Talking about Shaolin Blues with Ryan McCrory

Image Courtesy of Ryan McCrory

Ryan McCrory is a martial artist, actor, writer and director from Memphis, Tennessee. We screened his short film Shaolin Blues last year at Fighting Spirit Film Festival 2022. He starred, wrote, directed and produced the martial arts short. Cal Turner, an unreliable martial artist uses his uncle’s teachings to face off with Memphis’ number one gang, in order to salvage his relationship.

Describe yourself in three fictional characters

Three characters I identify with are Rocky Balboa, Spike Spiegel, & Peter Parker. Rocky, the underdog who rises to the top through his determination. Spike has an easy going and carefree style that I admire (he even quotes Bruce Lee's water analogy). Peter Parker's quick wit and youthful energy added with his desire to do the right thing.

What were your first memories of Kung Fu cinema?

The first time I was introduced to Kung Fu cinema, like many people, was through Bruce Lee. I was in high school at a friend's house and his uncle had 'Enter the Dragon' playing on their TV. I didn't quite catch the Kung Fu cinema bug fully at this time but seeing even just part of that movie left an impression on me that I was never able to forget.

Tell us about your martial arts background. What was your introduction to martial arts? Growing up my dad taught me boxing techniques. He had me workout on the heavy bag and spar with him or friends my age for self defense. After that I always enjoyed anime and films with martial arts aspects but didn't train until college. I tried a Taekwondo class, an eight week Krav Maga program, and even a few Kali classes before settling at the Bei Shaolin Kung Fu Institute in Memphis. Inspired by Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan I wanted to learn Kung Fu, not only for self defense but because of its rich history and artistry. Now I've been training in Shaolin Kung Fu for 4 years and I'm looking into broadening my skills by training tricking and bodyweight calisthenics. I currently train with Grand Master Shi Yan Xu at the Shaolin Temple Cultural Center USA just outside of Los Angeles.

What made you decide to enter the film industry? What was it about filmmaking that you enjoyed?

Theatre was my first introduction to acting in high school. After I began to find a passion for acting I slowly transitioned into doing film by helping my friends make short films for YouTube. In 2017 I graduated from college, got an Agent for film, commercials, and television, then booked my first high paying commercial role almost immediately. I remember thinking "This is it! Things will start to take off from here!"...crickets... Turns out it wasn't as easy as I had hoped and was only acting here and there, not really doing roles I was passionate about. Determined to get some guidance, I attended a workshop with casting director Regina Moore where she gave me some advice that started my filmmaking career. She told us that in the modern age you have no excuse not to have a reel as an actor and you should write and film your own scenes. I took this to heart and began writing my own scenes to shoot. Then to make a long story short, it evolved into creating my own short films and finding I loved having the control of the stories I wanted to tell. Filmmaking was the key to avoiding being typecast or pigeon holed into certain types of characters. Now I just enjoy the creative process and all the amazing people filmmaking allows me to meet.

How did you start to find your footing in the film industry?

Acting was how I got started. Working as background and acting in short/student films. However, things really started to take off once I started making my own films. I think it showed people a different side of myself and what I was capable of. You are your best advocate.

Which Kung Fu movies inspire your filmmaking?

Kung Fu movies inspire all my filmmaking, but for Shaolin Blues specifically I watched movies like Fist of Fury, The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Five Deadly Venoms, and Drunken Master. I wanted that 70s feel for Shaolin Blues but set in modern day.

You wanted to feature Memphis in Shaolin Blues, how does Memphis inspire your filmmaking? Were there any key locations that you wanted to feature in the film?

Memphis is my hometown. It's where I grew up and shaped who I am. When most people think of Memphis visually I think they picture the I-40 bridge, the pyramid, and the Mississippi River. Those were essential in my mind to help put you in the world while watching Shaolin Blues. The Memphis Botanic Garden was also a key location to pull off this short. It gave it that classic/old school feel to the training montage.

What was your writing process for Shaolin Blues?

Shaolin Blues is my 3rd short film I've written for Blue Lion Pictures. Usually I'll get a scene or a character in my mind and start writing a story around that starting point. I also workshopped the script with friends and primarily my Kung Fu teacher, Sifu Kevin Miller, whose involvement was key in this film. He actually approached me about my films one day at class and asked why I hadn't asked him to help with the fight choreography yet. Honestly, I didn't want to bother him but hearing that he was interested I immediately began writing this Kung Fu drama.

Image Courtesy of Ryan McCrory

What was the filming of Shaolin Blues like, what was your favourite part of filming and what was the most challenging part of filming?

We filmed Shaolin Blues over 3 days. It was a little chaotic at times but I was having so much fun I didn't feel how tired I was until we wrapped. My favorite part was getting to work with my teacher so closely. I don't think many people get to make and star in a Kung Fu movie so it all felt like a dream to me. The most challenging part was shooting all the fight scenes in such a limited amount of time. This was our most fight heavy film so it was a new experience for everyone. Especially considering most of our actors were martial artists and had never been in front of a camera before and our crew was still getting used to filming fight choreography. Action movies aren't very common in Memphis.

Tell us about the music design for Shaolin Blues.

Music was as much of a character in this film as anyone else. I wanted to pay tribute to funky 70s scores of the past but also give it that blues/rock sound Memphis is known for. I called upon my friend, Justin Toland, who's the lead singer/guitarist of the band, Dirty Streets. He enthusiastically took on the project and is a big part of the reason the film turned out as good as it did. 

Image Courtesy of Ryan McCrory

Can you tell us about Sifu Kevin Miller, who did the fight choreography for Shaolin Blues and how the fight choreography was designed?

Sifu Kevin Miller has been training in martial arts since 1978 and won numerous tournaments in the South Central United States. He studied Southern Hung Gar, Praying Mantis, Snake Style Kung Fu, Northern Shaolin Long-Fist, and Tai Chi Chuan. He is also a 19th generation Mei Hua descendant. Sifu Kevin Miller is also the first African American to ever open a traditional Chinese Martial Arts school in Memphis, Tennessee. He currently owns and operates Bei Shaolin Kung Fu Institute in Memphis. When I approached him about choreographing the fights in our film he was adamant that it had to make sense. Where I wanted some of the flashy and over the top moves from these classic Kung Fu movies, he helped ground it in realism of what would actually work in a real fight.

Image Courtesy of Ryan McCrory

What’s something you learned while making Shaolin Blues?

For the film we made our own breakaway table. I think I would do some things differently now but it was fun to come up with ideas on how to do that with no prior experience.

You founded a production company, Blue Lion Pictures, can you tell us more about it?

Blue Lion Pictures was founded in January 2020. The thinking behind it was I wanted my films to be behind something other than just my name, to give it credibility. To quote Bane (The Dark Knight Rises) "No one cared who I was until I put on the mask." The idea for the name came from the McCrory family crest that hangs in my dad's office. It has a blue lion on the shield. As of JAN 2023, Blue Lion Pictures has produced 6 short films and is currently in the early stages of developing a feature film. 

Do you have any upcoming projects you can tell us about?

I have two short film projects currently in post production. The first is 'Fist of Fortune', a Kung Fu Action/Comedy about a guy who believes he finds a magic fortune cookie fortune and will do what it says no matter the cost. The other is 'Bloodline', a Crime Thriller/Drama about a Memphis Police Detective investigating the Fu Jia Triads (a fictional Memphis Chinese Triad).

How has your experience been with Fighting Spirit Film Festival?

The Fighting Spirit Film Festival team was great! Excellent communication and I was honored to have Shaolin Blues featured along with so many other martial arts films. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend in person due to the difficulty of international travel, but my hope is to be able to make it out one year to see the event in person! Love that you guys are helping keep martial arts films alive!

Speed Round. Choose One Film for each question.

1. What was the last film you watched?

   Fantastic Mr. Fox

2. What was the best film you watched this year?

   Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

3. What is your favourite film by your favourite filmmaker?

   Django Unchained by Quentin Tarantino

4. Which is your favourite remake?

   The Thing (1982)

5. Which cinematic universe would you like to live in, e.g. The Grand Budapest Hotel, MCU, Sailor Moon?

   Dragon Ball Universe 

Image Courtesy of Ryan McCrory

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Image Courtesy of Ryan McCrory