Friday, January 4

Interview with Ben Schyan

Ben Schyan is an actor and comedian living in Southern California.

La Libertad:  How long have you been acting?

Ben Schyan:     I've been acting since I was in the second grade. Over the course of my life, I've done theatre and film.  I majored in acting in College, where I was introduced to the business side of “show business”.  There is a world of difference between the act of performing….and being the sole proprietor of your own acting business. Most people get into acting for the former, and not for the latter. 

La Libertad:  What got you started as an actor?

Ben Schyan:   When I was in elementary school, we had to do a play about our founding fathers…..and the other kids got, maybe a couplet to say, such as "if we keep fighting , one thing's clear, we'll never accomplish anything here"   I however, was given the preamble to the constitution to memorize….at age 8!!!! It took me a while, but when I finally had it down pat, and I walked up to the Microphone and said it. I just stood there afterwards, and I didn't know why……then I heard one person clap, then another, and before I knew it, they were giving me a standing ovation, and I was thinking, "wow, I made them do that, this is incredible" and from that day forward, my dream was born!

La Libertad:  Any funny on-set stories?

Ben Schyan:   A few years ago, I was standing in Line to get lunch on set, and the crew allowed a whole bunch of SAG People to cut in front of us in line, since they were union, and at the time, some of us weren’t. So one person in the back of the line said to them, "Enjoy your twenty two hundred dollar steak subs"  To which, one of the SAG Actors responded "Enjoy your 64 for 8 salary".   It made for an awkward moment, but I’m sure it was funny to someone who wasn't involved.  

La Libertad:  Any horror stories?

Ben Schyan:  I was on set at 8 o'clock in the morning for a movie. And it was at a lake, right where the ocean waves were splashing onto the beach. And it was in January, and my character had to wear a speedo, and get a spray tan.  Let's just say I have NEVER been that cold since I moved to LA 3 years ago!! Never! It was FREEZING COLD.  Freezing!!! I was so cold, I was talking with the other actors about being warm!!! We had a discussion about fire places, and hot chocolate. And, Let’s just say, I discovered a new word that day…."nippsicles" 

La Libertad:  Who have you really enjoyed working with?

Ben Schyan:  I must say one of my favorite jobs was working on "The Muppet Movie"   with Jason Sagel. It was truly an incredible experience to be right beside all of our favorite childhood characters, I actually was placed right next to Scooter, and the puppeteer made him talk to me. I felt so lucky to be a part of something as special as the muppets.  And in-between takes, the puppeteers would make the muppets look at each other, and just nod their heads, as if to say “good job guys”.   Absolutely hilarious! 

La Libertad:  What was your favorite role?
Ben Schyan:  My Favorite Role was the movie that I wrote and starred in with my best friend, Robert Matthews Jr.! It was called “R&B. No Contest, A Karaoke Saga”. And It was about two guys doing Karaoke, and the adventures they get into. We built that project from the ground up.  We both starred in it, and premiered it at a theatre called "The Charles Theatre"  which is located in Maryland. The same Theatre John Waters uses to premier his movies.  That's as high as you can get when it comes to movie premieres in Maryland. 

La Libertad:  What other languages do you speak

Ben Schyan:  ust-jay ig-pay atin-lay

La Libertad:  Where have you traveled to?

Ben Schyan:  I visited Jerusalem when I was 20 years old.  I was able to go for free due to a program called "Birthright".  It's an organization that considers it a Jewish person's birthright to travel to Israel. So I went for 10 days. It was an incredible experience.  Of course, now it’s all a blur, since the days were so filled with running around trying to cram in as much as possible.  We visited about 5 or 6 cities in the week and  a half I was there.  I've also been to Bermuda. I went with my best friends, truly one of the most beautiful places in the world. A small, rich man's island, but ideal to get away to somewhere tropical, especially for those who live in the east coast. 

La Libertad:  What other talents do you have?

Ben Schyan:  I am a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, so I know how to perform massage therapy.  And I can snap my fingers with my first finger. No one else in the world can do it.  And if they can try, it doesn't sound as good as me! 

La Libertad:  Any upcoming projects?

Ben Schyan:  My best friend and I are currently writing the sequel to the aforementioned movie we created five years ago. We want to call it “R&B No Contest. 2 Tone Def”.  So We hope to put that on the silver screen in the next 5 years.  Other then that, I’m just auditioning as much as possible, and hope to book something soon. 

La Libertad:  What are your goals for your career?

Ben Schyan:  My goals for the future are to make a steady living in Acting. And ideally, to get cast in a comedy sitcom, similar to "The Big Bang Theory". I feel like I am one of those guys, and I always feel safe and entertained while watching that show! I want to be someone who stands the test of time, instead of being a flash in the pan.

La Libertad:Any links you'd like to share?

Ben Schyan:  Yes.
Please feel free to visit my youtube page at


My Audition for the Show Teen Wolf is posted at
Feel free to vote for me. I love that show as well! 

My Website is in the works. Thank you all for reading my interview! 

Interview by Libertad Green
Photography by Libertad Green 

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