Ryan Leader

photography by ELLIE ANDREWS @ellieporttfeaturing RYAN LEADER @ryantheleaderinterview by GISELLE MELENDRES @gisellelisabeth

photography by ELLIE ANDREWS @ellieportt / featuring RYAN LEADER @ryantheleader

interview by GISELLE MELENDRES @gisellelisabeth

Ryan Leader always planned to do a lot with his future. In fact, he already has. At the age of nineteen, Ryan made the move from Utah to Los Angeles to be closer to the entertainment world. Finding his footing in Hollywood as an editor, YouTube creator, and aspiring filmmaker, Ryan’s knack for comedy and creativity has made him a new media creator to watch. Today we had the opportunity to chat with Ryan about finding his niche in entertainment and social media — where he tells us about his journey on YouTube, moving to Los Angeles, and his biggest advice for aspiring creators. Read our interview to learn more about Ryan Leader: a creator on the rise.

Hi Ryan, thanks for taking the time to chat with Mad Sounds today. To start off, tell us about what a typical day is like for you:

I firstly wake up (obviously) and then determine what my day will look like after that. I either do 1 of 3 things typically everyday, I either will film and edit a video for myself, film and edit for Chad (Cherdleys), or head down to Santa Monica to edit for the app I work at Joyride.

You’re originally from Utah and are now based in Hollywood. What made you want to make the move to Los Angeles? How is Los Angeles different from your life in Utah?

entertainment. So the year after I graduated from high school I decided to move down to LA to live with my father. 6 months later I moved to Hollywood and am now living with Chad. I told myself when I left Utah, “I will not get a job in LA unless it is in entertainment.”

The biggest difference from living here rather than Utah, is that Utah has a huge religious influence from the Mormon religion—there isn’t that here. There is much more of the melting pot that the United States is supposed to be. I miss certain parts of Utah such as the mountains, my family, and my friends. Living in LA these last 9 months has completely 180’d everything in my life, I believe, for the better.

I moved from Utah to Los Angeles to be closer to the entertainment world, I knew I wanted to be in

What are some of your favorite places in LA?

The Getty, for some reason I love that museum. It’s free, you ride a tram to get to it, and the view from up there is astounding. I love Manhattan Beach because it’s not as busy as say Venice or Santa Monica. I also really enjoy the private beaches up in Malibu to have a fire with friends. I also really enjoy walking around DTLA, the downtown compared to SLC is insane, so much bigger here, a specific spot downtown would have to be Birdies - Chicken, Coffee, and Donuts.

You’re currently working as a comedy video creator, creating sketch videos, vlogs, and more on both YouTube and Instagram. What made you want to start making YouTube videos and getting into comedy?

I’ve been making videos since I was in 6th grade, they’ve usually always been comedy because as cliche as it sounds, I love making people laugh, but more importantly I like making people think. I guess creating videos in my eyes in the 21st Century will eventually open the door to filmmaking more easily than school would, and filmmaking is what I’m passionate about.

You’ve also worked with a handful of popular YouTube creators such as Casey Frey, Cherdleys, Trevor Wallace, and more. How did you first meet them? What type of collaborations are your favorite to make?

I wouldn’t say I’ve personally collaborated with them, I work for Chad as his cameraman, I film them collaborate, I may pitch a joke or two, but I wouldn’t say I’ve collaborated with them. I like making something that will either get a reaction out of someone or make them think differently. I do a lot of things in my personal life to get a reaction. Soooo, I would want to collaborate people who actually 1. Care about comedy. 2. Are authentic and 3. Are actually good.

Do you prefer working on vlogs or sketches more?

Sketches—vlogs are disgusting, no one should ever be invested in someone’s life like that. I make them to either say a thought I had or show how funny my friends may be, never to brag about my life.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations for both comedy and otherwise?

I have a shitload of inspirations that range from dead guys who thought about stuff too much, musicians, comedians, filmmakers, actors, world leaders, etc… So I’ll just list 5 ‘famous’ inspirations and 5 personal ones such as family and friends… Famous: Socrates (edgy), Christopher Nolan, Louis C.K., Felix Kjellberg, and Martin Scorsese. Personal: Brayden Stevenson, Nathan Wilkins, Chad LeBaron, Denise Wilkins-Leader, and David Leader.

Do you like being ‘behind the scenes’ or ‘talent’ more?

Talent is always more enjoyable for me, unless I am the director, then I like to be behind the scenes. I don’t really enjoy cinematography as much as either acting or directing.

What are some of your personal goals for your YouTube channel and social media in the future? Do you hope to eventually pursue video creation and comedy full time?

I want to pursue filmmaking full time, but yes start with videos and comedy full time. My goals for social media is to get further from it, social media is toxic for your brain I believe, too much distraction and comparison. YouTube, I would like to be able to make a living off of first.

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Have you ever received hate or negative comments surrounding your social media and YouTube presence? If so, how do you deal with negativity?

Someone once told me that you have to “not give a fuck” and that doesn’t mean just towards the negative, that also means towards the positive. Neither should ever affect you and your work. My niece when she was 7 told me that: “People are just mean because they are jealous.” It’s cliche, again, but it’s very much so true.

What is your biggest piece of advice for someone wanting to pursue YouTube or another creative outlet?

Be fucking authentic. There’s a lot of people who call themselves comedians on the internet, and

they aren’t. It’s so oversaid, but seriously be yourself. Also don’t be a bitch. If your goals from doing something creative is women, money, cars, etc… go fuck yourself.

What’s next for Ryan Leader?

Not trying to ‘toot my own horn’, but, a lot is in store for my future. I plan to do a lot and I’ve already started.

KEEP UP WTIH RYAN:

Instagram: @ryantheleader //

YouTube: youtube.com/ryantheleader