Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan McCrory.
Hi Ryan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
My story starts here in Memphis, Tennessee where I was born and raised. Throughout my life, I’ve dabbled in many different creative fields and met some amazing people that have inspired me to follow my passions.
However, I think a year that really changed the story for me and is relevant to what I’m talking about here is 2018. I was lacking direction on what my next steps in life would be and experiencing a bit of post-graduation depression. So I decided to take some agency over my life and moved back to Memphis from my college town, was sober for the entire year, started writing screenplays, and began studying martial arts.
Throughout 2018 and 2019, I got plugged into the Memphis independent film scene to try and get into film acting as most of my experience at this time was in theatre. Seeing all these filmmakers opened my eyes to the process and after watching them I decided one day, I think I can do that too. Fast forward to 2020 and I founded Blue Lion Pictures, my own independent film company, to combine my two loves: Film and martial arts.
Since then we’ve produced four short films and independently I’ve been a producer on several other local Memphis films. A future goal of mine is to produce a Blue Lion Pictures’ feature length film. Other hats I’ve tried on during this time have been directing, writing, and stunt coordinating.
What I’ve learned while pursuing a career in acting and filmmaking is this: Life, like any good film, is collaborative and none of the things I’ve just listed would have been possible without people sharing their time, knowledge, and energy with me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s had its ups and downs but I think when you’re doing something you love it still feels better being stressed and following your dreams than content with something you’re uninterested in.
Two big hurdles I try to keep in check are money and time management. When you start producing your own content it becomes a second job that doesn’t pay you in the beginning and you’re constantly trying to schedule it around the things that do pay to keep the lights on. I would recommend to anyone to put your dreams first but remember what funds those dreams.
Also your health is an important thing to prioritize. Sometimes a busy schedule can cause you to get less sleep or slack on your workouts and diet which I have definitely been a victim of due to my eagerness to say yes to everything. Recently I’ve been trying to take care of myself just as much as I am trying to nurture my film career.
Whenever I’m faced with new obstacles, I try to think of it as leveling up in a video game and the game is telling me I have to improve to continue. Mindset is key to consistency and it helps when you make it fun!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an actor with experience on stage and in film, I’m a martial artist that’s been studying Northern Shaolin Kung Fu for the last three years, and I also write, direct, and produce my own short films.
I think when anyone makes art they can’t help but be a part of it. You leave a unique fingerprint on every project you work on because no one else has your same exact life experiences. Every book I’ve read, movie I’ve watched, song I’ve heard, place I’ve gone, or person I’ve talked to has had an influence on me.
One of our most recent films that I think is a good example of different aspects of my experiences reflected in a story is ‘Shaolin Blues’. ‘Shaolin Blues’ is a Kung Fu Action film set in modern-day Memphis and features a lot of local martial artists from the Bei Shaolin Kung Fu Institute. The story follows Cal Turner, an unreliable martial artist, who is attempting to salvage his relationship when he gets caught up in a conflict with Memphis‘s number one gang. He must remember his uncle’s teachings if he hopes to make it out of this alive. If you’re interested in watching the film it’s available to view on the Blue Lion Pictures YouTube channel and is currently circulating the film festival market. So keep an eye on our socials to see what town it will screen in next!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I stopped letting myself be afraid of being a beginner. Fear of failure or being “bad” at something holds so many people back from even starting something they want to do. I know this because I’ve been guilty of it many times in my life.
So from now on I’ll always choose action over inaction. I think actually doing things is the secret to accomplishing anything. Just start and figure it out on the way. I promise you that if you have a positive attitude and are consistent in your actions, nothing will keep you from your goals.
Contact Info:
- Email: bluelionpictures2020@
gmail.com - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/ ryanthomasmccrory/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/ RyanThomasMcCrory/ - Twitter: https://twitter.com/
bluelionpicture - Youtube: https://www.youtube.
com/bluelionpictures
