Acting: a simple word to describe the ability to become someone completely unfamiliar by using personal experience.  Being seen in the movies and on TV may be a dream to many people, but for Ryan Mitchell it is a reality and a life goal.

His passion began in acting classes when he was eleven years old, and with the support of his parents and grandparents, led him to California in 2012.  On a six month excursion, from January to June, Ryan went on many auditions and even landed roles on TV and in movie productions.

Before auditions, actors and actresses receive a set of lines to practice. Every character is different, they can range anywhere from dramatic to comedic.

“I have to be in the character, and feel what that character is feeling,” Mitchell said, “acting is a lot about reacting to other characters and portraying certain emotions through that character.”

Discouragement doesn’t come easily to Ryan, and he understands that he can’t be cast for every role he tries for.  Sometimes directors are just looking for something different, or think someone else would be a better fit with the other characters.  He remains confident that if an actor or actress likes how they are performing, then there is no need to try and change what they are doing.

“If you just keep pushing forward and trying your hardest, then you’ll get through it,” Mitchell said.

The effort that Ryan has put into his acting career, has come great rewards that could possibly allow him future opportunities.  He considered his role in Superman his first breakthrough, showing future casting directors he was capable of being in serious productions.

“It set my acting career in line for bigger roles,” Mitchell said.

Since then he has starred in a movies titled Jobe’s Daughter ,expected to come out this winter and The Unmiracles, expected to come February of next year.  He was also seen on a web series called The zeros and on the Nickelodeon series Awesomeness TV.

Leaving the casts’ of these was difficult for Ryan, after getting to know each individual actor outside of their characters.

“We bonded over our love for acting, and it was hard to leave such a great group of people. I can only hope I meet some of them down the road,” Mitchell said.

Ryan hopes his career will mirror the careers of actors like Shia Labeouf; an underdog who started out on TV shows and worked his way up to being a well known set actor.

Ryan Mitchell provides the proof that the gap between an everyday dream and reality can be filled with perseverance, dedication, and an overwhelming passion.