About the Show
What is “The Skittles Room”?
IN CHESS JARGON, the term “Skittles” refers to a casual game played “for fun,” most often without a clock, between matches, and with no consequence to a player’s record or rating.
At chess tournaments, a skittles room is where one goes to play skittles games.
The TELEVISION PRODUCTION “The Skittles Room,” is a reality-based program 1 hour in broadcast length which educates and entertains viewers of all ages regarding the subject, history, wisdom, and stories of ordinary and sometimes extraordinary people whose lives have been enhanced by the great game of chess.
Objective:
To illustrate the positive effects chess participation has in the everyday lives of children and adults facing a variety of challenges.
To enhance the viewer’s understanding of chess history and theory while also illustrating how these skills can be practically applied to other aspects of life.
To document and track the progress of the program’s two hosts, both of whom are chess novices, as they apply their chess experiences and increasing understanding of the game towards the betterment and achievement of their own respective goals.
Show Cast/Crew Bios
R.V. Romero (Host)
R.V. Romero- is the Artistic Director of Finis Productions and the co-host and co-creator of "The Skittles Room". As a writer and director, R.V. achieved “almost semi-famous” status in Phoenix for his role in Reuben Romero’s Out & About, a now defunct radio-theater program which featured his considerable talents and braggadocio for seventy-plus original episodes.
He has authored a number of screenplays which have not been produced, fiction which has yet to be published, the LA Music Award winning documentary A Critical Mass, and the play The Best Men (which won honorable mention in the Scottsdale Tribune for Best New Play of 2001). R.V. has worked as an illustrator (Don’t Be A Chicken, the Out and About website), public speaker, entertainer, musician, health care activist, humorist, and chess ambassador.
He was introduced to the royal game at a young age by his grandfather, who passed away shortly thereafter. Throughout life, R.V. enjoyed playing chess equipped with nothing more than basic knowledge of the moves; however, in 2008 (inspired by a string of late-night losses to a bitter rival), he decided to learn more about the game he always knew but never understood. This began what some could describe as “a healthy obsession with the art of chess,” a frenzy of which The Skittles Room is the latest example. R.V. looks forward to learning more about the sport he loves while also spreading the goodwill of the game throughout the globe in a provocative and upbeat way. The Skittles Room will document this process, as well as his progress as an aspiring artist and chess player.
Recently, R.V. has become an official USCF member, where his rating is drastically lower than his ability. He is the recipient of the “Most Experience Gained Medal” for the AZ Chess Central 2008 Back to School Regional Tournament, as well as the winner of four or more consecutive games against Danen Downs on any number of occasions.
Danen Downs (Co-Host)
Danen Downs is a 30-year-old native of Phoenix, Arizona. He graduated from Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona in 1996, and received a B.A. in International Relations from Stanford University in 2001.
For Downs, “The Skittles Room” resurrected a chess career that began auspiciously enough at the age of 12-years-old at the National Elementary Championships in Tempe, Arizona. At the end of this first-ever tournament Downs’ had an impressive unofficial USCF rating of 1483. However, for no apparent reason, this tournament was also his last and Downs’ did not play chess again until August 2008. Downs is currently a proud USCF member with a rating (rising!) of 1039.
Richard Romero Sr. (Executive Producer)
For 28 years, Richard has been an active audio/visual producer. In 1977 he created and founded his production company (RVR Productions) and has produced a diversity of media productions. Richard has written, produced, directed and photographed film/video presentations for major fortune 500 companies, small businesses, symphony orchestras, civic groups, educational and governmental agencies, as well as community and professional theater companies.
In 2001, Richard and his two sons, Richard Jr. and Cristofer, founded Finis Productions.
Cris Romero (Producer)
Born in Scottsdale, AZ in 1982, Cristofer has been active in stage, video, computer, and sound production his entire life. After working on many video and recording projects with his Brother R.V. Romero, Cristofer made his official “debut” as an executive producer at the age of nineteen when he produced, stage managed, and designed the sound, sound recordings, and lighting for Finis Production’s original feature play, “The Best Men.” Cristofer also produced and edited the subsequent video presentation of “Best Men,” as well as a number of independent video productions where his roles expanded into those of videographer and editor.
Other creative projects Cristofer has produced, shot, and edited on video include “Provocation,” (2003) “Used to Be,” music video (2003) “A Critical Mass,” (2005) “Release the Fear,” “The Shadow and the Mirror,” (2005), Jim Covarrubias Live at the West Valley Art Museum (2005), Strange Condition Live DvD (2006), Don't be a Chicken (2006), Miracle Mist Plus Promotional Video (2007), Estil Wallace 'Ellusion' Music Video (2008), Elizabeth Kucinich Soutwest Tour and other production work for the Dennis Kucinich for President Campaign(2008), as well as numerous video and multimedia productions for local community organizations.
Cristofer has engineered and produced numerous Audio Books, Meditation and Relaxation CD's, Solo Performance Recordings, Live Musical Recordings, and various Musical Productions. His broadcasting experience includes Producing/Editing/Engineering of 50+ Episodes of 'Reuben Romero's Out & About',60+ Episodes of 'Exopolitics Radio with Alfred Webre, and numerous Live Broadcast Productions and commmercial spots for 1480 KPHX Phoenix.
As Producing Director of Finis Productions from 2005 - Present Cris's duties have included Audio Engineering, Mixing, Videography and Post Production, Digital Photography, Graphic and Web Design, Live Sound Reinforcement, and Stage Production. Currently he is also a Percussionist and Producer of The Estil Wallace Project, and as a violinist performing with the Scottsdale Community Orchestra.
A self proclaimed Chess Novice, Cristofer is excited and challenged to be Producing "The Skittles Room". He also acts as the webmaster and designer of this site.