Deadly Beauty: Horror’s Scream Queens and Rising Talent: Erin R. Ryan

Deadly Beauty: Horror’s Scream Queens and Rising Talent: Erin R. Ryan

“Erin R. Ryan was born in Dayton, Ohio. She is a dedicated actor best known for her work in independent horror films. She is a college graduate who with a background in theatre, painting, literature, and ballet. She resides currently in Dayton with her cat, Six-Toed-Sally.”*

Location: I am an actor based out of the Dayton, Ohio area, though I often travel all around the state for projects.

1. How did you get into the industry?

I discovered the love of acting at the age of 12 while attending a local theatre camp. My first role in a play was that of the Gingerbread Witch in Hansel and Gretel. I was a little horror/general Halloween macabre junkie at an early age. I wore out VHS copies of films like Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, Halloween, Creepshow, and countless others. I became instantly fascinated by dark or even just odd stories. Needless to say, when I cast as the villain in the play, I relished the opportunity to delve into the darkside of a character. I continued partaking in school-based and community theatre in the Dayton area until around a year ago when the opportunity of a lifetime came up. While attending Days of the Dead Indianapolis in July of 2012, I met Dustin Mills. (That’s right… THE Dustin Mills of Puppet Monster Massacre, Zombie A-hole, and many other fine indy horror movie flicks fame.) I literally just began talking to him about Puppet Monster Massacre and how amazing it was that he was able to make kick ass movies and live is dream. I mentioned, tentatively, of course, that one day, I would like to get involved with film; especially that of the horror variety. He was incredibly receptive and kind and asked me if I’d be interested in taking a small role in his upcoming project Bath Salt Zombies. The following month, I was filming at Dustin Mills Productions in Toledo. The rest is history. I have done four films with Dustin and his fine crew and I am so proud to say so. After I Bath Salt Zombies was wrapped for me, I began networking around the Dayton area in too seek out projects closer to home. I was hooked on film. I met and auditioned for Henrique Couto of New Dynamic Pictures. He cast me in Babysitter Massacre. I was delighted to be a part of such a classic style horror flick. I was so excited to be working with material that I loved. At nearly the same time, I was also cast in Shawn Burkett’s (Concept Media) Bludgeon. I became a busy girl and I’ve remained so since. I have worked in 9 films in a year’s time. I love to work.

2. What Scream Queen inspired you most?

There are so many inspirational actors out there in the horror genre and otherwise. There is nothing like seeing and feeling a character develop on screen or stage. It is impossible for me to pick a favorite Scream Queen, but there are certainly a great many whom I admire. My earliest memories of the horror genre that I love so much consist of films that I have mentioned previously: Beetlejuice, Halloween, and Hocus Pocus. I need to immediately cite Geena Davis here for her goofy/macabre performance in Beetlejuice. I also enjoy her painstaking performance in the scifi/horror film The Fly. Also from Beetlejuice, Catherine O’Hara sticks out in my mind. I love her ability to just make a character pop off the screen. She embodies every ridiculously wacky facet of Delia Deetz. My inspiration from Halloween, is, of course, the incomparable Jamie Lee Curtis. Simply iconic in that film. Enough said, I think. Hocus Pocus introduced me to the fabulous acting talents of Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker. They were each able to create their own memorable characters, but what a team in the end product! They captured my imagination. I am still highly entertained by the prospect of being a little witchy every now and then. Since I am such a huge Texas Chainsaw Massacre fan, I have to include Caroline Williams from the second film in the series. She just killed that part. So beautiful, yet sassy, smart a tough. I’d love to be able to pull that off someday. One last lovely famous lady I’ll mention is Karen Black. She is so talented and versatile. I was, and still am, in love with Trilogy of Terror. Now, I’d like to mention a couple of my local Ohio girls. Every one should keep an eye on Miss Haley Jay Madison and Miss Janet Jay. They are talented, fierce, and are gonna rock it here soon.

3. What are the next couple projects you are working on?

I love my work and I love to stay busy. I have three films being released in the fall. In September, Kill That Bitch is available (Dustin Mills Productions). October brings Babysitter Massacre (New Dynamic Pictures), and The Ballad of Skinless Pete (Dustin Mills Productions). I am currently filming Summon and Midsummer Nightmares II (Concept Media). So proud and excited for both projects. Later this year, I will also be working on Haunted House on Sorority Row (New Dynamic Pictures). I can’t wait to help tell more stories and make more characters come to life! Thanks for reading!