He collaborated with Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Lady Gaga, Muse, DJ Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren and The Killers. Director Ruud Minten (63) from Valkenswaard traveled the world to make documentaries and programs and experienced them all up close.
Omroep Brabant spent several days in Valkenswaard to record special stories there. Ruud walked in out of curiosity. He grew up in Valkenswaard and left there at the age of eighteen. He talked about how he met the world stars.
Ruud’s childhood dream was to make films or television. He therefore started as a volunteer at Omroep Eindhoven. “I recommend that to anyone who wants to start in this profession.” He eventually ended up at Endemol and later worked for an events organization.
While we know the great artists of the screen, Ruud, as a director, ensured that they appeared on the screen. Like in 2012 with Bruce Springsteen. He followed Springsteen, along with a cameraman, at the Jazz & Heritage Festival in New Orleans. “We filmed them sitting in the dressing room or standing around before they went on. I interviewed him several times.”
“Bruce Springsteen was relaxed. He’s one of those guys who’s done enough. He’s friendly, but if I met him at the pizzeria the next day, he wouldn’t know who I am anymore. It’s all professional and friendly.”
“Of course, most people don’t feel like doing interviews, especially those very big stars.” Ruud thought something about that. For example, he knew that the bassist of the British rock band Muse liked to play football. “Then I compared the band to a football team. For example, the singer was the striker, then he went all out.”
He made a documentary with Lady Gaga. According to Ruud, she was extremely polite and nice, but the woman behind the scenes was different from the artist Lady Gaga. “As a Lady she walked differently. Then she straightened her body a little.”
But when the cameras weren’t rolling, she was different. “When her parents came, she said they were so clumsy. She then asked if I could wait for them outside and bring them inside.”
“It wasn’t arrogance, it was focus. Madonna didn’t want any distractions.”
He also went on tour with Madonna. “She had a kitchen crew that would make a star restaurant lick its fingers.”
His adventures with the stars provide a glimpse behind the scenes. “For example, we were not allowed to look at Madonna at certain times. When she walked to the stage, the security guards would come to us if we were watching. It was not arrogance, but focus. She didn’t want any distractions.”
He also worked with Dutch artists. With André van Duin for thirty years. He is now working on a new television program for 2027.
But after a life in the spotlight, it was time for Ruud to return to Valkenswaard. After he became ill, he said goodbye to the Randstad and a lot of traveling in 2023.
He saw how the village has changed in recent years. It is no longer the popular nightlife spot as he knew it. “Valkenswaard was known for that. It was really an entertainment village. During carnival it attracted a lot of people. That is completely over.”
He also sees that the village is aging enormously, the youth can no longer find a home in Valkenswaard. “Everywhere in the region I see that there are waiting lists for football, except in Valkenswaard. Then at some point your village is doomed.”
The story of
Would you like to share your story with us? That’s possible! Editors from Omroep Brabant were in the Market Pavilion in Valkenswaard last week.
You can still email us at [email protected] or call 040 – 294 94 92.
