10 // Dir. Michael Ryan (The Dresden Sun)

Send us a text

In a conversation that's as much about creative resilience as it is about filmmaking, director Michael Ryan takes us deep into the 15-year journey of bringing The Dresden Sun to life. This ambitious cyberpunk thriller wasn't just directed by Ryan – he served as writer, producer, DP, editor, visual effects artist, and post-production supervisor, literally embodying every facet of the creative process.

The Dresden Sun throws viewers into a dystopian future where mercenaries are hired by powerful corporations to conduct espionage against their rivals. When a brilliant mercenary teams up with an insider to steal a mysterious technology called the Sphere, they trigger a chain reaction that pulls together disparate characters from across this fractured society. The film tackles big ideas about consciousness, corporate control, and interdimensional reality while delivering pulse-pounding action and stunning visuals.

What makes this conversation particularly compelling is Ryan's candid discussion of the challenges faced during production. From shooting during COVID with limited resources to personally creating hundreds of visual effects shots, his story reveals the extraordinary dedication required to complete an independent film with studio-level ambitions. "I averaged somewhere between 70 and 100 hours a week for a long time," Ryan shares. "I don't even know what a holiday is."

Perhaps most inspiring is Ryan's philosophy on creative persistence. Despite multiple failed deals and moments of almost pulling the plug, he never gave up on his vision. When asked if Hollywood is dead, Ryan offers a nuanced perspective: "What's dead is the over-reliance on strip mining nostalgia... it's time to take some risks, time to do something new." For anyone who's ever dreamed of making their own film or pursuing a creative vision against all odds, this conversation serves as both blueprint and battle cry.

Follow The Dresden Sun on Instagram and visit archetypepictures.com to learn when and where you can experience this groundbreaking independent film.

Support the show

Please consider following the podcast on Instagram, TikTok, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube!

HiD Artwork //

Mark Vega - Instagram

Theme Music //

Wave Saver "Night Stalker"

Try Epidemic Sound (This helps my channel if you sign up using this link)

Thank you for listening; it means the world to me!

LONG LIVE INDEPENDENT FILM!