Hi My Name is Ryan (2008)

Andrew Jemsek, Emily Spetrino-Murtagh, Ryan Avery, Tristan Jemsek, Wayne Michael Reich

A cherubic Arizona artist attempts to reconcile his ambitions as an entertainer with his dedication to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and filmmakers Paul Eagleston and Stephen Rose d... read more ocument the dynamic personal struggle that ensues in this portrait of an outsider artist determined to become a breakthrough success. Ryan Avery is many things: he's a singer for an anti-family thrash band called Father's Day, one-half of an a cappella singing duo called The Best Friends, and an actor in the Phoenix-based improve troupe Catorce. His most personal project is an "open diary" entitled "Hi My Name is Ryan," and he also draws and paints. While Avery has the appearance of an pubescent boy due to a hormone deficiency known as hypopituitarism which stalled his growth, he hasn't allowed the disorder to slow his development as an artist. Now, as Avery prepares to embark on his Mormon mission and spread the word of Joseph Smith, he struggles with the prospect of having to put his art on hold in order to pursue a higher calling. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi