Robert Herman

Founder / EP

Ruffian

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Robert is the founder of Ruffian, a Los Angeles-based multi-discipline studio. Embracing talent from all over the world, Ruffian’s international perspective and network of alliances afford the local market greater creative opportunities and diversity.

Robert has had significant involvement in film, animation, art, new media, and gaming throughout his career, producing award-winning campaigns for Adidas, Halo5, Nike, Apple, and many more. Prior to Ruffian, he co-founded Stink and spent 16 years at the helm, growing it into a global network with clients across advertising, entertainment, music, and the arts.

Robert has also executive produced feature films including Lilting, directed by Hong Khao, which won Best Cinematography at Sundance Film Festival, and King Jack, directed by Felix Thompson, which was awarded the coveted audience prize at TriBeCa Film Festival.

Robert Herman
I was born in….
London

I now live in…
Los Angeles

But if I could live anywhere, it would be…
Wandering between cities

Right now, I’m binge-watching…
We are Who we are, on HBO

The last track I listened to was…
Bela Lugosi’s Dead / Bauhaus

I dream about…
Chocolate

The app I couldn’t survive without is…
FaceTime (or zoom or whatever).

Social media is…
Time consuming

When we can travel again, I’ll be heading to…
London (haven’t seen my kids for a year).

The most important lesson I’ve learned in 2020…
We don’t earn privilege but should do what we can to share it.

The best/worst thing about lockdown was…
Best: Spending time at home
Worst: Spending too much time at home


What the film industry needs is…
Make braver choices and be more inclusive.

What I wish I’d known when I was starting my career…
Learn from craftsmen/women.

The best advice I’ve ever been given…
Engage brain before opening mouth.

The film I wish I’d made…
Anything by Jacques Audiard

My biggest inspiration is…
Visionaries, people who can make the ordinary, extraordinary.

The person I would canonise is…
My wife

If I wasn’t... I’d be…
If I wasn’t English, I’d be European.

My last meal would be…
White truffle pasta

My life philosophy in three words…
Find the positive