By: The Don

Marcie Ryan is a new actress in the film industry. Having served in the Navy, Marcie pursued the dream of acting that she had put on hold a long time ago. Originally from the West Coast, Marcie came to Philadelphia with her husband and now calls this great city home. She has played several background roles in numerous films. She’s also taking classes and improving her craft with the famous Acting Coach Lisa Regina! To top it off, she is now apart of the awesome Mercury Management Talent agency to expose her to more and different opportunities within film. She is hungry and wants to achieve her life long dream of acting full time and she is very much on her way of achieving it!

Check out Marcie’s websites below for her resume, pictures, videos, etc!

https://www.marcieryan-acting.com

https://www.backstage.com/u/marcie-ryan/

Interview

What is your name?

Marcie Ryan.

How long have you been in the Entertainment Industry?

About three years ago, I started to look into how to get into background acting in the Philadelphia Area.

What got you into acting?

I would say what ultimately got me into acting was to follow a dream that I once put on hold, which I re-visited through being on set.  

I’ve had an interest in acting for a while, ever since I was young. I dabbled a bit in Junior High in a play.  I also took some classes in college while I was in the Navy. I was also in some short films years ago when I was in Hawaii.  

Little did I know, I was going to actually be part of the action and see Sarah Paulson and Anya Taylor-Joy in action, as well seeing M. Night right there directing the scene. For a brief moment, I was and I looked at M. Night and asked him if I was coming into the scene at the right time, and then I was directed to come in a tad bit later. I will never forget that moment, and it hit me at that time that I wanted more! So very briefly, the back of my head is seen walking upstairs in the midst of a conversation between Sarah Paulson and Anya Taylor-Joy. 

Thanks for your service, how long were you in the Navy?

Thank you. I joined right out of High School and was in for four years. My time in the Navy was so beneficial to me and I take it as a privilege that I was able to serve. I was stationed in Pearl Harbor Hawaii, which was an awesome first-time duty station.  The Navy gave me a steppingstone so that I could attend college, where I took some classes in theater and film appreciation. Ultimately, I chose a different path and gained a degree in nursing and became a Registered Nurse.

Has your Navy experience helped you in acting?

I was in the Navy a lifetime ago, over twenty years ago, if anything the Navy provided me with a foundation, but have not been able to apply my experiences at this time.

Did you go to classes to perfect your acting skills?

Then I started taking more classes at West Chester Theater, took IMPROV at Philadelphia Improv Theatre (PHIT), more acting classes with coach Lisa Regina and just wanted to experience and take in as much as I could.

I’m focused on the on-screen and improv and need to take more. Diving into books, recently read Secrets of Screen Acting, which was informative in that it provided a tool on how to know where the shot is, where to look and that an actor needs to know more than just the craft in order to shoot the scene. Just started reading Actor’s Life by Jenna Fischer. I love listening to the actor’s perspective, everyone has a story and not one path is the same. I will also practice monologues. The next class I want to take is a scene study and breaking down a script.

What is your favorite acting style?

At this point, I do not have a favorite acting style, I’m still learning and growing. The Meisner Acting technique is what I have learned so far in the classes that I have taken. It is learning to focus on your scene partner and to find expression in other people’s responses. It makes a lot of sense to me. Method acting is another form that I would love to explore one day.  

Where have you done background work?

Another reason for what brought me back to it years later, was my first background acting experience, which was on, Glass by M. Night Shyamalan. He’s a director I admire immensely. This was hands down the best experience I had, and it was an absolute dream for me. The part was only in the background, but to see the process up close and personal was amazing. At first, I was supposed to be a psych patient, but they needed a pedestrian so I volunteered, and I also had the extra clothes! More background work on Creed II,  A Call to Spy, and Servant in Philadelphia. More background work in Manifest, Billions, New Amsterdam in New York. 

Volunteered on multiple independent sets working as a background and networking with indie filmmakers, building a great network of like-minded artists I enjoy working with and hope to continue to work with.

How many films have you done so far?

About, five short films, working with multiple independent filmmakers.

What was your first film?

My first line was in a short film called, “By The Time it Gets Dark.” I was able to build up my resume and scene footage for my reel. My first supporting role was in multiple student films. My first supporting role was in a short film called Gold Dreams, next came The Sleep Experiment and then I was able to work on a short film called Ripple by Temple student Jess Milner, which really inspired me to continue to follow my passion.

What was the last project you worked on?

The last project I worked on was called “Remember.” I worked with an awesome bunch of talented people who truly inspired me to continue to work harder at attaining my goals. 

What has been your favorite role so far?

So far, my favorite role has been being the mom character, where the mom struggles but fights for her child. This role has become my theme so far, but I look forward to branching out into different roles.

Do you have any pet peeves being on set?

No, not yet. Every time I get to be on set is awesome! So at this time, as being an actor on set I do not. However, prior to doing an emotional scene to keep the focus, it helps to be in a quiet place to keep my head in it.  

What do you do the night before you have a performance?

Usually cannot sleep, but the goal is to go to bed early. I like to make sure that I am prepared, meaning I have my bags packed, my wardrobe and makeup prepared, and directions on where I need to be so that the next day all I have to do is show up. 

Do you get nervous?

I do! I get this feeling that I do not want to mess up and be the cause of the scene to be held up.  

What do you not like about acting?

When auditioning, not knowing if what you created at the moment is what they are looking for. I am still working on forgetting the audition and moving on because the one thing I find myself doing is obsessing over that part.

Do you do other things in the field of film? Like writing or editing?

I do write and I hope that one day I can get a script done. I have lots of ideas. Recently dabbled on the production side of filming, as an assistant production manager/script supervisor, the film had to be on hold for filming at this time, but it really opened my eyes to what goes on behind the scenes.

Do you travel a lot for acting gigs? 

Prior to the pandemic, I traveled for auditions a lot, to NYC, Maryland, New Jersey. Most of the projects I have worked on have been in PA, NJ, and NY. I have traveled to Virginia to work on a series called “Ghost Aholics” where I got to be a guest investigator, which was an interesting experience.

Where are you from?

Spokane, Washington.

What brought you to Philadelphia, being from Spokane?

I met my husband when I was stationed in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. We both got out of the Military. My husband is from Pennsylvania and he was able to get a job in Philadelphia.

Do you like it here in Philadelphia?

Have been living in the suburbs outside Philadelphia for about eleven years, it has taken me awhile to get used to living here.. It has grown on me and would be very hard to leave, so yes I do like it in Philadelphia!

What’s your favorite part of Philly?

My favorite part of Philadelphia… I am really not sure. I would have to say that I discover more and more about Philly and the more opportunities in acting that I have, so my favorite part of Philly is discovering it.

Are you a first-generation actress?

Yes. My dad always helped to feed my ambition, by his love of film which helped plant the seed.

What’s your favorite movie?

This is a very hard question because I love movies and it would be like saying you have a favorite child.  But let me see: my favorite Christmas film is It’s A Wonderful Life. Favorite love story is Love Actually. Favorite teen 80’s flick Sixteen Candles. There are so many I cannot narrow it down to just one.  The Green Mile is a movie that tears me up inside, and Fried Green Tomatoes really was inspiring. I really could go on.

Do you have any upcoming projects?

Grim, Infected, and Weird Things 2 with Lost Lion Film Studio. Other projects in the future: Date with an Angel, and Mantel 2 with the Weakest Link Films. I will also be working behind the camera as an assistant production manager. Also, another a web-series Haunted will be filming hopefully in September in Pennsylvania, with Maynard Films.

I also recently signed with a talent agency called Mercury Management Talent and I am looking forward to exploring other avenues like commercials and more.

 What’s it like being signed to an agency?

I just recently signed with the agency, right before the quarantine, so now that things are starting to open up again it has been nice to have someone to collaborate with. When I first started getting into acting, I felt like getting an agent would be the holy grail of gaining more auditions, so when you feel that desperate to accomplish goals, this is when newbies get taken advantage of. So when I found Mercury Management, it was so refreshing, by the time of my meeting, I had some films under my belt and was able to communicate my goals.  

To know that I have a partner and a collaborator, to run self-tapes by to get an honest option is refreshing. Just because you have an agent does not mean you will immediately get more work. You still have to show up and do the work, self-submit, network take classes, and continue to grow.

What’s your favorite genre?

Definitely a Horror fan! My very first introduction to the horror was when I was about 7 or 8 yrs of age, went to drive in Horrorfest with my dad the only film I remember was Village of the Damned. Zombies are my favorite. I also like the suspense thrillers like “The Thing” also, another film memory with my dad is that we watched it in the theater and then stayed and watched it a second time. 

In your spare time, what do you do outside of acting?

I have a family of three kids, A husband, and three cats and four dogs! They keep me pretty busy. My full-time job I work as a Nurse.

Have you been to LA?

I have been to LA for vacation, but not for a film. 

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

That is a hard question, in ten years is a very long time, haha. I see myself having a lot more experience under my belt, and being able to be part of bigger projects.

What advice do you have for others interested in the entertainment field?

My advice that I would give to others interested in the entertainment field, is to be patient, take in all information, and use it to make the best choices for yourself. Do not come into it thinking you want to be a star, do it because you want to create and collaborate. Baby steps help you grow no matter how small. Be aware of the scammers who will prey on your dream. If it sounds too good to be true nine times out of ten it is too good to be true. Learn, study, and progress. Network, network network, and support other creatives.

This is the advice I would give for those just starting out, I am still in the beginning stages of becoming an actor and have so much more to learn and goals to accomplish.