When the film Rip Tide is released in the middle of the year, it will be a testament to the tenacity of producer/actor Ryan Harrison, 28.
Harrison, a former Sheldon College student of Thornlands decided to “throw himself in the industry” and has cultivated a life around performance and acting since leaving school.
“I started a fine arts course in acting but gave it away. I thought the best way is to learn in the industry and that is what I have done,” he said.
While his has not been an easy road, it has had significant highlights, one of which will be the release of Rip Tide (The Steve Jaggi Company), which he associate produced.
Written by his sister Georgie Harrison, 30 , also a former Sheldon College student, the show features Disney star Debbie Ryan and was shot in the Wollongong area.
“It’s a movie about the empowerment of women,” Harrison said.
Harrison said one of his most proud acting moments however was in the film Embedded. Here he played a small role as a US Special Forces solder, a role which put him forward as a candidate for best supporting actor in an AACTA award.
“The role came out of nowhere and I feel proud that I was put up as a first round candidate for best supporting actor in a feature film. That’s a pretty nice coups,” Harrison said.
Harrison worked solidly in local and international film projects, local television and on the side owns two businesses - a production company, Sparrow Films specialising in showreels and building content for actors and Acai Brothers Bondi a superfood juice bar.
He is mostly known for his early work in Warner Bros teen drama Circle of Lies and is solidifying his career with upcoming work in Australian feature films, Hand of Art (Jack Webb), Chocolate Oyster (Steve Jaggi) and US feature film Beneath This Savage Sun (Nathan Hunt - in development).
“I enjoy all facets of film making. You have to love it. But it’s tough. It’s not until you are in it, that you realise how tough it is. I’ve had more rejections in one year than most people would have in their whole life. But I believe that if you put your mind to something, you can get there. It’s all about tenacity – about never giving up,” he said.
