Interview:James Ryen
Heroes Wiki has done a interview with James Ryen, who played Agent 1 in the going postal webisodes. This interview was posted on the August 24, 2008, and was conducted via email by skywalkerrbf.
Did you watch Heroes before you took the part? Do you still watch it now?
I hate to admit this, but I was one of the 43 people in the world that didn't watch the show. I remember being really intrigued by the previews before it premiered, but life and work got in the way of my enjoying the show before working on it. I am a fan now though--thank you DVR!
If so do you have a favorite character or episode?
Ooohhh, tough question. I'm going to have to say Molly Walker since I see the person that plays her, Adair Tishler, almost everyday at the XMA World Headquarters--a martial arts, acrobatic, and stunt training facility where I work and train. I guess Ali Larter too, since she's marrying the brother of one of my friends from the A.R.T. in Cambridge.
Do you have any stories from the set?
I got into a lengthy discussion regarding paintball marker technology with Drew Pierce, the special FX coordinator--he was using a modified paintball marker to blast the "blood and brains" of the Constrictor onto the wall. I also came up with the next new advertising boom with Tanner Kling, one of the producers....I can't give it away, but it does involve porta-potties.
Did you have any lines which were cut from the final episode?
I did not...luckily all of my lines made it in the final edits...yes, all two of them (laughing).
Did you enjoy working on the Heroes webisodes? Was it different from any other jobs you have had?
Yeah, it was a blast! Everyone was excited about being a part of something new that was still connected to the Heroes world. There was a great energy on set and everyone was very welcoming. I hope to be a part of another one--you never actually see my character die by Echo's blast!
If you could have any power, then what would it be?
Seriously--the ability to mediate conflicts between anyone or anything and resolve them all peacefully.
Jokingly--the ability to eat all the junk food I wanted and still be healthy.
You have done theater and television work, which do you prefer and why?
They're really two very different beasts. I love working in the theater--the friendships and camaraderie you build with your fellow cast and crew is unequaled when you think about the short amount of time you actually spend with them during the run of a show. On camera work is really exciting in its own right--the scale of some productions is just awesome to be a part of, and it's amazing to see how so many people need to be on the ball regarding their specific jobs to get even five seconds of usable footage. I hope to work in both mediums for a long time to come.
Can you tell us a bit about any up and coming work you are doing?
Just some more auditioning. I recently closed the role of Laertes in the Gangbusters Theatre Co. production of Hamlet where we received some great reviews, so hopefully the phone will keep ringing with opportunities to keep working. So if you know any producers or directors out there (wink, wink)...
Do you know if there's any chance of you appearing in Heroes again?
I don't know...the last you see of my character is him being blasted by a yell from Echo, BUT, like I said, you never actually see me die, and Echo is trapped in Level 5 later in the webisode, so my idea is that the blast affected my DNA, which allows me to find Echo by "reverse" sonar. Every time he uses his power, I "hear" it and that allows me to track him down and eventually catch him. Good, right? So send your letters to NBC Universal, Tim Kring, Dennis Hammer, and Allan Arkush about me continuing to be a part of the show!
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Cast |
Sally Champlin • Alex Fernandez • Mike Foy • James Kyson Lee • Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine • Joshua Rush • James Ryen • Roberto Sanchez • Diana Terranova | ||||
Crew |
Adam Armus and Kay Foster • Yule Caise • Zach Craley • Nate Goodman • Chuck Kim • Tim Kring • Jason La Padura • Debra McGuire • Joe Tolerico • Kevin Tostado | ||||
Graphic Novel Crew |
Robert Atkins • Micah Gunnell • R.D. Hall • Joe Kelly • Chuck Kim • Kotzebue brothers • Ryan Odagawa • JG Roshell • Mark Sable | ||||
Specific Works |
Blackout • Dark Matters: directors / writer • Destiny • Evs Dropper • Golden Handshake • Into the Wild • iStory (follow up) • Nowhere Man: directors / writers • The Recruit • Root and Branch • Slow Burn | ||||
See Also: Links • Interviews |