Lights, camera, action!

 Couple achieve creative success through TV
 shows

 By Victoria Carlborg
 COMMUNITY NEWS WRITER
 San Diego Union-Tribune

 March 3, 2001

 OCEANSIDE -- Thomas and Patricia Del Ruth are celebrating two decades
 of marriage. While that may be remarkable enough, Patricia Del Ruth is
 almost as proud of her husband's creative accomplishments, especially his
 most recent one.

 Last month, Thomas Del Ruth was honored at the 15th annual American
 Society of Cinematographers awards. Out of six notable nominees, Thomas
 Del Ruth was recognized for his camera work as director of photography on
 NBC's television drama "The West Wing."

 Del Ruth had already won an Emmy Award for the show's pilot episode and
 other honors for his past work on "ER." But he said the ASC award means a
 lot more to him, even though the awards show was not televised.

 "For us, it's the highest honor because it's done exclusively by our peer
 group," Thomas Del Ruth said. "It really is a thrill just to be nominated."

 He has been nominated for ASC awards seven times and he has won four.

 "I am his biggest fan," Patricia Del Ruth said. "I love my husband so much,
 and I am in awe of how much talent he has."

 The 58-year-old cinematographer has worked on hundreds of projects for
 TV and film, including "The Breakfast Club," "The X-Files," "Simon and
 Simon," "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid."

 He remembers working as an uncredited assistant cameraman during his
 earlier days in the business. He was trained the hands-on way, just like his
 father, Roy Del Ruth, also a veteran cinematographer. And it's the same way
 that the Del Ruth's sons are learning the craft as filmloaders.

 Matthew, 23, works on the TV show "JAG" and Sean, 18, works with his
 dad on "The West Wing."

 Thomas Del Ruth said he is in awe of the wife's talents.

 Patricia Del Ruth met her husband on the set of a TV movie. She now spends
 her time teaching creativity classes and hosting her own show on KOCT,
 "Creative Cafe," spotlighting creative people and the creative process.

 She even had her husband on the show during its first season.

 The creative couple balance their work in front of and behind the camera by
 finding creative ways to communicate.

 Patricia Del Ruth maintains the family home in Oceanside while Thomas Del
 Ruth lives in Los Angeles during the week, where he spends an average of 14
 hours a day on the Warner Bros. Studios lot. He said a full day's work may
 entail capturing 30 camera shots, getting through five pages of dialogue and
 maybe five scenes. He enjoys getting the mood or an angle just right.

 Thomas Del Ruth's work brings a feature-film, realistic look to television, his
 wife said.

 Thomas Del Ruth isn't working on other projects now, since the TV show
 takes up almost 10 months of the year. And his work schedule doesn't leave
 him much time for a social life, he said. But he joins his wife every weekend.

 "I like North County. It's clean and uncongested," said Thomas Del Ruth,
 who grew up in the Los Angeles area.

 So he makes the hour-and-45-minute drive each Friday night to come home.
 It's a lifestyle choice he likes.

 "I don't think, 'Gee, I am all alone.' Patricia Del Ruth said, "I think of how
 lucky I am to be with a person who is making a difference artistically."

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