Patrick Ryan and Tristan Rudat recently stopped by New England Tech for a visit. Both had
graduated in 1995 with a degree in Video and Radio Production Technology (VRP). While students, they were both tour guides for the college and were well liked by faculty and staff. Throughout their degree program, it was unusual to see one without the other and very often with another friend, Tony Giusti. It was fun to catch up with Patrick and Tristan about what they have been doing professionally, and to find that their friendship has endured over the years.

Patrick, left, and Tristan kid around for the camera.

Patrick remembers that on his first day of class at New England Tech, October 4, 1993, he met the people who would become his great friends. "We all met in Com 110 under the awesome instruction of our "video parents," instructors Tom Strolla and Sally Kingsbury. The circle of friends included Tristan, Tony, Matt Morin and Bob Demello.

While at NEIT, Patrick, Tristan, Tony and Matt started a band called 151 and played locally, including at Club Babyhead. Upon graduation, Patrick and Tristan left the area. Patrick headed to California to pursue a bachelor's degree in film at California State University Northridge, and Tristan went to Austin, Texas because he had heard great things about the area's music industry as well as the opportunities for video production. Both went to their new destinations feeling the loss of their tight knit group.

A couple of years later, Tristan, Patrick and Tony were together again, this time in Austin. Patrick had finished his degree in film as well as four student films and work he had done as a student with Quantum Television. Tristan was enjoying Austin and doing some production work. Their band 151 was making music again with the addition of a new person on drums.

Tristan said their big break came shortly thereafter. "We directed and produced the opening sequence for a brand new show for ESPN/ESPN 2 called X2day. It was based on the culture and lifestyle of X Game athletes. The opening featured our music video and song from 151's 'Extreme,' a song we wrote right after graduation from NEIT." In the years that followed they shot, edited and directed many other videos in the corporate, educational and sports fields.

Tristan's accomplishments include winning two Sports Emmy's for his part as a cameraman in ESPN's X Games, a job he took after seeing the posting at NEIT. He started as a production assistant in 1995 and worked his way up to cameraman in three years. He, Patrick and Tony won many awards for various projects they did in Austin. "My two highlights were directing and starring in the 35 mm music video for 151's 'Same Old,' and making a record with recording engineer, Steve Albini. Albini has recorded everyone from Led Zepplin and Cheap Trick to Nirvana and Bush. I also had a chance to work with Peter Yarrow from Peter, Paul and Mary. I became good friends with Peter as we spent many, many hours working closely on his video, 'Don't Laugh at Me.' We won many awards for this video. The National Education Council has included the video in curriculum used in middle and high schools, and the Special Olympics has used portions of the video for fund raising and Public Service Announcements. Last summer, the video won Best Education Film at the Rocky Mountain Film Festival."

Patrick's highlights include the work he and Tristan did for ESPN as well as the camera work he did for Pro Vert BMX rider, Mat Hofman's C.F.B. series for ESPN 2. The show featured a segment with Mat Hofman and Evil Kneivel. His resume also includes shooting and lighting for over 50 Time Warner Communications commercials; video work for Granite House Inc., which included the Home & Garden Show's "Dream House"; various live band photography and teleprompter work for then Governor George W. Bush.

Tristan and Patrick have moved back to Massachusetts because of their wish to be closer to their families. Tony stayed in Texas and is the head audio/visual person at a large Austin hotel/conference center. Only back a couple of weeks, Tristan and Patrick are shooting a music video in New York through their production company title, WBA Film & Video, for the Chicago-based band Pigface. Nothing but the setting has changed for them. According to Tristan, "We are still making music, videos and films, and are still best friends."