Ryan Heffernan

October, 2017
James Bond, Lord of the Rings, Horror
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About Ryan Heffernan

Ryan Heffernan is a Senior Writer at Collider. Storytelling has been one of his interests since an early age, with his appreciation for film and television becoming a particular interest of his during his teenage years. 

This passion saw Ryan graduate from the University of Canberra in 2020 with an Honours Degree in Film Production. In the years since, he has found freelance work as a videographer and editor in the Canberra region while also becoming entrenched in the city's film-making community. 

In addition to cinema and writing, Ryan's other major interest is sport, with him having a particular love for Australian Rules football, Formula 1, and cricket. He also has casual interests in reading, gaming, and history.

Favorite Media

Ryan's first loves in film were tied to adventure and fantasy storytelling, with the Lord of the Rings trilogy being among his favorite movies from an early age. Over time, he has developed a great appreciation for many pictures throughout the history of the medium. 

Ranging from the pioneering masters like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin to modern-day greats like Christopher Nolan and Steven Spielberg, Ryan holds a great admiration for the most gifted and ambitious storytellers in film history. 

This appreciation also extends into television, with his love for such series as The WireThe Sopranos, and Mad Men highlighting his interest in engrossing drama and exceptional writing. 

Ryan's favorite films in recent years are ParasiteInterstellar, and The Grand Budapest Hotel. His favorite films of all time include City LightsCasablancaIt's a Wonderful Life, and Cinema Paradiso

Industry Experience

Ryan graduated from the University of Canberra with an Honours Degree in Film Production in 2020 with a major in creative writing. In the following years, he found work as a freelance videographer and editor in the Canberra region. 

In the years since earning his Honours Degree, Ryan has been an active participant in Canberra's film-making community, working on numerous sets as a Gaffer, Grip, and P.A. while also striving to become a writer-director himself. 

In 2024, he worked on the Australian feature film Snatchers while also gaining experience in Canberra's short film community and taking crew jobs in Sydney and the South Coast region. Ryan aspires to further broaden his horizons in the industry going forward while making new connections with like-minded filmmakers and continuing to utilize his analytical eye for Collider. 

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