For more than twelve years, Ryan E. Heppe has been writing, producing,
editing and directing feature motion pictures, film shorts, industrial
and educational videos, commercials and documentaries. Ryan began his
sojourn into the world of entertainment at a small PBS affiliate in
east central Illinois where he spent several years creatively
collaborating with the permanent staff and involving himself with
everything from set design and construction to directing documentaries
and live television broadcasts.
In early 1999, Ryan packed his bags and moved west to Los Angeles,
California where he immediately snagged an internship with legendary
movie producer David Foster
(The Getaway - Ihre Chance ist gleich null (1972),
Die Maske des Zorro (1998),
Nummer 5 lebt! (1986)) at his
production company. In only a few short months, Ryan climbed his way to
the coveted position of Head of Development and became creatively
involved with Foster's current productions at the time:
Collateral Damage - Zeit der Vergeltung (2002)
starring Arnold Schwarzenegger for
Warner Bros., Das Tribunal (2002)
starring Bruce Willis and
Colin Farrell for MGM, and
The Core - Der innere Kern (2003) starring
Aaron Eckhart and
Hilary Swank for Paramount. During
production on The Core, Ryan pulled double-duty by not only working
with David Foster, but also working with original screenwriter and
co-producer Cooper Layne and co-producer
Sean Bailey.
In late 2003, Ryan left David Foster Productions as an employee and
began to find and develop his own material. He is currently producing a
remake of the slasher film
Stille Nacht - Horror Nacht (1984);
an independent werewolf film currently titled Legacy; a remake of the
80's favorite Nummer 5 lebt! (1986);
and numerous other projects in various stages of development.
Ryan E. Heppe, a native of Central Illinois, grew up with ambitions of
becoming a motion picture director like his idols
Wes Craven
(Hügel der blutigen Augen (1977),
Nightmare: Mörderische Träume (1984))
and the late Stanley Kubrick
(2001 - Odyssee im Weltraum (1968),
Shining (1980)). After
graduating from Heritage High School, he spent several years working in
television production before heading to California. He resides in Los
Angeles where he can often be seen screaming his head off for the L.A.
Dodgers or quietly enjoying The Barber of Seville at the L.A. Opera
House. Heppe is an avid bowler; enjoys a tasty bottle of wine; and
spends as much time as he possibly can with his beautiful wife.
