In December 2000 Beau Ryan took eight wickets without conceding a run playing cricket in the under 16s for Albion Park.
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Ryan went on to star in Rugby League playing for the Tigers and Sharks before retiring from the game in 2014. He then continued to shine as a Footy Show favourite.
Now the much loved larrikin is on the cusp of a career on the big screen after impressing seasoned actors with his raw natural talent in a new movie made by footy mate Jason Stevens.
As much at home with a cricket ball as a football in sport. Ryan has shown similar versatility on the screen whether it be with a roving mic on TV or in front of a movie camera.
He makes it look easy. But this week admitted to stepping out of his comfort zone and doing the hard yards behind the scenes because he takes his career very seriously.
“I like to prepare well for everything whether it is Rugby League or radio. I work really hard to try and be the best I can in everything I do,” he said.
“I think preparation is the key for anything in life. I came well prepared. Obviously there was pressure on me but I really enjoyed it. I find the more pressure I have on me the more I prepare. And that was the same for the movie.”
While his humour comes naturally Ryan said he revels in new challenges.
Chasing Comets was a chance to do something he has always wanted to try. And the move to the big screen was made a little easier because of his great mate.
Ryan describes Stevens as very talented and very funny. He said his good mate had done such a great job on the Chasing Comets script he was determined not to let him down following the faith he was showing in him as an actor.
“I was a little bit nervous to be honest at the start of the week. We shot it last year. I was really busy at the time doing a lot of stuff with Channel 9. I was very lucky they gave me a week to film it.
“When I arrived on set I just loved it. I loved meeting everyone and learning from all the actors. It really opened my eyes and I really enjoyed it.”
Ryan paid close attention to how the professionals prepared. And how a movie is pieced together.
But the Footy Show star also impressed the experienced actors. Stevens said they commented about “Beau’s timing and natural talent”.
Which is why he was comfortable letting the Footy Show funny man ad-lib around the script sometimes and be spontaneous.
Ryan said making the movie was a chance for him to develop new skills and open another door in his constantly evolving career.
He knows how important it is to fully understand the character conveyed in a script and portray that. And sees it as a chance to really be creative.
“The more experience I got on TV the more I have wanted to act,” he said.
“I hope there will be a few more opportunities for me. I got a lot of satisfaction from this. I look really carefree in the movie but I worked really hard.”
Despite his national success in the sport and entertainment arena Ryan continues to maintain a strong connection with his hometown Shellharbour.
“I grew up in Albion Park and now all my family live in Warilla. I go down to Warilla twice a month and see everyone down here. All my friends are still at Albion Park and Warilla,” he said.
It was great that Jase had this character that probably suited me.
- Beau Ryan
“We shot a lot of the movie in Sydney, Cronulla and Wagga. It is great to be part of a new home grown movie. I love supporting Australian film.
“We had a couple of local extras from Wollongong. And Bec (Stevens) had an executive producing role and did wardrobe. She worked really hard. To see something first hand like this here and be part of it was great.”
Ryan said having Rugby League as the theme for his first movie role helped him feel comfortable on set.
“It was really good to get back in the sheds and with the guys. It reminded me of my playing days,” he said.
“It was great that Jase had this character that probably suited me. Being around actors and other creative people was something I really want more of. I want to taste it again. I find I thrive in that environment.”
Ryan said he felt fortunate to get the role without any training as an actor. It is something he will now pursue more.
“Jase is the reason I took the role. I have been offered other roles before. But I liked working with him because he let me be my own person and I put a bit of my own spin on the character,” he said.
Ryan said it was such a privilege to be involved in Chasing Comets because it was something his mate had been working on since retiring from Rugby League. A career that involved 231 NRL games and eight State of Origins.
“He wrote the movie, produced the movie and a lot of the stuff is very clever,” Ryan said.
“Jason is super talented I have always known that. But to write that stuff, not only the comedy but the story line, and the way he has pieced it together is just fantastic.”
Stevens said the underlying theme of the story line is a young man finding himself.
“It is about a guy who has dreams to play in the NRL but he is sabotaging those dreams and his relationships by some of the decisions he is making.
“It is through the dramatic premis in that where we find a lot of the comedy in the film. You warm to him as well because he hits rock bottom and wants to change. And that is where he takes his leap of faith. But he finds trying to change is a whole new ball game as well particularly in that sporting environment.”
Asked what it was like to watch someone else play a young Jason Stevens the writer said he initially felt good about it .
“Then Beau reminded me that Dan Ewing has a six pack, is way more successful, is good looking and hygenic. And then asked “why did you cast him as you”?”
Ryan said he will be sitting in the theatre at the premiere on August 23 surrounded by family and friends. Chasing Comets is being released at Hoyts cinemas around Australia on that date including Warrawong.
“For Jase I really want this to be a huge success. I can’t want to be in the next one. Jase has a couple of other movies in the pipeline and fingers crossed I will get another role.”
Ryan is looking forward to taking on more roles. The next film from Stevens will be a war drama. A true World War II story based on the first Commandos called Z Unit.
Bec Stevens said what audiences will discover from her husband’s first feature film is the writing talent and humour she has seen every day during a decade of married life.
As well as seven years working together on Sydney Weekender.
“I’m so excited I can’t wait for everyone to see it and how much work has gone into it. It’s a bit surreal.
“When I saw it at a cinema we went to for a screening, I literally had to pinch myself.
“It’s something we’ve literally been talking about for 10 years.”