We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ryan Baker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ryan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

Growing up, I was a very lonely child. My friends were sparse, and so I’d often find myself lost in movies. I’d become friends with the characters I grew to adore. I began making my own movies at age 13, with the grainy, horrible quality of an iPhone 4 camera. Initially, they were simple; one-shot films with barely any plot. So I began to write screenplays at age 14, creating a mental shot list for each new project. Soon after, I’d realize my short film would be better with a score, and so I learned how to make music. Then I’d make my next short, and realize that some proper lighting would help it – so I studied the art of film lighting. Over the course of time, I became a writer, director, composer, editor, gaffer, and actor. And the best way to show my stories to the world? Become a legitimate company, and allow others to join me on my journey to create unforgettable and quality stories, whether that be in any format. Phoenix Fire was thus born: from musicals to songs to short films to features, we are always busy creating – and across all mediums. We do it all.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started off taking odd jobs as a PA. I manned lights, filled in for sound guys, and even did extra work. These were the “grunt days,” as I now refer to them, AKA the “footing days.” People neglect this period and jump straight for “bossman CEO,” but allow me to invent this true and relevant adage: “You cannot build your own kingdom without first burrowing in the dirt and paving the road in.” From these odd jobs, I learned how a film set operates, and also met connections I still have to this day, people that are friends and colleagues and that mean the world to me.

Phoenix Fire isn’t a corporate entity churning out the next blockbusters. We’re a small fry growing bigger. We have a feature film in production, Unhinged, a violent and frightening homage to ’80s slashers. On the side, we have a musical in workshop called The Love and Death Saga, an epic tale a la Les Miserables that spans over the course of a century and tells the tale of a deathly fated romance and a demon lady that takes the souls of dead men. What’s not to love? On the side-side, we have an abundance of short films to soon emerge, and a horror web series called KorvidKraft that has just bloomed with its first few entries. We’re on all social media platforms – so follow us, and we’ll love you forever.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve always been a person with a heart too large. Sure, I can be calloused, but who can’t? I began Phoenix Fire wanting to give everybody an opportunity to join my team. I assembled a huge base of collaborators and helpers, always attempting to give the little guy a chance. And I found myself trusting far too easily. I learned through a couple of bad apples that, A) unfortunately, you can’t help everybody, and B) not everyone DESERVES your kindness. I was taken for granted, sabotaged, and have had more than a few broken contracts. My heart is still full of love for all, but I’ve learned that being a businessman is just as important as being a good man, and you must let logic influence your decisions. An emotional boss is a company-killer.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

I once took on six projects at once: those were a feature film, a musical, two short films, a webseries, and a music album. Pro-tip? Don’t. Pace yourself. Breathe. Don’t overwork yourself or others. Prosper.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenix.fire.productions/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pf.productions11
• Twitter: https://x.com/pfproductions11?s=11
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5q0kDBgs157zkkGivgv1FQ
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@phoenix.fire11?lang=en

Image Credits

Zad Alattar.
Ryan Elias Baker.
Jaden Valencia.