Ryan Lee – White Rabbit

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you are working on?

A) I just finished making a movie out of the Goosebumps books. It was kind of cool to be a part of that. We got to make it and it was a lot of fun!

Q) Please tell us the premise for the movie White Rabbit and about your character Steve.

A) It’s about a kid named Harlon. I play Steve and we are both kind of bullied at school, him more than me. The premise shows the psychological effects that bullies and people who mess with kids for their own enjoyment can have on someone, especially someone who can’t escape the bullies. By the end of the film, Harlon thinks the only way out is dealing with the problem in his own way. Although it is a hard subject to talk about, we have seen it happen in frequent years. And it’s really a shame!

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

A) I think it has a great message and I haven’t ever seen a film this subject or premise. When I read the script, I thought it was really interesting. I knew when the film came out there would be a lot of controversy around it. I just hope people see that I wouldn’t say the movie was about school shootings, but more along the lines of what it takes to get a person to do that. That is why it was kind interesting for me to be a part of it.

Q) Was there anything you added to your role that was not scripted for you?

A) On this, we didn’t improv too much. We stuck to the script because I thought the role of Steve was pretty well rounded. I didn’t need to add too much. I think with every role you bring a little bit of yourself into it, putting yourself into it.

Q) What was it like working with castmates Nick Krause and Britt Robertson?

A) I’ve known Nick Krause since I was eight years old. His mom was actually my agent in Austin, Texas. I have known him for a while. He is a great guy and a good friend of mine. Britt, I met on set. That was pretty much instant. Everybody on set was pretty cool and we got along great.

Q) Was there anything director Tim McCann noted during your performance that you took to heart?

A) He was great! Throughout the scenes we could ask him any questions and he always guided us in the right direction, which was really, really nice and is always great to have.

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming?

A) Some of the locations we shot at I remember. There was a big, old graffitied factory that Tom Cruise had just used to film Oblivion. Some of the locations were awesome and it was fun to shoot at those.

Q) What do you think it is about White Rabbit that will really make people want to see the film?

A) As long as people get past the fact that it is a hard subject and it is about a shooting, I think once they see it that they will understand more along the lines of if they put themselves into the shooter’s shoes. It’s not that you want to feel bad for the guy because what he did was terrible, but you also have to understand that there were things leading up to that. I hope that once people do see the movie they do take away to be kind people because you never know what is going on deep down inside. It’s pointless to be rude for your own self enjoyment. It’s pretty well known that a lot of people will bully because they feel bad about themselves. There are other reasons as well, but bullying is not needed.

Q) You are a part of social media. Are you looking forward to the fan feedback you will receive about the movie?

A) Yeah! I’m excited! I hope people enjoy it. If they want to tweet me, they should feel free because I would love to see what they thought of the film.

Q) Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

A) I think it is one of the only ways that we can connect versus seeing each other face to face like running into me at a restaurant, which is pretty rare. Social media is a great tool!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

A) I hope they go see the movie and that they enjoy it. Don’t take it too seriously, but definitely try to see the message in it. Walk out of the theater, hopefully, a better person and aware of the situation. I never went to high school. I was home schooled so I was never bullied, but doing this film kind of showed me what it would be like. It’s not a good feeling at all. I hope that people become aware of the situation. Hopefully, it will help!