Shaun Rylee’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

Shaun Rylee shared her story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Shaun, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
There’s this perception that filmmakers don’t really do anything if they aren’t making several films a year. This is especially true of how so many view independent filmmakers. The truth is, some of us take on multiple tasks on our projects. I’m not only the screenwriter, I am also doing the duties required of producing, directing and oftentimes, acting. When I am not actively filming something, I am writing or I am working on pre-production, which is the most underrated part of the entire process, in my opinion. It requires so much attention to detail to make sure you are set up for success and for people to want to work with you. If I have wrapped filming a project, I’m editing or delegating post-production processes and making sure they align with my vision as a director. When I’m also acting in a project of mine or someone else’s, I am doing character-study, memorising lines and continued actor training. The duties never end. I love all of it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Bonjour, my name is Shaun Rylee and I am a visionary idealist residing on the French Riviera, between Cannes and Monaco, formerly based in Las Vegas. I realised when I first got into this industry that I needed to be in control of my own career. To create projects that I feel would resonate and should be seen, and to fulfill the perfectionist I had been for so long, I had to learn as much as I could so I could become a multi-hyphenate and maintain artistic control of my projects, as well as the trajectory of my career. Living abroad has also been a whole new world for me to explore, both environmentally, creatively and from the business perspective. This is always where I wanted to be and here I am.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The concept of interpersonal relationships and how they shape our identities and how we interact with people on a larger scale has always been of interest to me and my creative endeavors as well, so I enjoy this question. I am a constant observer from the very first impression. Multiple things break even the strongest of bonds. Initiative, communication, consistency and vulnerability are essential to building any kind of relationship. When those things aren’t fully incorporated, it leads to a lack of trust and faith in fully realising the potential of getting to know and maintain a friendship or partnership. People underestimate these concepts and then wonder why the other person reacts the way they do. No one wants to feel disrespected or undervalued. It really comes down to the bare minimum. Making someone feel respected and valued isn’t really difficult, but you must do the inner work to prevent past patterns of negative behavior from carrying over into how you interact and build with anyone going forward. Bonds can be restored when both people are committed to committing to the relationship or friendship, starting on a new slate and saying hey, I value you and what we’ve had, lets start from a new place and be authentic in this. Really learn the importance and art of communication, be consistent in showing up, and don’t be afraid of being open and vulnerable.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Your happiness comes first. People-pleasing and making sure everyone else is content was always important to me because I don’t like seeing others feel disappointed or sad or any other negative feeling. Because I always felt like it somehow stemmed from me. I have since learned it is okay to say no, when I am feeling overburdened with tasks and cannot help someone else with theirs. Admittedly, this particular thing is still challenging for me sometimes. I want to be helpful, but the truth is, I have so many things I need to do for myself and I don’t ask for help. So to feel like I need to help everyone else doesn’t even make sense, coming from this place of being so self-sufficient myself. I have had big dreams and things I’ve wanted to experience in this world as far back as I can remember and in order to do it all, I need to show up for myself. This doesn’t mean I don’t show up for everyone else I value in my life, but it is also important to make sure I take care of me too.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. Anything I say in interviews, Q&As, put on social media, etcetera is me. My interactions at events or with strangers on the street are authentically me. I don’t rely on a false image of who I am. My work and character speak for themselves. I don’t create content. I throw my energy and self into my art, as opposed to making sure my social media projects a façade that I could not personally keep up with. I should maybe do proper photoshoots or something, as opposed to blurry selfies or basic graphics, but quite honestly, I admire being in a moment as opposed to setting up a scenario, if that makes sense. Everyone is free to do what they prefer but that’s just more than I personally have time or energy for. I mean, I have at least tried to learn a little bit about lighting because that also helps with my career and I did recently, finally get a new phone. I have to practice what I preach about authenticity.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If immortality were real, what would you build?
These are great questions! I’d find a way to immerse myself in animal and environmental conservation through sanctuaries and sustainable community-building. By saying I’d find a way, I mean I would find financial channels and build rapport with experts in these areas to build up preserving the beauty of this planet. It’s a grand-scale concept and I do my part in the smaller ways I can, but I definitely am always looking for more ways to help, to improve, and to become involved. It often feels daunting because not everyone feels the same way about how sacred animals and the environment are. Disappointing, in fact. It is our responsibility though. Veganism has been important in my life for the past almost-9 years, starting with vegetarianism for many years prior to it, Sometimes society doesn’t make it easy and a weird stigma exists around it. And why? Wanting to do better for animals and the planet shouldn’t be a negative thing. They should outlive us all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/shaunrylee
• Other: https://vimeo.com/shaunrylee

Image Credits
No image photographer credits needed but the graffiti image is a still from my latest film, À Volonté (2025), the two black gown images are from C7AA at Marché du Film 2025 in Cannes, red gown image is for ‘You Don’t Deserve This’ premiering during C7AA at Marché du Film 2024 in Cannes