EXCLUSIVE ‘It was a heavy, dark world’: Jake Ryan put on 20kg and met with ex-gang members to prepare for Kiwi film Savage – but insists the movie doesn’t glorify crime or violence
Former Home and Away star Jake Ryan plays a heavily tattooed, rough-as-guts gang member in the powerful new Kiwi movie, Savage.
The Australian actor, 37, gained 20kg and met with ex-gang members in New Zealand while deep diving into the dark role.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Jake said: ‘Not only physically, but emotionally going down into that world is a heavy, dark world… it took a bit of a toll on me.’
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EXCLUSIVE ‘It was a heavy, dark world’: Former Home and Away star Jake Ryan (pictured) put on 20kg and met with ex-gang members to prepare for New Zealand film Savage
Inspired by the true stories of New Zealand’s street gangs across 30 years, Jake’s character Danny is shown at three defining moments in his life as he grows from a boy into the violent enforcer of a gang.
Jake insists the story has more heart and soul than it would appear in the trailers, as it charts how many youth went from violent family homes to abusive state care in the 80s, and insists it’s not a glorification of gang violence.
‘I met these ex-gang members who had suffered abuse in state homes, it was a pretty dark road. It took a bit of a toll on me, but it’s such an important story that everyone needs to understand and see,’ Jake said.
His initial worries about meeting with the men quickly faded, as he said: ‘They were all really lovely, and apart from their tattoos they were very unassuming. Having 60 year-old grown men shedding tears talking about their childhood was an incredible experience. It gave me the substance to humanise these characters.’
‘I met these ex-gang members who had suffered abuse in state homes, it was a pretty dark road’: Jake insists the film has more heart and soul than it would appear in the trailers, and does not glorify gang violence
‘It took a bit of a toll on me – but it’s a dream role’: While the Australian actor, 37, says the role was one of the most challenging he’s ever done, it has also been the most rewarding
Not in Summer Bay anymore! For Jake’s role as the sergeant-at-arms of the Savages, faux tattoos ‘savage’ and ‘poneke’ (the Maori name for Wellington) were placed across his face
For Jake’s role as the sergeant-at-arms of the Savages gang, faux tattoos ‘savage’ and ‘poneke’ (the Maori name for Wellington) were placed across his face.
Cultural advisor Wayne Hapi, a former gang member-turned-actor, also helped Jake and the other actors with accurate portrayals on screen.
When developing his character, Jake was also asked by Director Sam Kelly to walk through a local shopping centre in full costume and makeup.
‘People were parting ways and big groups of guys that I would find very intimidating were trying not to make eye contact. It gave me a sense of the isolation and disconnect from society. It was a really interesting experience,’ Jake reflected.
‘People were parting ways and trying not to make eye contact’: Jake was also asked to walk through a local shopping centre in full costume and makeup when developing his character
Candles, music and meditation: Admitting that ‘diving in deep’ to the role was tough at times, Jake said he and his makeup artist created ‘little rituals’ to wind down after a day on set
Admitting that ‘diving in deep’ to the role was tough at times, Jake said he and his makeup artist created ‘little rituals’ to wind down after a tense day on set.
‘A beautiful space was set up with music and candles and just some simple nice things that sort of calm you down and take you out of that world. There was also a lot of meditation and sleeping it off,’ he said.
‘At the same time I was having such an amazing time doing it. It’s a dream role. You work for 10-15 years as an actor to have the opportunity for a role like this. As hard as it was, I was thoroughly enjoying the process of it, and the work.’
SAVAGE will release in Australian cinemas on October 8, 2020.
Coming soon: Savage will release in Australian cinemas on October 8, 2020