“Sometimes you just have to bet on yourself.” – Ryan Kruger

Ryan Kruger’s career proves that you don’t need permission to start, you just need to create. From picking up a camera and making short films to gaining international attention, his journey is rooted in learning through experience. In this Q&A, Kruger shares his story, the obstacles he faced, and advice for young creatives ready to tell their own stories.

Q. What first inspired you to become a filmmaker? 

Being somebody and anybody you’re not. And to create your own stories from your imagination. 

Q. Was there a specific film or moment that made you realize you wanted to tell stories through film?

I guess growing up watching a lot of 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s films as a kid with my dad. Spielberg 80s films really inspired me. 

Q. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced early in your career? 

Getting the right people to believe in you to make the big move to making feature films. Sometimes you just got to do it yourself and bet on yourself and all chips in to make the move.

Q. How did making short films help prepare you for feature-length movies?

It’s about story and character and character arcs and story development. But I also did this through music videos telling short story’s and having only so many minutes to tie everything together. Which is great trying because a scene has a beginning middle and end and you can also tell a story in such a short amount of time.

Q. What skills do you think are most important for a director to develop?

People skills. It actually crazy to see how many directors don’t have that. But I truly believe a director should know every department it’s your vision.

Q. Fried Barry gained international attention, what was that experience like for you?

It was amazing in every way and i waited a lifetime to experience that. This film will always mean so much to me not just because it’s my first film but what I had to go through to make it. What’s great not only did it gain cult status but there’s not one month that goes by that someone doesn’t speak about it. 

Q. What did you learn from making that film that influenced your later projects?

That anything is possible and how the genre scene around the world is truly amazing and loyal fans and support. 

Q. Do you have a favorite scene or project you’ve worked on, and why? 

Street Trash my 2nd feature I got to work with Sean Cameron Michael and Joe Vaz as leads that was always the dream and back in the day I said it will happen guys I just don’t know when. So to be onset standing bedside them while shooting every single last scene meant the world to me.

Q. How important is collaboration on set, and how do you work with actors and crew?

Collaboration is what filmmaking is all about. We need each other. I love working with actors the most and going on a journey with them. Exploring possibilities and being open to what can make the scene better.

Q. How has South Africa influenced your filmmaking style or stories?  

I love just how much talent we have here, from actors to amazing crews and passion. Not only are there so many stories not been told yet, but there’s a lot of interesting things internationally people haven’t experienced yet.

Q. What advice would you give to young people who want to become filmmakers?

Pick up a camera find people as passionate as yourself to shoot a short or a scene or a music video. There’s no excuse to have 1 day a month and make something. 

Q. What mistakes should new filmmakers try to avoid?

I’d say actually make mistakes and lot of them. You don’t learn unless you fall. And your can only grow and become better. 

Q. Are there any upcoming projects you’re excited about?

I have just finished my 3rd feature that’s in post-production and 2 new films lined up for next year. And there’s some other big news that I can’t say yet but it’s going to push me in the right direction to make something that will push my career in a different direction.

Q. How do you see your filmmaking style evolving in the future?

I’m not a one trick pony I love all genres and I want to explore them. And next year there’s some diffrent genres coming but still in my style of course.

Q. What does success as a filmmaker mean to you?

I’ve worked with low budgets, and I’ve worked with bigger budgets, and I’ve worked with no budgets. You have to love what you do with every Fiber in your body. Success is doing what you love. That’s what makes you happy.

Kruger recently announced a new project currently in post-production, revealed via Instagram with the release of a poster for his latest feature film. Method Madness is an independent, arthouse, black-and-white feature described as a very different experience from Fried Barry and Street Trash. The film was shot in Cape Town, further cementing Kruger’s continued collaboration with the city as a creative backdrop.

Method Madness is about an oddball misfit who dreams of becoming an actor. As he dives deeper into his craft, his behavior shifts in unexpected ways, unleashing chaos and madness. Keep an eye on social media for more updates.