We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shaun Rylee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shaun, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I don’t think it’s any secret that being a female in the entertainment industry often puts me in situations where I am the minority for writing or directing. The key is to be a professional who is prepared, informed and confident in your abilities. I didn’t always recognize that I was put in unusual positions being one of if not the only female at an event or in a room full of creatives working in the same capacity. It was almost easier that way to not think about it. But when it comes down to it, being able to recognize it also makes you work even harder because you have to. You have to find the distinct things that set you apart on top of that and that lies within your talent and unique voice.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a director, screenwriter and actress for film and television. My background in Psychology and film fuse together in my projects to tell purposeful and meaningful stories that shine a light on social issues. I think having that education as my foundation on top of utilizing personal experiences helps to qualify me as someone able to provide realistic portrayals that I have gone through mentally and emotionally. It’s fulfilling to me to be able to tell truthful stories that, despite some of the bleakness in their reality, really show heart and resilience in how the characters progress. There are several projects in various stages coming up that I can’t discuss right now, in support of WGA and SAG-AFTRA.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Education, ambition and continuing to evolve are qualities that will serve anyone in this industry well. Whether your education is at a formal institution or not doesn’t matter, just learn as much information as you can about the area you want to go into. I always encourage people wanting to go into screenwriting to learn proper format and story structure but to then evolve the story in your own style. What’s going to make you standout is not your ideas but how you tell them uniquely in a voice that is specific to you. Then you need the ambition to see things through to completion. Discouragement can happen at any time and often. You need to have that burning desire to keep going- and to keep learning.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I absolutely connected with “Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert in a strong way and it’s the only book I’ve read multiple times. It really helped me discover strength in being independent and just really going for your goals and not worrying about what comes next.. I deeply connected with the passage:
“We all want things to stay the same. Settle for living in misery because we are afraid of change, of things crumbling to ruins. Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation.”
Taking chances is a scary concept when you’re used to kind of knowing the ins and outs of your daily life but they produce the greatest rewards. So even if your life can feel like it’s falling apart sometimes, or becomes complacent and predictable, shaking it up with something new will absolutely change you as a person in the best ways. The author has so many great self-realizations that speak to me but that one stays with me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://imdb.me/shaunrylee
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaunrylee
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shaunryleeacts
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunrylee/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shaunrylee
Image Credits
Cinema Dandan Diedhra Fahey Lloyd Martin Steve Escarcega Bad Dingo Productions
