In my opinion, it is a huge loss to the horror film industry
and all of the fans that Hollywood holds the reigns tight on what will be mass
produced and mass distributed. Often,
because of this, we get the same story from the same directors, starring the
same actors time and time again. We the
fans miss so much great talent that is out there because it is so hard for
someone without the right connections to break through all of the clutter out
there and let their talent shine.
Perhaps one of the best examples I can think of that demonstrates this
problem is Erin R. Ryan.
Erin Ryan is an independent film actress from Dayton,
Ohio. She works harder than many
Hollywood “celebrities” and does so with amazing poise and talent. She demonstrates a range of skill in her
acting that could fit in to almost any type of movie. Her characters are always full of heart and
really feel alive. In just the last two
years, she has starred in such films as Bludgen,
Easter Casket, Babysitter Massacre, Hellhounds,
Skinless, A Bulldog for Christmas, Kill
That Bitch, and Haunted House on
Sorority Row. She also appeared in
one of the shorts in the anthology Watch
This. Amidst all of this hard work
and dedication, Erin, or Err as she is known to her friends, keeps an amazingly
positive and friendly attitude. I had
the pleasure of talking with Erin following the world premiere of Haunted House on Sorority Row. After my interview, I believe I realized that
perhaps what makes Erin Ryan such a fantastic horror actress is that deep down,
she is a fan just like the rest of us!
Ira Gansler: You’ve
definitely shown through your work that you are a very talented and diverse
actress, ranging from horror to family films to the Shakespeare in South
Park. So what has been your favorite
project to date?
Erin Ryan: There are
so many different projects I’ve done and like you said it’s been very versatile. It’s really hard to choose. You almost have to have subcategories. I’m going to pick two. I really enjoyed Haunted House on Sorority Row because it was supernatural in nature
and it’s something I’ve never done before.
It was really cool to see how much of the production Henrique could do
on such a low budget. Supernatural
effects are usually pretty expensive so it was really cool to see that and
there is really a lot of different film making going on there. It was neat to be in a supernatural movie
compared to what I have mainly done, which has been slashers or that family
film. Also, I’m going to say Skinless. That is a passion project of mine that had
been in the works for a year and a half.
Dustin Mills had been through a lot of script re-writing to make the
characters really rich in that. I love
the interaction between the two main characters. It had a very small cast of four characters,
but it had a big emotional impact that I hope the audience got from that. I hope they came away with the thought that “wow,
that was a really deep story out a seemingly funny concept.” I think those would be my two favorites so
far.
IG: It’s interesting
with all that you have done that the horror seems to rise to the top. So what draws you to horror?
ER: That’s a deep
question for me. I’ve always liked the macabre. Ever since I was little. My favorite movie was Beetleguise when I was younger, and it still is one of my top five
favorite movies. I’m going to go a
little personal with you here. I come
from a very old family and I experienced a lot of death as a child. Going to funerals and experiencing that. Horror, movies like Beetleguise and Witches of
Eastwick and all those good ones sort of treat the macabre and horror as
kind of funny. There is an element of
humor to it. I am really drawn to
that. Humor and horror is my favorite. It’s also nice to see that you are not alone
when there is really dark films out there dealing with really dark emotions,
dark themes, and fear. It’s really nice
to be able to see someone make something beautiful like a film or a piece of
art out of those dark feelings and that really inspires me.
IG: So what it your
earliest horror movie memory?
ER: Actual
horror? I want to say Nightmare on Elm Street, the
original. I’m still a fan of those for
obvious reasons. I remember watching
that when I was way too young. Way too
young! Those always hold a special place
in my heart.
IG: Again, another fan
boy moment here. You’re obviously extremely
driven. Appearing and most of the time
starring in at least 10 features in the last two years. What is your inspiration to push yourself so
hard?
ER: Honestly, I just
love working. I love doing what I
do. It’s my favorite thing to do. I love making art and I love being a part of
somebody’s vision. There is nothing else
like it. Acting is my passion and it’s
what I love to do. It helps me deal with
a lot of other things going on in my life.
It’s an emotional outlet for me and I think it really helps. I’ve always wanted to do it. It’s always been a goal of mine. It’s like an addiction. The more I do, the more I want to do.
IG: I think anyone
with an artistic outlet tends to feel that way, that it provides a release of
sorts. I think this is going to be
another one that you have split opinions on, but what is the most fun you have
had on a set?
ER: There is fun of
all kinds, sir! I always have a lot of
fun on a Henrique Couto set. He is a big
personality and he makes filming a lot of fun even in the most difficult
emotional moments. Our way of breaking
it up and kind of dissipating the crazy is to kind of maim each other
emotionally. We are always insulting
each other. So that’s kind of fun,
coming up with different ways to insult each other every minute. That’s every Couto set. So that’s always fun. I like to tell the story and embarrass
myself, to rat myself out. I don’t know
why, but I do. I had a lot of fun making
a terrible mistake on set. On Babysitter Massacre there is a scene
where I put lingerie on, my character does, and I may or may have not put it on
backwards and upside down. I’m just
saying, see the movie. So during the
take, Henrique is just like “you know what, just relax. You’re going to be ok.” So that was a lot of fun. I got made fun of about that forever. It is a set by set basis. Every set is different. Every director is different. Everyone has a different sense of humor.
IG: I always love the
stories, those are great. All that you
have done and all that you obviously hope to do in the future, if you could
play any character from any source, what would be your dream role?
ER: This is going to
sound really weird, but I would love to play Karen Carpenter. I would legitimately love to play Karen
Carpenter or Audrey Hepburn. Both
beautiful. Karen Carpenter because of
both the talent and the sadness. She had
a lot of sadness and a lot of heart. I
think it would be a really challenging role, but I would love to play her. Audrey Hepburn because she is adorable and
fun and everyone loves Audrey.
IG: Just from looking
at some of your Facebook stuff, IMDB, and other sources, your artistic
background has included not only acting, but also literature, painting, and
ballet. Do you still involve yourself
with any of those passions?
ER: I do. I haven’t been in ballet, ashamedly, in about
a year. I’m getting very lumpy, but I
love ballet. I’ve taken it only for a
few years actually. I really got into it
for a few years. I try to do what I
remember on my own. Like at the gym or
whatnot. On the track, I’ll be running
and suddenly I’ll plié or something. I’ve
had that happen sometimes. I’m goofy
that way. I haven’t painted in a very
long time. I haven’t found the time to
do that. My face is always in a script. Reading. I used to write poetry a lot, but I haven’t
done that in a while. I have been
reading Jurassic Park lately, I’ve
been wanting to read it for years and years and years. I have a fascination with dinosaurs and other
prehistoric creatures also. When I was
little, I wanted to be a paleontologist.
Fun fact.
IG: I’m assuming you’ve
seen the movie?
ER: A little. Just kidding, I’ve seen it several
times. I have it on Blu-ray. I saw it in 3D when it came out, that was
amazing.
IG: Beware the
comparisons, that’s all I’ll say there.
As a huge book to movie person.
ER: That’s what I
hear.
IG: Side note
there. Ok, I’m going to be honest. I went back and forth on whether or not to
ask you this question. If you want to
pass, that’s completely fine, because I know you probably get this question all
the time. Dustin said he does all the
time. On screen, we can see you are not
only extremely talented but a very beautiful person as well. So, as such, you have been in quite a few
movies, especially being in so much horror that involves quite a bit of
nudity. What’s your view on nudity in
movies, especially in horror where it almost seems to be a staple of the genre?
ER: You’re absolutely
right, it is. I really don’t have a
problem with it. The human body is the
human body. I want the nudity that I do
to make sense in a film. Now, if it’s a
B horror fun movie like Babysitter
Massacre you’re going to have the three B’s blood, boobs, and beasts. It’s just a staple, like you said. I have no problem doing that. I was proud.
It was like, hey I’m in a B movie and I’m naked, it’s fine. It’s all good. Like I said, if it makes sense in a role, I
have no problem with that. I do get a
lot of guff for it. I think a lot of us
girls get a lot of guff for it. I think
people make assumptions about you if you don’t understand the genre. People make a lot of assumptions and that’s
not fun. I find it horrifying that
America is so puritanical that they are so okay with someone being tortured or
violence in general, but they’re not okay with nudity. I think that is really backwards.
IG: In your opinion,
what is horror?
ER: Oh my God, you’re
killing me! Ha ha, horror, you’re
killing me!
IG: Let me rephrase
this maybe. Someone says to you. We are going to see a film, it is
horror. That’s all they tell you. What are you anticipating?
ER: I’m anticipating…this
is going to be a stream of consciousness.
I’m thinking fear. I’m thinking
loathing. I’m thinking suspense. I thinking passion. I’m thinking terror. I’m thinking relatable. I’m thinking, oh, it’s going to be a good
film then!
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