Bas Rynsewyn
He played in James Cochrane‘s Dollar Baby Here There Be Tygers as Mr.Bird.
SKSM: Could you start with telling me a bit about yourself? Who are you and what do you do?
Bas Rynsewyn: Ok I moved to Canada when I was five with my parents and two sisters. We took a boat from Rotterdam (my place of birth and day of birth September 1, 1958) to Montreal, Canada. Then we took a train across Canada to Prince George British Columbia, where I have lived off and on till the present. I run a small theatre company that specializes in original scripts and I teach theatre and acting to a variety of skill and age levels.
SKSM: How did you become involved in Here There Be Tygers?
Bas Rynsewyn: James Cochrane was member of my theatre company and when he was looking for a co-producer for the film I said yes.
SKSM: Did you have to audition for the part or was it written directly for you?
Bas Rynsewyn: When I said yes to being a producer for the film I asked James to be the part of Mr Bird he agreed.
SKSM: You worked with James Cochrane on this film, how was that?
Bas Rynsewyn: Here There Be Tygers was James first reall attempt at film making and alot of it was experimentation for him. We have been friends and associates in other projects so it was a real fun time for us.
SKSM: Was there any funny or special moment when they made the movie that you would like to tell me about?
Bas Rynsewyn: We shot the film in an empty school during the hottest part of the summer. The school was closed for summer hoildays so they had turned off all the air conditioners etc. I was wearing a tweed jacket and shirt & tie amking the filming incredibly hot for me. Each time cut was called I would remove my jacket and drink a bottle of water before the next take, this of course turned me into a human sprinkler.
SKSM: Do you still have any contact with the crew/cast from that time? If so with who?
Bas Rynsewyn: David Quast worked on the film is also a good friend. Currently he is living in my house trying to save some money to go back to school to study theatre. He and I have colaborated on several projects together either writing plays or performing.
SKSM: What did you do after Here There Be Tygers?
Bas Rynsewyn: I continued on with my business. Several of the kids in the film were students of mine in theatre studies. I am also currently working on finishing a script to be produced next autumn.
SKSM: Students of the Dutch Film Academy are also making a movie that’s based on this story. You also have a connection with Holland. Is this special to you?
Bas Rynsewyn: I always think about going back to Holland for an extended stay. My last trip back I decided that I should be working on getting a dual citizenship with Holland/Canada. As far as a film based on the story, that would be fabulous, there are so many different ways of interpreting King’s work.
SKSM: Are you (or were you) a fan of Stephen King’s work?
Bas Rynsewyn: I can’t say that I am a really big fan. I enjoyed his Bachman books. I feel that sometimes his stories don’t come to a satisfactory ending for me. But who am I to talk look at his success compared to mine.
SKSM: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. Is there anything else you want to say to the fans that read this interview?
Bas Rynsewyn: I am truly honoured that the time was taken to even look me up. There are so many stories out there to put on to the big screen and some many talented people doing it. I think that a dream is only limited by your own imagination.
