B Smith's Second Sticks- Charlie Ruffner

In the midst of the collective uncertainty and re-invention of what is currently the non-scripted Industry, you could be forgiven if you are contemplating a future different from what you had envisioned. Some of you might even be thinking about whether you are closer to retirement than you imagined. I'll be honest, I've thought about retirement more the past year than I have collectively throughout my entire career. Do we even understand what it means to retire, and how to go about it? B Smith's Second Sticks has a great conversation with Charlie Ruffner, longtime Local 80 grip who decided to retire this year. Although he could have kept working, Charlie decided that it was time to invest himself in his life with his wife. We talk about that decision and the involved process of filing for retirement with MPIPH, as well as Charlie's career, which started at the CBS grip rental house at CBS Television City and evolved into many years as an on-set grip on such shows as Seinfeld and Will and Grace. Charlie understands how fortunate he is to have worked so long in an industry that is now evolving into something drastically different, and has the requisite appreciation and gravitas one can develop over time (if things break right, and they did for Charlie). We recount his never having to leave town to work for 26 years, sleeping in his own bed every night, until his late foray into the non-scripted world. We also chat about our dogs, and about the magnanimous nature of Ru Paul Charles. A lot is covered, and we hope it's a fitting send-off for an amazing career (and a new chapter)!

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