Ryan’s latest project is based on his critically acclaimed feature film, The Magician, created during his final year of an Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media at RMIT.
After completing his studies, Ryan entered The Magician in the St Kilda Film Festival where it caught the attention of Nash Edgerton and was subsequently released across Australia and the UK.
Edgerton and Ryan have teamed up again with this year’s release of Mr InBetween at the Sundance Film Festival.
Sundance is one of the most notable film festivals for independent filmmakers around the world, so to premiere at the event is a real badge of honour that has international significance.
Critics have agreed that Ryan shines in his on-screen role as lead character “Ray Shoesmith”, sharing Australian humour effortlessly with an international audience.
Screen production teacher Janis Lesinskis said Ryan had come a long way from his days at RMIT, with the original cast consisting of fellow RMIT students Kane Mason, Massimiliano Andrighetto and Ben Walker; and only $2,000 for production.
“Despite the low budget and modest standard definition video equipment available at the time, Ryan made ingenious use of production limitations in styling his unique mockumentary film,” Lesinskis said.
“He is a shining example of what is possible when you are given the opportunities to test the boundaries of film production while you’re studying.”
At the time of The Magician’s initial release, Ryan famously said it didn’t matter whether a film was made on a shoestring or with a bit more money as long as the characters and the dialogue were great.
In fact, much of the dialogue in The Magician was improvised, resulting in convincing performances and a naturalistic sense of humour.
“What an outstanding display of the positive impact 'learning by doing' continues to have in our screen production program at RMIT,” Lesinskis said.
Mr Inbetween will air on Foxtel in 2018.
Story: Shelley Brady
