Jake Ryan – Savage

By starrymag | March 2, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the film Savage.

 

A) Savage is essentially a story about what drives a young innocent boy to become a violent and brutal enforcer of New Zealand’s notorious street gangs. Also, it’s a love story about a boy wanting to find and reconnect with his mum.

 

Q) How was your character Damage originally described to you?

 

A) Damage has always been a brutal, violent enforcer on the exterior but a scared little boy who longs for love and connection on the inside.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of this film?

 

A) I loved the script and immediately was drawn to this world and the complexity of damage. To get an audience to have empathy and join damage on his brutal quest for love and connection was a challenge. That’s what you want as an actor. Sam Kelly’s award-winning short film LAMBS blew me away also, he finds such beauty in decay.

 

Q) What did you do physically to get in shape for the role?

 

A) I put on 20kg (around forty pounds) it was important that I had a physical presence on screen and amongst the other gang members. Obviously, the beard and hair were grown out also. The physical is really important to me as an actor. It really helps me find the character, whether it’s losing or gaining 40 pounds, it gives you so much.

 

Q) Were you familiar at all with any of your costars before working with them on the movie?

 

A) I’ve worked with Chelsie Preston Crayford and she is a powerhouse. Brilliant film maker as well as actor. I have heard of John Tui and his credits speak for themselves. I was thrilled to be jumping in the ring with those household kiwi names.

 

Q) What advice did director Sam Kelly offer while shooting that you took to heart?

 

A) The best advice was keeping it simple, keep going for less and letting the eyes tell the story. We went pretty deep with this one.

 

Q) What were some of your favorite or most challenging scenes to film?

 

A) The opening scene was a challenge to show the alpha toxic masculinity at its best but also a man who doesn’t want to punish his friends anymore. Fav was probably the car scene with Liam (Seth Flynn) [brother]. It was a special night shooting that and I’ll never forget it.

 

Q) With such an intense storyline, how did you shake off a long day of filming?

 

A) Damage was hard to shake off each day. There’s only so much you can do when you are back again early the next morning. I spent my down time in steam rooms and swimming laps of the pool. I spent pretty much the entire shoot isolated and disconnected to people to keep a sense of damage. I jump straight into another gig two days after I wrapped which was good, so I didn’t have a lot of time to sit with the residue which can be a problem at times.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of fan feedback have you been receiving to the movie?

 

A) Everyone has been super supportive and maybe a little surprised at the depth of the character and performance. People are always gonna be nicer to your face, so hopefully they did actually like it. [laughs]

 

Q) What do you think it is about Savage that will make it a fast fan favorite crime drama?

 

A) It’s raw, real, visceral and tells a very important story in New Zealand’s history. The abuse in state care for orphaned kids is a massive problem and has affected so many peoples’ lives. I’m glad I got to help tell their story. No one has given these men a voice before.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

 

A) Just a big thanks to everyone for watching. I don’t have a job without you guys, so I’m very grateful every day that I get to do what I love for a job.