Pop Culturalist Chats with The Samuel Project’s Ryan Ochoa

Ryan Ochoa is an exciting fresh face leading the next wave of up-and-coming actors ready to make their marks on the industry. For his latest film, The Samuel Project, Ryan’s character, Eli, is a young man who has aspirations of becoming an artist, much to the disapproval of his family. It’s a breakout performance that will strike a chord with anyone who’s ever dared to dream. It’s also a project that’s near and dear to Ryan’s heart because it combines his other passion in life: music. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to sit down and chat with Ryan about the film.

PC: Tell us about The Samuel Project, your character, and what drew you to this role.
Ryan: The Samuel Project is about a teenager named Eli who connects with his grandfather, Samuel, for the first time after he makes him the subject of his art project for school. I play Eli, a senior in high school who aspires to be a professional artist one day. He struggles to convince his father and grandfather that he can make a career out of art. There is a lot that drew me to the role, generally speaking from an actor’s point of view, but one big reason was the dynamic between the grandson and grandfather. I was fascinated reading the script and as a film geek, I was anxious to see how that would work on screen. We rarely see films with heartfelt stories like this and the addition of art was the secret ingredient to make this even better.

PC: Like you just said, Eli is involved in the arts, much to the disapproval of his father. How similar is Eli’s experience with your own? How did you get into that mindset?
Ryan: I can’t say it’s similar to my experience with my father because I’ve been blessed with the most supportive parents who believe in anything I want to do. I do know his struggle of having those around him disapprove of his dream though, which is part of why I connected with him on many levels. Eli is given doubt about being a professional artist. The same happened to me ever since I started acting and sadly, it continues to happen. There will always be those people who doubt what you aspire to do, so I know how Eli feels when his dream is nearly pushed aside.

PC: An assignment at school leads Eli to connect with his grandfather. If you could connect with someone in your life, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Ryan: I wish I got the chance to meet my Grandma Gina (my dad’s mom) and my Grandpa Dennis (my mom’s dad). I was only six-months-old when my Grandma Gina passed, so at least she got to meet me, and my grandpa passed when my mom was a little girl. As I get older, my parents tell me how I carry so many of their qualities. My dad tells me how my grandma loved movies and roller coasters like me [laughs], so the fact that I chose to be in the film industry would be so cool to her. My mom says how my grandpa would flip (literally…he was a gymnast) because his grandkids were almost as cool as him! [laughs] He was an artist just like Eli, a gymnast, and he LOVED football, which is my favorite sport! He was a big SF 49er fan, so we would have had a lot of fun rival talks being that my team is right across the Bay! [laughs] It seems like I am a mix of them both, so I just wish I could see for myself.

PC: What was it like working alongside Hal Linden? Did he share any words of wisdom?
Ryan: I think a major reason this film and experience mean so much to me is because of Mr. Hal Linden, considering he was another reason I was drawn to the project. It is crazy to me how much of an impact he has made on so many people, and I know because he has on my life now, as well. He taught me so much, probably more than I can ever express, but he made it a point to tell me how important it is to do stage work. I do not want to say a wrong number, but he has done endless amounts of plays and said I need to do one, so who knows if that is in my future. Let’s just say I am one lucky actor to say I have worked with another legend!

PC: You’re also part of the band, The Ochoa Boyz, and have original music in the film. What was it like combining both your passions and what can you tease about the track?
Ryan: It is already the best being able to do music with my brothers, but now we have a song in a movie—a movie that I’m in! Does it get any better? [laughs] It’s wild to think how I got the opportunity to incorporate both of my passions in the same project. This is my first film where our music is actually featured in the movie! I know how to tease our music too! [laughs] There’s a scene where my character is driving Samuel [Hal Linden], so our director, Marc Fusco, knew this was where he could use some Ochoa Boyz hip-hop-hype to showcase the type of music the younger generation listens to. The song is called “Party in the Street” and it is a dream come true for all of us Boyz to hear our music on the big screen.

PC: What was your favorite scene to film? What was the most difficult?
Ryan: I have too many favorites! [laughs] Every scene was fun in its own way. I’ll give you three different answers. One of my favorites is when Eli and Samuel are eating on the beach. It’s such an honest scene and the first real conversation between them. Another is definitely the wasabi scene with Mateo! It combines comedy with a friendly conversation, which I feel is a good example of a real conversation friends would have. Lastly, I really love all the scenes with animation sequences. Being a filmmaker myself, I find the post-production work extra interesting, which makes those scenes with green screen effects so amazing! Now on the other hand, one of the most difficult scenes was one I was counting down the days to film. It is the scene where Eli shows his project to Kasim for the first time. I don’t want to give too much away, but it is a moment that a lot of people have when it comes to their work, so I wanted everyone to relate to it.

PC: Besides The Samuel Project, do you have any other upcoming projects you can chat about?
Ryan: I try to keep myself busy all the time, so I am always working on something. Lately, I have been behind the camera a lot more, as I am filming music videos for other upcoming artists. I love helping others, so any way I can contribute to help them achieve their dreams, I do. My bros and I are working on some secret projects that we will eventually announce! [laughs] As far as acting, I have a big Netflix series coming out and another series with some really big names coming, too! There’s lots to look forward to.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ryan: Avatar: The Last Airbender

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Ryan: The Twilight Saga

PC: Favorite book?
Ryan: Ender’s Game

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Ryan: The Lion King

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ryan: Eminem

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Ryan: The Good Doctor

PC: Hidden talent?
Ryan: I have been told I can hold my breath underwater for a long time.

Make sure to follow Ryan on Twitter and Instagram, and catch The Samuel Project when it hits theaters on October 5th.