Life & Work with Shaun Rylee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaun Rylee.

Hi Shaun, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Somehow, I found my entertainment industry starts in infomercials, booking shows for touring bands and directing a few music videos. I’d never imagined my acting-obsessed, career-minded child self to ever take that route but there I was. I moved on to casting for television as an assistant and eventually sat down to start writing feature screenplays. Only during that process did I realize the changing industry and its opportunities to finally realistically be able to try pursuing post-university acting. My first audition landed me callbacks and an eventual role in a Japanese horror film. I did various things in film and television and found my way back to completing feature screenplays. As the industry roles began shifting, I realized I would have to write the roles I would like to act in and began filmmaking independently. You see, I did everything absolutely backwards in my path from child Shaun’s dreams.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Anyone who says their road in this industry has been a smooth one is incredibly fortunate. Smoothness depends on its context, of course, but I think it’s safe to say filmmaking in itself is never smooth. You should approach things in a flexible way so you keep moving forward. There have been struggles with being heard in the large sea of screenwriter voices and hurdles in filmmaking, whether it be the elements, others not putting in their 100%, unavoidable things happening to crew or equipment, all kinds of things. A distinct challenge has also been that of being a female in an industry where we are the minority. It has become more open to public conversation and how prevalent it is, something I hadn’t thought much about until recent years. It becomes a part of your story.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a filmmaker in various roles, Actress, Screenwriter, Director and Executive Producer. I also recently took on the Cinematographer and Editing roles in my current project because one should try to learn and understand a bit about every position. It truly helps you understand the work others put into their respective titles for the craft. If there’s one thing about me, I’ve always been incredibly ambitious. Not reaching my goals has never been an option. If I invest any energy at all, I’m all in.

What matters most to you?
Feeling completely fulfilled matters the most to me. I’m intuitive, I feel deeply, and when the energy of creative endeavors are put into the universe, my soul is invested in feeling whole. Creativity has been a huge part of my whole life and that’s how I know the true impact fulfillment has for me. It keeps me driven and it is when I feel the happiest.

Contact Info:

• Email: cinemadandan@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/shaunrylee

Image Credits:
All images are property of: Cinema Dandan LLC