Unveiling the Supernatural Partnership: AleXa and Mike Ryan Collaborate for a Captivating Ghosts of Ruin Interactive Animated Series at SDCC 2023

Summary

Ghosts of Ruin is an interactive animated series set in a dystopian San Francisco centered, where gamers compete in the Tournament of Ruin using immersive technology.

With an ensemble of talented actors like Rosario Dawson and K-pop sensation AleXa, the series provides fans with an incredible opportunity to actively shape the narrative by making decisions. This interactive feature allows fans to have their own faces integrated into deceased or terminally ill characters and make choices regarding props and dialogue lines.

Ghosts of Ruin is an innovative animated series that invites viewers to actively participate in the storytelling experience. Set in a dystopian version of San Francisco, the series revolves around the Tournament of Ruin, a grand Battle Royale that brings together the top one hundred gamers worldwide, utilizing cutting-edge immersive technology. However, when Lee, a newcomer, unexpectedly secures a spot in the tournament, he realizes that he may have bitten off more than he can chew as things take a sinister turn.

To make matters worse, something peculiar is amiss within the game, with players mysteriously meeting their demise both inside and outside of the virtual world. Ghosts of Ruin boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring renowned actors such as Rosario Dawson, Tony Revolori (known for his role in "Spider-Man: No Way Home"), Nathalie Emmanuel from "Game of Thrones," K-pop sensation AleXa, along with Josh Keaton, JB Blanc, John Eric Bentley, and Cherise Boothe. What sets Ghosts of Ruin apart is its groundbreaking ability to empower fans to directly influence the unfolding events of the series like never before.

Screen Rant caught up with AleXa and Mike Ryan at San Diego Comic-Con to discuss Ghosts of Ruin. Ryan provided an in-depth look at the new series and its interactive element, while AleXa shared insights about her character Juggernaut and the recording process for Ghosts of Ruin. Note: This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, acknowledging the essential contribution of the writers and actors from both unions in bringing this show to life.

AleXa & Mike Ryan Talk Ghosts Of Ruin

Screen Rant: Ghosts of Ruin appears to be incredibly fascinating. It is an interactive show that actively engages fans in decision-making, which is particularly exciting for me as I used to enjoy choose-your-own-adventure books as a child. Could you please provide some information about Ghosts of Ruin?

Michael Ryan: Ghosts of Ruin is a young adult animated series that exudes a gritty and dystopian vibe. It combines an abundance of action, compelling characters, and a touch of horror, as we have a genuine fondness for the genre.

The story is set in a tech-driven dystopia of San Francisco, where the Tournament of Ruin is about to introduce a new advanced technology called neural reality. A hundred of the world's top gamers, including the protagonist, will compete in a Battle Royale to showcase this game.

Lee, a nobody from the Cubes, unexpectedly wins a chance to participate in this exceptional event. However, he quickly realizes he is out of his depths, and things take a turn for the worse. Unbeknownst to them, a sinister presence within the game hunts the participants, systematically killing them. To survive, they must uncover the true nature of neural reality and unravel the mystery behind the malevolent monster.

That's absolutely amazing. AleXa, could you share some insights about the character you portray?

AleXa: Absolutely. I actually voice the character Juggernaut, and what's fascinating is that even before being cast, when I received the character description along with a preliminary sketch, I instantly felt a deep connection. I thought to myself, "Oh my goodness, this character embodies who I am. It would truly sadden me if I didn't get this role." And as fate would have it, everything fell into place, and I am incredibly grateful to be a part of it. Juggernaut is someone I adore. She resonates with me on a profound level, and we are intertwined in such a way that we truly become one.

This character brings an element of unpredictability to the story arc as the decisions are made by the fans. Let's discuss the various badges that fans can acquire. How can they earn the opportunity to appear on the show?

Michael Ryan: This aspect of community interaction is truly remarkable and one of my personal favorites. We offer fans the chance to participate in "Death Drops," which is particularly exciting. Since our show involves a lot of deaths and horror themes, we take pictures of the fans and use their faces for characters who meet their demise. This allows them to actually experience death within the game.

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Everyone has shown great appreciation for it. Additionally, we have various elements to engage the audience, such as voting on props and models. For instance, we ask questions like, "What color should Juggernaut's boots be?" and provide them with five options to select their preferred color. Dialogue choices have also been incorporated. AleXa has recorded four different dialogue lines, allowing fans to decide which one will be featured in the show as their favorite.

AleXa, it's not always predetermined where your character's storyline will lead, correct?

AleXa believes that while there is a general idea or overview of something, it is the small details like changes in dialogue that add a touch of excitement to it. These details bring life and vibrancy to the overall content.

In the world of animation, the challenges are abundant. What proves to be the most difficult aspect of bringing animation to life?

Michael Ryan: Making any animated show is a daunting task as you start from scratch, having to create everything from the script to the visual representation – whether on paper or digitally. Every component requires immense effort and holds equal significance in the process. Currently, our biggest hurdle in bringing this show to fruition lies in the demanding schedule we are working with. This accelerated timeline adds another layer of difficulty to the already arduous task of producing a high-quality show.

AleXa, what did you hope to bring to the character of Juggernaut that may not have been explicitly written in the script?

AleXa: The character description I was given was already very well done, to be honest. However, I couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility due to the talented people involved in the production, like Mike Ryan. I didn't want to disappoint someone who has achieved so much. Instead, I simply aimed to highlight and emphasize certain aspects of the character. I didn't want to add anything that wasn't already there, as I knew I shouldn't dare to make unnecessary changes. After all, who am I? Just a humble individual.

Michael Ryan: AleXa was absolutely perfect for the role of Juggernaut right from the start. Juggernaut is like a powerful fusion reactor encapsulated within a physical body, and AleXa embodies that perfectly. She exudes an incredible amount of fire and energy, which is just what the character required. In fact, she herself is like fire. It's a seamless fit. The combination of her high energy, fantastic sense of humor, and natural sassiness made it clear that she was meant for this role. We couldn't imagine anyone else doing it justice.

In what ways does this show stand out compared to your previous work experiences?

Michael Ryan emphasized that the major difference lies in the community aspect. Unlike previous shows where he and his team were isolated in studios and only interacted with fans when the show premiered years later, in this case, they immediately engaged with the community and fans. This interactive experience greatly enhanced the overall enjoyment. Moving on to the rest of the cast in Ghosts of Ruin, besides those present, who else can fans anticipate hearing from?

Michael Ryan: We are fortunate to have an incredible cast for this project. Rosario Dawson and Justin Long bring their exceptional talent and energy to the table. The recording sessions were a blast. In addition, we have the talented Michael Longfellow from SNL and esteemed actors John Bentley and Karen Strassman. While I can't disclose all the details just yet, we have another surprise casting that we will reveal in due time.

Are the recording sessions held collectively or individually?

AleXa: Personally, I am located in South Korea, which means that I have to handle everything by myself in the recording booth at a studio, connecting with them through Zoom calls. I constantly ask for their guidance and whether everything is working as expected. This is how my recording process usually takes place.

Could you discuss the lack of chemistry with your fellow actors?

AleXa: Absolutely. Although I haven't had the opportunity to meet them in person yet, I am eagerly looking forward to that day. However, even without personal interaction, I am confident that we, as a cast, will harmonize seamlessly and form a strong bond as a unified family on the show. So, yes.

Does walking down the Comic-Con floor and observing artists' alley and the incredible creators inspire you for Ghosts of Ruin?

What aspect of working on Ghosts of Ruin surprised both of you the most?

AleXa: Ooh, that's an excellent question. I can't really say for sure. I guess it was just the overall excitement I had anticipated because the project seemed like such a fun idea from the beginning. However, being in the recording booth and collaborating on these lines, receiving feedback about envisioning the scene with additional details, made the experience even more enjoyable than I had anticipated.

How does the audience's decision, which you may not necessarily agree with, affect your performance as a character? Does it change how you approach the character?

AleXa: It really depends. During the initial recording, we actually recorded four different versions of a particular line. Personally, I believe it impacts the plot more than it does my performance. I'm just grateful to be a part of it and enjoy the overall experience. So yeah, I'm here for the vibes.

Michael Ryan: I take responsibility for that question because Juggernaut is Juggernaut. We remain loyal to the essence of the character, and fortunately, the fans are just as dedicated. They would never compromise the integrity of AleXa or Juggernaut by pushing us to do something that doesn't align with their vision. However, as you mentioned, this places an additional burden on me to ensure that every decision we make moves us forward in a coherent manner, both for ourselves and for our devoted supporters.

About Ghosts Of Ruin

The narrative centers around a collective of gamers as they embark on an expedition within 'Ruin,' an innovative neural reality battle royal tournament game. Sadly, their blissful haven is abruptly transformed into a harrowing ordeal by an erratic program.

Ghosts of Ruin will be released in August 2023 through Gala Film's website, followed by a secondary release window on streaming platforms.