OAKLAND MAGAZINE: December 1, 2010
Who: Jules Bruff, 37, a Montclair native living in Los Angeles
What: Bruff is a Hollywood actress who has worked in more than 40 commercials, network television shows and feature films including David Fincher’s Zodiac. She recently finished writing and producing an indie film on depression (in which she also acts) called Part Time Fabulous.
When: Bruff’s interest in acting started at 7 when her parents enrolled her in a class at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. She landed her first role at 11, playing Woodstock in the Julia Morgan theater production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. “I was just a bird, but that didn’t deter me,” says Bruff, who adds they probably gave her a part with no vocals because she couldn’t sing.
Where: Bruff went to elementary school at Joaquin Miller, Corpus Christi and Bishop O’Dowd, where she took honors English, which helped her develop writing and storytelling skills. “I’m an Oakland girl to the core and am somehow surviving and thriving in the concrete jungle of L.A.,” she says.
Why: Bruff is successful because she’s involved in a number of different projects.Her latest endeavor is probably closest to her heart. She made Part Time Fabulous to unveil the dark cloud that surrounds mental illness. “Growing up I felt I had it all together and then I got sick. My message to the community is don’t be ashamed of it … help is out there.”
How: Bruff feels unknown artists now have a chance to break into the business and have their work seen, appreciated and maybe even rewarded monetarily. “The entertainment industry is going through the kind of changes seen in the music industry,” she says, with the Internet being called “The Wild West” for film and television artists.
Ginny Prior 