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| Fan of the Month - Josh Ryan Evans |
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As you all know by now, we have lost a very special member of our Oddworld family. Josh Ryan Evans, age 20 passed away on August 5, 2002. Josh was a unique and talented individual who "Dreamed Big" and succeeded even bigger. His sense of humor, ever-present smile, and courageous spirit will continue to inspire us to dream big on his behalf. Josh took a break from "Passions" to spend some time playing games with Lorne Lanning at this year's E3 convention last May. We will miss you Josh. Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your career? JE: I'm 19 years old. My hometown is Hayward, California. I've been acting for about 6 years. I'm currently starring in the NBC daytime drama "Passions". You can read my full biography at my web site www.joshryanevans.org Q: Where did you meet Lorne Lanning, Cofounder/Creator of Oddworld? JE: It was July '95. I just moved to Venice, California to pursue an acting career. I was buying a leather jacket in a store when I struck up a conversation with Lorne. He invited my mom and me to tour Rhythm & Hues. He showed us the Coca-Cola Polar Bears that were done in Computer Graphics. I was amazed. He then showed me Seafari. I was amazed that someone could think up something like the sea monster. Seafari is this all cg. It's a interactive ride like Back to the Future but underwater. I never saw anything like it. I'm a big fan of imaginative works. That's why I'm interested in movies, television, art and video games. Show business isn't reality. That day, I became a fanatic. Lorne and I made a connection. We talked for hours about different worlds. I asked him how he comes up with these ideas. He told me sometimes he dreams about it. I understood that, I have big dreams myself. Q: When did you first become a "true" Oddworld fanatic? JE: It's kind of strange. It seems like both Oddworld and I evolved at the same time! Lorne kept telling me he was creating a way different world. He kept using the word "empire". He would tell me his plans and they sounded so wildly imaginative and cool. In the meantime, I appeared on the hit show, Ally McBeal. Then I saw a videotape of Abe's Oddysee. Then I became a true Oddworld fanatic! All the ideas Lorne had told me about were now a video game! I played Abe's Oddysee and couldn't believe it! When I called Lorne he told me that it was just the beginning. Q: Do you play the games on the set when you're working? JE: I work on the set of Passions 5 days a week, 10 to 12 hour days so I don't get much time to play games anymore. Maybe a half an hour or so. Q: What does your family/friends think of your fascination with Oddworld? JE: My Mom is a huge fan of Oddworld too! She doesn't even like video games. She thinks they are a mindless waste of time. I've played Abe's Oddysee for over 3 hours and she's never tapped her foot. She usually taps her foot when I'm playing video games after 20 minutes or so. My Mom and I feel like proud parents whenever we see or hear about Oddworld. Oddworld use to be a dream of Lorne's, now it's reality! I had no idea he would create such a big empire! Q: Who is your favorite character and why? JE: Abe! He's a normal guy. He had dreams then they came true. Munch is cool. He's cute too. Q: Who is your favorite villain? JE: Scrabs! I hate hearing them walk. When Abe chants they have that horrible screech! Q: What's your favorite environment/level? SA: The Outside Forest. I love it when Abe needs to use the Elum. Elum is distracted and licks honey, then he's attacked by bees. Q: How do you feel about Oddworld's decision to be exclusively on the XBox? JE: O.K. by me! I guess I'm getting an Xbox! Now that I've had a little success in acting, I can afford multiple systems. I love Oddworld games on the Gameboy too. I can be patient too. It's kind of like waiting for Christmas all year. Before you know it, it's here! My mom and I watched a tape of CES on the news twice. I couldn't believe it, it's Bill Gates...and...Munch! Q: If you could play one of the characters in a movie which one would it be? JE: I'd like to play Munch. He's small and cute, like me! My message to Lorne is, We actors know you can create characters on your own but we need jobs too! We embrace you..let's work together! : ) I think Munch is underestimated, like me. Q: Anything you would like to say to your fellow Oddworld fans? JE: Never give up on your dreams. Dream as big as you can. My motto is "It's not the size of the dreamer, it's the size of the dream." And... if you don't like the world... create a new one like Oddworld! Visit Josh's website www.joshryanevans.org |