J. Rupert Thompson (born July 14, 1964), is a director and producer of

reality television Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...

. His credits include ''

Fear Factor ''Fear Factor'' is an American stunt/ dare game show that first aired on NBC from 2001 to 2006 and was initially hosted by comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan. The show was adapted by Endemol USA from the original Dutch series titled ''Now ...

'', ''

Wipeout __NOTOC__ Wipe out or wipeout may refer to: Media Music * "Wipe Out" (instrumental), a 1963 hit surf-rock song by The Surfaris ** ''Wipe Out'' (album), the 1963 album containing the song Television * ''Wipeout'' (1988 game show), an American t ...

'', '' Kid Nation'', '' American Gladiators'', ''

America's Next Top Model ''America's Next Top Model'' (abbreviated ''ANTM'' and ''Top Model'') is an American reality television series and interactive competition in which a number of aspiring models compete for the title of "America's Next Top Model" and a chance to ...

'', and ''

Estate of Panic ''Estate of Panic'' is an American reality competition show in which seven strangers compete to find cash in a large estate. The show is hosted by Steve Valentine, and produced by Endemol USA. The first and only season aired on the Sci-Fi Chan ...

''. He is often credited for using intensive camera work in various formats of reality television, and utilizing a huge number of cameras. Thompson won the Directors Guild of America Award 2005 as Best Director - Reality Programs for Outstanding Direction in a

Reality Series Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...

for the premiere of ''Fear Factor'', Season 6. Thompson started his career as an electrician on horror films such as ''

A Nightmare on Elm Street ''A Nightmare on Elm Street'' is a 1984 American Supernatural horror film, supernatural slasher film written and directed by Wes Craven and produced by Robert Shaye. It is the first installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street (franchise), ''A ...

'' and ''

The Blob ''The Blob'' is a 1958 American science fiction horror film directed by Irvin Yeaworth, and written by Kay Linaker and Theodore Simonson. It stars Steve McQueen (in his first feature film leading role) and Aneta Corsaut and co-stars Earl Rowe ...

''. He then became a freelance Director/Cameraman and shot segments for many clients, including the second season of MTV's ''

The Real World Real World or The Real World may also refer to: * Real life, a phrase to distinguish between the real world and fictional, virtual or idealized worlds Television * ''The Real World'' (TV series), 1992–2017 * "The Real World" (''Stargate Atla ...

'' based in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the wor ...

. Thompson was a partner at Evolution Film and Tape for ten years, from 1992 to 2002, where he created the popular children's television series ''

Bug Juice ''Bug Juice'' is a Disney Channel reality series that premiered on February 28, 1998. The series focuses around 20 kids and their experiences at summer camp. Together, the kids work hard to excel in their activities and become friends. The ph ...

'' with his partner Douglas Ross for Disney Channel. Thompson currently resides in

California California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the ...

with his wife Laura and son Cassiel.

References

Variety Magazine

External links

*
IMDB.com entry for J. Rupert Thompson

DGA Awards Rupert for Reality TV Direction

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, J. Rupert American television directors 1964 births Living people Directors Guild of America Award winners