Michaelhouse in the KZN Midlands earlier this year and features some of SA’s leading talent including Troye Sivan as Spud, model and actress Tanit Phoenix as Eve, stage and screen star Jason Cope as the vindictive housemaster Sparerib and veteran British star John Cleese as The Guv.

“With only days left to signing off on the completion of the film, we’re looking forward to turning our attention to the premieres, which are building up to be quite epic.” comments producer Ross Garland.

SPUD is produced by Rogue Star Films and BLM Productions and will be released at cinemas nationwide on 3 December 2010 by Nu Metro Films.

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Spud (Novel)

Friday, June 6th, 2008

SpudSpud is the first novel by South African Author, actor and playwright John van de Ruit.

Set in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. Spud is the dairy of a 13 year old South African boy; John Howard Milton (nicknamed ‘Spud’ because his ‘ahem’ haven’t yet dropped). The book follows his zany family and his life as he starts out at a prestigious private boarding school.

His dormitory, nicknamed the crazy eight consists of Robert Black – ‘Rambo’, the (self-appointed) leader of the Crazy Eight. Henry Barker – ‘Gecko’ – A pale boy who is incessantly falling ill. Vern Blackadder – ‘Rain Man’ – Spud’s deranged cubicle mate. Fatty - known for his excessive flatulence. Simon – jock and cricket star. Charlie Hooper – ‘Mad Dog’ – a fierce and ruthless thug-like boy, named because of his hunting habits and Alan Greenstein -’Boggo’ – a perverted boy who has a liking for porn and named because he is always going to the lavatories (the bogs) for unmentionable reasons.

More importantly the book takes what we all love and hate about high school and boarding and narrates the process is the most hysterical ways. I found myself laughing out loud in public as people walked by giving me the sideways glance.  The book is so easy to read, anybody can read it, you, your parents, and your grandparents. It will have you all laughing. It has an almost addictive feeling, you want to know what happens next, and the book leaves you panting for more.

The book will throw you through the roller coaster that is boarding school, make you laugh, cry, hope and see the world through thirteen year old eyes again. A must BUY – never mind read.

The book is already the highest selling book of all time in South Africa and was released late in 2007 in the states. A movie has also been put into production and is scheduled for a 2010 release.

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