Hello Rayce, welcome to The Relatable Voice magazine! You began your journey in musical theatre at just seven years old. What inspired you to pursue acting?
Honestly, my mom. She noticed that I liked to perform and felt I might enjoy performing on stage. There was a local theater company nearby that did summer musical theatre camps, so she signed me up. I had no inhibitions when performing and was willing to do whatever opportunities my mom found for me. Those early experiences put me on the path I am on today.
What attracted you film? How does it differ from your time in theatre?
I realized that I did not enjoy musical theatre as much, because it required me to not only act but sing and dance as well. I have always enjoyed films, and I fell in love with that form of storytelling. Theatre is a live performance, and I feel you are more limited in what you can do and it is repetitive by nature. Film is a one-time intense process and then it’s over but there are really no limits on what can done in film.
With 22 films under your belt by the age of 15, which role or project stands out as the most memorable, and why?
If I were to pick a role that stands out it would be the part of Pablo in “Land’s End”. I loved this role but not necessarily because of the character but more because of my experience on set. I was going into my freshman year of high school, and I had registered for the filmmaking class at my school. I was not as excited about the class as I had hoped. When I was around the creatives who worked on “Land’s End” it changed me, and I came to respect the art of filmmaking more and ultimately I decided to put more effort into it.
In 2023, you appeared on Wheel of Fortune Teen Week. What was that experience like?
The experience was different than I expected. Throughout my entire life I always thought reality television shows were fake. Once you get up on that stage you realize everything is real. Crucial seconds play a big part in the show, and you cannot hesitate. I was thirteen, just barely a teen and grateful to be part of Teen Week which had not happened in years. I read somewhere online that the odds of getting on the show are 0.0006%. More than 1 million people apply each year to be a contestant, about 10,000 get an audition but only 600 make it onto the show. When you consider they only do Teen Week every so many years it makes the odds even greater to have been 1 of the 15 teens selected. It was an experience I will never forget and I’m glad I got to be on the show when Pat Sajak was still the host. Hopefully one day I can come back on the show for “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune”.
You’ve also stepped into the role of a red-carpet host. What do you enjoy most about interviewing others?
Acting is about expressing stories through characters. While interviewing people is about learning the stories of real people. I enjoy interviewing because I get to be myself. I get to learn people’s stories and I enjoy talking to them. Interviewing is very different from acting because in acting I am not being myself. I’m taking on a character that was written by somebody else. One is reality while the other is a created reality.
As a student in a high school film program, how has this hands-on training influenced your approach to acting or filmmaking?
The hands-on training has helped me understand the challenges of working behind the camera. Now as a film student I have taken on the role of the director making sure the shots are done a certain way. It gives me an inside look at how a director sees things. When I’m on set as an actor and the director gives me feedback, I know it’s because he or she is trying to get the best possible shot. They have a vision in their head, and they need me to execute that vision.
You create YouTube videos and stream content as well. How do these platforms allow you to connect with your audience in ways traditional media cannot?
The connection with the audience varies from content creator to content creator. For one content creator they might use You Tube to have a parasocial relationship with the viewer. This is very different from modern mainstream media due to the content being live streamed. Live streaming leads the viewer to believe that they are experiencing the same event as the creator because it is happening at the same time. My form of content is more similar to modern mainstream. I do not want that parasocial relationship because I find it to be unhealthy for the viewer. I think of my content solely as entertainment.
Your upcoming movie Aftermath sounds exciting! What are you most looking forward to about this project, and what can audiences expect from your performance?
I am looking forward to seeing how it was edited because I was very hands on for the film helping with running sound, operating the camera with the director of photography and the director’s who are my good close friends. I assisted with helping to re-write scenes and did story boarding for multiple shots. I am looking forward to seeing my performance because I feel I elevated the scenes that I am in to another level and the director’s keep showing sneak peaks of the editing process for the scenes that I am in. This just creates a sense of excitement to see the finished film.
Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself as either rich or dead (not literally). I envision balancing both acting and filmmaking through the use of content creation. This summer I plan to make one of my You Tube videos “Trying to Make the Worst Movie Possible”. This would incorporate all the stereotypes for films. The use of You Tube and platforms like it give individuals the opportunity to do anything they want to with a low budget. These platforms will allow me to continue acting and make movies throughout my life until one day hopefully I can make a big budget film.
With your wealth of experience already, what advice would you give to other young actors or aspiring filmmakers?
If you see it in your mind and you believe it in your heart, then speak it out into existence. Don’t listen to anyone if you truly want to do something just do it. There is a beautiful Chinese proverb that says “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now”.
Where can we find you?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raycesnyder/.
Rayce Snyder is a 15-year-old emerging bilingual film actor, filmmaker, and red-carpet host born and raised in Northern California. Rayce began his performance journey at the age of seven, participating in various musical theater productions. However, it wasn’t long before he discovered his true passion for film. Following the pandemic, Rayce shifted his focus entirely to filmmaking, leaving musical theater behind to pursue his growing interest in movies.
To date, Rayce has been in 22 films, demonstrating his versatile acting skills in a variety of roles. His talent recently earned him the title of Best Teen Actor at the Christian Online Film Festival for his portrayal of “Matt” in the feature film “Film Camp”, produced by JCFilms and Best Young Actor (October 2024) at the Top Shorts Film Festival for his portrayal of “Soan” in the film “Crescendo of Contention”. These recognitions marked a significant milestone in his young career, further solidifying his passion for the craft.
In addition to acting, Rayce is also an aspiring filmmaker. He is currently pursuing his interest in film production at his high school, where he is involved in writing, directing, editing, and filming his own projects through the school’s film program. His creative drive is fueled by a desire to tell unique stories, and he is considering pursuing a film degree in college to further develop his skills.
Article published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - January 2025.
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