1.) In all the series you were in, which character and what production did you like the best and why?

RYAN: To this day I still commend and compliment the amazing team in Toronto and LA on Queer as Folk. As a Production team on a show that was constantly pushing the envelope and breaking ground on the small screen, you might think that the producers and crew were a pack of miscreants. Quite the opposite! As one of the most efficiently run, professional productions I have ever had the joy of working with, I was immediately put at ease and made to feel very safe shooting my story within that amazing series. I enjoyed playing Brandon even more once I knew that all freedom and expression was allowed, preferred, and safe to be experimented with. That production was most certainly a gift to work with. I also loved the good people at Incendo Productions, who I shot Second Chances with last summer in Montreal. From the Drivers, right up to the Executives, a first class operation from Day one..

For my favorite character.. Please skip to #5...


2.) In the LFN Episode "Love" what did you find to be the most outstanding segment?

RYAN: In all fairness, it has been some time since I've seen that episode, but I do remember while we shot in downtown Toronto, being rather amazed at how we took control of the major subway/train station in the middle of the day. (I was still fairly new to acting, and had fresh eyes on so much.) But then while watching the televised episode.. realizing that the final showdown in the station and out on the tracks was even more incredible. Also.. I remember thinking "I didn't know there was a camera there", while watching the scenes I was in. Hahaha..


3.) As a former model, what companies did you model for and what type items did you model?

RYAN: My modeling career began under the amazing Lara Cassidy in my hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and quickly shifted to Toronto. While in Toronto I worked with Armstrong Models and primarily worked catalog print (Sears, Bay, etc.) for the time I was there. Just prior to leaving for Los Angeles, there was talk of a contract in Paris, and possibly Japan, but that never happened. My editorial work was quite limited, as was my runway even though I had won that specific "award" at the CMTC (Canadian Model and Talent Convention) 1996. Soon after moving to Los Angeles, modeling fell further and further down the priority list for me..


4.) Do you still live in Canada or the US?

RYAN: Currently, I live in Los Angeles as close to the water as I can get. My family and friends still span the Great White North so I make every possible attempt at getting back whenever I can.


Sandy Meridith ~ Kansas, USA
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5.) What has been your favorite role so far and why?

RYAN: Of all the series I have been a part of my favorite character/role is still from the relatively unseen series "Saints and Sinners". I played Marcus, who was described as "a dangerous stranger with a mysterious past". When in fact, Marcus was just misunderstood (lol). The series was part of the English speaking telenovella series that MyNetwork did back in 06-07. S&S (Saints and Sinners) was a modern day take on the Romeo and Juliet story with two dueling families in the resort hotel world of Miami. Marcus was ultimately unearthed as DEA, but not before he was undercover as a priest, when he fell in love with the beautiful Pilar (played by Natalie Martinez), and then a drug dealing thug under one of Miami's leading crime lords. All in the hopes of tracking down the man who was responsible for murdering his wife some years prior. Misunderstood indeed!

There were plenty of ups, downs, ins and outs for Marcus and since we were shooting in San Diego the on site fun with an amazing cast never seemed to stop. I mean seriously.. A DEA Agent undercover as a priest who falls in love with one of his "flock", so he turns to dealing drugs, all the while keeping his true identity a mystery while he avenges his dead wife's life??? Incredible role!


6.) What role would you love to play that you haven't yet? Or a collaboration you wish with an actor/actress/director

RYAN: Interestingly I was just having this conversation the other night with some actor friends of mine, and it quickly became a game of sorts but the answers are pretty simple. I have always wanted to play a Vampire. These days that's a sticky distinction what with all the "sparkly" vampires out there these days, but with shows like The Vampire Diaries and "horror" movies coming out stronger than ever.. I am hoping I am handed some teeth soon. As far as people I look forward to possibly working with.. there are many obviously, but the answer that I stuck with the other night was David Fincher or Darren Aronofsky.


7.) What is something embarrassing or unexpected that happened to you on set?

RYAN: Oh man... Well.. One story that pops into mind was from the set of Queer as Folk. We were shooting a fairly pivotal scene in the apartment of Brian (Gale Harold) where the entire point of my being in his life was being realized. As I was laying on the bed, after a long pause, I'm supposed to deliver the straw that breaks the camels back so to speak.. and as I turn to him to begin speaking... My stomach/throat only emits this long low guttural moan of sheer hunger. I was mic'd of course and Gale heard it from across the room, so you can imagine how loud it was to the team sitting in video village watching the footage. My eyes went wide, and then there was a long silence.. Nobody yelled "Cut!", but the director finally broke the silence with, "Ryan..? You alright?" We reset and shot it again.


8.) What's your experience on the shooting of La Femme Nikita?

RYAN: I have so many fond memories of shooting those scenes. To be honest, it was my very first real acting job. I was in Toronto and working.. as an ACTOR! I met Jon Cassar who directed that episode, and remember him saying on my final day, "We'll work together again some day." Everything about that job and those days as Peter in Toronto were proof I was doing the right thing. The rest of the cast I got to work with was incredible, and even the crew and I were on good terms right from the get go. I'm thrilled to have it on my resume..


9.) Do you have any tattoos? If so, what is it? If not would you ever get one?

RYAN: I do not have a single tattoo. Although, several weeks ago I made the public statement that if the Chicago Bears (NFL) were to go on and win the SuperBowl this year I would celebrate somehow with some ink.. Well, if anyone follows the football follies, you know that I am without any ink this year.


10.) Are you in a relationship right now?

RYAN: My life is full of amazing people, and love from all sorts of places. I learn more and more everyday about myself and others, and sometimes those lessons come from one person more than others.


11.) What is your primal goal for this year?

RYAN: If I accomplish 3 things this year, I will consider it a successful year: Produce my second film, Land a major role in a film or show, and Give something back to my community. To be honest I've always felt that I don't need a lot to survive here... The ability to create, the money needed to live somewhat comfortably while creating, and the time to give those less fortunate (in some aspect) the enjoyment they seek, if even for a day. Goals are funny things because ultimately the answer always goes to "professional" or "physical", etc. but I have so many aspects in my life that I love that my goals are varied and widespread. But the overall theme is the ability to grow and share.


12.) We all have our weak spot, mine is my baby niece, what's yours?

RYAN: Ha! I've got a nephew I'm pretty sold on myself, but what get's me pretty much every time is potato chips. I'm serious! I have a real problem with them. However, I'm fairly certain you were looking for something a little more substantial with your question. Sometimes I find myself a little to "enabling", to the degree that my needs become second. It's not all the time, but does get me behind every so often.


Andri Andreou ~ Cyprus Greece
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13.) What made you decide to become an actor?

RYAN: I love this question! It's like asking the couple with the amazing "meet" story, how they met...

I was working my very first "Extra" role on the set of Two If By Sea, starring Denis Leary and Sandra Bullock which actually shot in my hometown of Halifax. I had just graduated from university (Acadia), and unfortunately was still a little unsure where I was headed. I ended up on this set as a young police officer, and basically stood in the same spot all day long for a mere $100. It was incredible!!! I had no idea what any of these people around me were doing but I know they were doing it all day, all day tomorrow, and probably next week.. and I wanted a piece of the action. And that was the beginning... modeling was just a conduit to leave Halifax, and get to Toronto.. and ultimately LA. I was thrilled at the possibility that I could make movies every day if I wanted. Obviously since then I have learned a few solid lessons about the whole business, but to this day, my happiest place on earth is on a set with other people who love to create stuff for you guys.


Vickie Luke ~ West Virgina
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14.) Tell us about your experience with writing, directing or producing your own movie; is this a direction you would like to pursue?

RYAN: Early in 2010, I was able to put my name under the Executive Producer title on a film currently called AWAY, and a short "Alone". We're still playing around with the footage and haven't really had a chance to show many people, but we did receive some very nice words from the people at Sundance about our efforts. As I mentioned above, it's really about the creation of story.. the ability to ask an audience a question through cinema... and see what comes from it for me. Whether or not I am acting or directing, writing, producing.. it truly doesn't matter, although my first love is acting.


15.) Do you prefer to work for television or cinema and why?

RYAN: I don't really have a preference. Work is work, and these days a lot of the television being produced is so amazing that it's like being on a short film shoot. Obviously the styles differ, and the freedom you have in movies is a little more with the time constraints on the small screen, but again... On set, is on set. Story telling and creation is one in the same.


16.) Do you have a favorite genre for movies or shows to play in?

RYAN: This is another great question, as I could answer it from a purely selfish angle and say that I always enjoy the dramatic dark... the comic book genre... the cute and cuddly love story gone bad for a moment... Those are some of my more enjoyable roles to chomp on. However, as an actor in Los Angeles, you also have to pay strict attention to where you "fall" as a "type". I could tell you that I really can't wait to play the role of an Irish gangster/boxer, who throws his life into the dumps just to avenge the life of his father, by killing everyone that comes between him and the killer... but truthfully, I'm not gonna likely get the call to play that role. I'm gonna be too busy reading for the new Dr. on Grey's Anatomy, or the upstart lawyer on one of those shows... Maybe a young do-gooder cop out to save the world. My point being that I have my dream roles, but also understand the reality of how I'm "seen".


17.) Have you made any lasting friendships from the projects that you've worked on?

RYAN: Absolutely! I'm still in touch with a lot of people that I have worked with in the past. It's really just part of the process. Obviously some people disappear for whatever reason, but I've been very lucky in working with good people. Unfortunately, I haven't remained in touch with anyone from LFN, although I do run into Jon Cassar occasionally, and an old friend of mine used to represent Peta Wilson (maybe still does).


18.) What is your best memory from La Femme Nikita?

RYAN: The leather pants! Sooo tight! :D

Seriously, the thing I remember most about that experience was being with an amazing crew and cast and how friendly everyone was. After shooting every day, I would fold and hang my clothes on the hangers they were waiting on earlier in the day... One morning I got a note from wardrobe that they were so appreciative of how "neat" I kept my stuff... I told them to thank my mother ;) The incredible Alberta Watson was amazing to work with, and fortunately I ended up on another credit list with her a few years later with Vendetta starring Daniel Baldwin. The people made that show for me.


Dana Vrajitoru ~ Indiana
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19.) When you have a role that has no dialogue, such as the episode "Love" on La Femme Nikita, with only movements and actions, is the script worded different from a speaking role script? And how do you prepare for a role of this type?

RYAN: At the time in my "career" that I was shooting LFN (very early), I was just happy to have a character name to be honest, let alone a good amount of screen time. But with regards to scripts, there isn't usually a difference in the writing style for the non-speaking roles if the character is a sizable role, whereas there may be very limited stage direction with a smaller role left to the Director's discretion. As the actor you read the pages the same and establish what that character would be going through regardless of him (or her) saying anything. Sometimes on TV you do lose performances to words because production feels they need to spell things out for the audience, and so every little thing, every nuance is talked about.. instead of just felt.

For Peter specifically, my prep time was limited as we were shooting the day after casting the first few scenes, so I just talked to a friend of mine who was familiar with guns, and could tell me how guns are truly handled, rather than how a lot of people on screen will hold them. Turns out I never actually needed that knowledge. So I just hoped I played a convincing foreign hit man.


20.) Had you heard of the TV series La Femme Nikita before you got the part to play Peter, and what are your feelings for an entity such as Section One and the world of anti-terrorism?

RYAN: Truthfully, I had never heard of LFN as it was a brand new series, and I wasn't so "involved" in the world of acting at that time. The other thing that a lot of people don't know is that "Love", which aired as Episode 106, was actually the first episode they shot. So it was all kinds of new. I was thrilled to be the "model" in the room, beating out some actors for the role even if we were never gonna say anything. I felt really great about my efforts.

As far as anti-terrorism goes, my answer may seem all over the road, but I'm a pretty decent sized "conspiracy theorist", and wouldn't be shocked at all at some of the validity of the things we see on TV every day. Although, I'm not a very politically minded person so sometimes I prefer to just keep my mouth shut and appear uninformed, than open it and erase all doubt. But ultimately, there are a lot of people in this world that aren't quite right, and unfortunately some of those people have a lot of influence.


21.) The room is cold, your arms strapped to a chair that you can never break out of. The sound of a steel door creeks open and you've got a woman come into the room that could suck the breath out of your body with a mere stare, was the "white room" set as intimidating as it looks?

RYAN: Well you got the COLD part right! That room was freezing!!! What I remember about that scene the most is that they had Alisa and I in there forever before we actually even started rehearsing. I have no idea if it was on purpose or if there was a technical issue, but we were sitting there for a while, and after a while it actually started creeping us out. Finally when Alberta was available for a rehearsal, even that was kind of cold. She walked in with the camera, kind of silently ran her lines and then walked out. Camera was good and Alberta felt good. Alisa and I had no idea what was going on and nobody was really telling us much. Finally we hear through the walls that we were ready to shoot, so while Alisa and I were freaking out about that, Alberta came in the door and "sucked the breath out of our body with MORE than a mere stare"! To answer your question, the "white room" wasn't intimidating to start, but it certainly got that way. Production doing what they do best I presume.


22.) In studying your filmography, I watched a few YouTube video clips of your role as Brandon on "Queer as Folk". You seemed to adapt to the role easy, personal experience or damn good acting?

RYAN: Well... I think that is the best way I've heard that question asked since doing QAF. ;) I actually did have some difficulty in the beginning with certain nuances that came with the role. Luckily one of the amazing producers (Sheila Hockin) was nearby to help out when necessary. Luckily I was able to feel out the little differences that came with that character. I am straight but am not turned off by gay roles at all, and with many very good friends who are bi or gay, would gladly play another role if it were appropriate. I'm happy that more and more "out" actors are working and having very successful careers.

Damn good acting! .


23.) It's difficult to gather personal bio information on you, and you've got a fan-base waiting for you to fill in the blanks, so when you're not acting or modeling, what relaxes you, hobbies acquired, music choices and something you choose to enlighten us with?

RYAN: I've been told in interviews before that it's hard to do research, but truthfully I'm not that mysterious, I guess I just need to work more ;) You can always find my latest ramblings on my Facebook Fan Page at Ryan Scott Greene, or really soon at my website www.ryanscottgreene.com.

But for now I can give you the basic details that make my world spin. Besides the producing, and writing/directing that I am trying to challenge myself with more and more every day, I am also an avid runner, and have been since 2004. I have completed 10 marathons and am currently training for my 11th, as well as two Ultra's (50k) last summer. By the end of the year, I hope to complete my first 50 miler and hopefully move on to the elusive 100 soon after that. But just getting out for a simple 3-8 miler also has its HUGE advantages for me. I call it "free therapy".

In terms of reading and music, and the art cultures, I tend to read whatever I'm given (usually in the form of scripts), but lately have been trending towards Zen practices and Buddhist philosophies. I subscribe to religion about as much as I do politics, but the beliefs within the areas that I am reading are far from a "religion", and more of a way of thinking and existing. Having said that, there is always room for Calvin and Hobbes. Musically, I'm a fan of "good". I enjoy many genres of music and only start to limit it when it starts to sound manufactured or formulaic. I do get slightly annoyed when an artist releases a song, and only because that artist is big at the time does that song go to "#1"... Nobody ever listens to the song but just knows it's the next song from so-and-so. A lot of time, the song is garbage.

A very important man in my life once said that "Healthy Skepticism" is the one true way to know you believe something... believe IN something. Ask "why?" just enough to know you trust it, and all of a sudden you'll start to realize you don't necessarily agree with what people are telling you. Don't believe something is true, until it is true for you.

And finally, my favorite quotation right now.. and really just because I feel like spreading it around:

"Be yourself, everyone else is already taken." --Oscar Wilde
-Ryan Scott Greene


Cynthia Wilkerson ~ Texas, USA
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