Meet Ryan Holowesko | Writer, Director, Owner of Same Kid Productions

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ryan Holowesko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ryan, how do you think about risk?
Risk has never been something I’ve avoided—if anything, it’s been a compass. I grew up in a small, rural town in Connecticut, where the idea of becoming a filmmaker wasn’t just unconventional—it was unheard of. My family doesn’t have any artists or creatives, so when I expressed my dreams of writing, acting, and directing films, there was no roadmap to follow, no legacy to inherit. Still, something in me knew that I had to chase this path, no matter how uncertain or unstable it seemed.

Eight years ago, I took my biggest leap: I moved to Los Angeles without ever having set foot in the city. I had no safety net, no connections, and no guarantees—just a gut feeling that this was where I needed to be. That decision set the tone for how I would approach the rest of my career: intuitively, passionately, and with an unwavering belief in my vision, no matter the cost.

And the costs have been real. I’ve been evicted, broke, jobless, and forced to miss out on important moments in friends’ and family’s lives. I’ve risked comfort, stability, and financial security more times than I can count—all for the chance to make my dreams come true. These weren’t reckless gambles; they were calculated decisions rooted in the belief that what I was building mattered. I’ve learned that risk is not just about danger—it’s about potential. It’s about betting on yourself when no one else will.

Being a creative means constantly walking that fine line between fear and possibility. Every script I write, every role I take, every scene I direct involves a level of vulnerability that most people avoid. But I’ve learned to embrace that vulnerability, because that’s where the real work happens. Most recently, I took the biggest financial and emotional risk of my life by self-funding my first feature-length horror film. There was no studio backing me, no big-name producer giving me a green light—just me, my vision, and my savings. It was terrifying. But it was also one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.

To me, risk isn’t just part of the creative journey—it is the journey. Every step I’ve taken, from leaving my hometown to building a life in an industry that rarely guarantees anything, has been a conscious choice to lean into the unknown. Not every risk pays off, but every risk teaches me something. I’ve learned how to trust my instincts, how to fail forward, and how to keep moving even when the road gets dark.

Life doesn’t come with guarantees, but I’ve found that the greatest rewards lie just on the other side of fear. For me, risk is not just a necessary evil—it’s a way of life. And if I had to do it all over again, I’d take the same chances. Because I’m not just chasing success—I’m chasing truth, creativity, and the kind of life that only becomes possible when you bet on yourself.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art lives in the tension between chaos and clarity. I write stories that start off simple, even quiet—but before you know it, the shit hits the fan, the can of worms is opened, Pandora’s box is unsealed. There’s no turning back, only moving forward. What makes my work unique is that it’s loose, fun, and fast-moving, yet still rooted in the kind of difficult conversations most people avoid—moral dilemmas, philosophical tension, the gray areas of being human.

Sam Kid Productions began as a promise to myself: to stay true to the kid who had the dream. At first, it was just a name, a concept, a way to anchor myself. But over time, it became the vessel for everything I create. I’ve lived on friends’ couches, sold my car to pay rent, and stared down doubt more times than I can count. But each of those experiences sharpened my focus and forged the mindset I have today—one that only accepts forward motion, no matter the obstacles.

What I’m most proud of is how I’ve stayed real in a world that constantly tries to shape you into something else. My stories are unfiltered and unafraid. I want the world to know that Sam Kid Productions isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about truth, reflection, and growth. If my work can make someone laugh, think, and feel all in the same breath, then I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles is an incredible city, full of energy, flavor, and surprises. Sure, we have some of the best food in the world and a semi-thriving nightlife—but where we really shine is brunch. Any given day in West Hollywood, you can find a drag brunch or a bottomless mimosa special happening somewhere. And once the sun sets, it’s easy to stumble into a nearby nightclub and keep the good vibes going late into the night.

When it comes to food, the options are endless. Every corner of the city has something amazing to offer. Bestia in Downtown LA will always have my heart, and just across the street, Damian serves some of the finest agave spirits you’ll ever taste. If you’re in the mood for dinner and a show, my friend Juan runs Level 8, where there’s always something unforgettable happening.

In East Hollywood, two of my favorite hidden gems are La Descarga and Jumbo’s Clown Room. At La Descarga, you can catch some incredible Cuban jazz and burlesque in a truly unique setting. And Jumbo’s… well, it speaks for itself.

But the biggest hidden gem of all? Shu Sushi on Beverly Glen. Their omakase is both untraditional and unbeatable—a true standout in a city packed with culinary stars.

LA is chaotic, loud, and ever-changing—but that’s what makes it so alive. There’s always something new to taste, see, or celebrate.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A couple of best pieces of advise that I’ve received are;
“”If you think that you could do it better, then show them. If you can’t do it, then you don’t deserve to critique it.
– Jack Warne
“You’re a big guy, I’m a big guy too so I know this. You are going to take up a lot of the screen, so everything that you do is going to look bigger. Nobody wants to see the big guy dominate, because they all know that you can, they want to see you be small. That’s where your emotions are going to show the most. When the big guy cries, no one feels sympathy. When the big guy tries his hardest not to cry but the tear still squeaks out. That’s acting. People want to see that. Figure out how to be small.”
– Brandon “BT” Thomas

Instagram: @ryanholowesko