For more than twelve years, Ryan E. Heppe has been writing, producing, editing and directing feature motion pictures, film shorts, industrial and educational videos, commercials and documentaries. Ryan began his sojourn into the world of entertainment at a small PBS affiliate in east central Illinois where he spent several years creatively collaborating with the permanent staff and involving himself with everything from set design and construction to directing documentaries and live television broadcasts. In early 1999, Ryan packed his bags and moved west to Los Angeles, California where he immediately snagged an internship with legendary movie producer David Foster (III) (Getaway, The (1972), Mask of Zorro, The (1998), Short Circuit (1986)) at his production company. In only a few short months, Ryan climbed his way to the coveted position of Head of Development and became creatively involved with Foster's current productions at the time: Collateral Damage (2002) starring Arnold Schwarzenegger for Warner Bros., Hart's War (2002) starring Bruce Willis and Colin Farrell (I) for MGM, and Core, The (2003) starring Aaron Eckhart and Hilary Swank for Paramount. During production on The Core, Ryan pulled double-duty by not only working with David Foster, but also working with original screenwriter and co-producer Cooper Layne and co-producer Sean Bailey. In late 2003, Ryan left David Foster Productions as an employee and began to find and develop his own material. He is currently producing a remake of the slasher film Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984); an independent werewolf film currently titled Legacy; an as-of-yet untitled production with horror legend John Carpenter (I); and numerous other projects in various stages of development. At the same time, Ryan has partnered with his wife, Amy Beth Heppe, to form Knightime Pictures LLC, a company devoted to making high-quality, low-budget motion pictures. Under that banner he is working on a low-budget horror film titled Stalked that will mark his directorial debut. Ryan E. Heppe, a native of Central Illinois, grew up with ambitions of becoming a motion picture director like his idols Wes Craven (Hills Have Eyes, The (1977), Nightmare on Elm Street, A (1984)) and the late Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Shining, The (1980)). After graduating from Heritage High School, he spent several years working in television production before heading to California. He resides in Los Angeles where he can often be seen screaming his head off for the L.A. Dodgers or quietly enjoying The Barber of Seville at the L.A. Opera House. Heppe is an avid bowler; enjoys a tasty bottle of wine; and spends as much time as he possibly can with his beautiful wife.
