Ruben Fleischer (born October 31, 1974) is an American film director, advertisement/copy writer, and music video director. He is currently based in Los Angeles. He is best known as the director of the critically acclaimed and financially successful Zombieland, his first feature film. He followed it by making 30 Minutes or Less, which opened to mixed reviews. Prior to directing feature films, Fleischer was a prolific director of television commercials and music videos, working for such brands as the Cisco, Eurostar, ESPN, and Burger King, as well as such artists as M.I.A., Electric Six, DJ Format, and Gold Chains. Ruben Fleischer was raised in Washington, D.C. After graduating in history from Wesleyan University "(where he didn’t enroll in the school’s prestigious film program), Fleischer moved to San Francisco, unsure of what he wanted to do with his life." He found himself working as a freelance HTML programmer in San Francisco. Taking the advice of close friend Mike White (also a Wesleyan graduate), Fleischer worked as a PA in the writer’s office of Dawson’s Creek. He eventually turned to directing and worked his way through the industry, tackling music videos and television commercials before landing his first feature film, Zombieland, in 2009. His second feature film, 30 Minutes or Less, opened in theaters on August 12, 2011. Fleischer’s latest film project is Gangster Squad, an upcoming crime drama film based on the special tactical group created by the LAPD to combat the Los Angeles crime family. Set to begin principle filming in September, 2011, the announced cast includes Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, Emma Stone, Josh Brolin, Giovanni Ribisi, Anthony Mackie, Michael Peņa, and Holt McCallany.