Lauren Esposito and Shannon Ryan on ‘First Moon,’ Building Resilience in Horror, and the Power of Kindness On and Off Screen
…Shannon: “We’re visitors on this planet. We live alongside many other creatures, and I think we really need to take a closer look at how we’re existing on the Earth. We need to find a way to coexist more cohesively with other species and other forms of life. It’s getting to a tipping point, and we need to step into a very conscious way of thinking about our planet.”
Lauren: “I would love to spread a message of joy and happiness. Especially in today’s society, there’s so much hatred and so many things happening across the globe — people blaming each other, attacking each other. We’re not here forever, and I think it’s really important not to let all that negativity affect us personally. Just be kind. Be nice to one another”…
I had the pleasure of interviewing Lauren Esposito and Shannon Ryan.
Lauren Esposito is an Australian actress and producer whose career in screen acting began in her teenage years and quickly led to international recognition. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, Esposito’s early life was marked by a strong foundation in music and performance. She toured internationally as a member of the Australian Girls Choir by the age of 11, an experience that took her across Europe and Asia and set the stage for her evolution into a versatile performer.
Her transition into theatre came at age 12, when she began taking on lead roles in local musical productions including Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Annie. These formative years established her as a committed performer with a range that extended from ensemble work to solo performance. In 2011, at age 14, Esposito relocated with her family to Melbourne, where she attended Elwood College. It was during this period that she shifted her focus from musical theatre to screen acting, navigating the change by securing an agent and auditioning for roles in film and television.
Esposito’s professional screen debut came with the Australian TV drama Love Child (2014), in which she appeared during the show’s third season. Her breakout role, however, followed shortly thereafter when she was cast as Margaret Hodgson in James Wan’s The Conjuring 2 (2016). Selected from a global talent search, Esposito was just 17 when she landed the role, following a series of workshops in Los Angeles. The film, which depicted the real-life Enfield poltergeist case in the UK, achieved both commercial and critical success, bringing her international visibility and marking her entry into major studio productions.
Since The Conjuring 2, Esposito has taken on a range of roles in both genre and family-oriented films. Her work includes performances in Arctic Apocalypse (2019), Psycho BFF (2019), and The Legend of the Five (2020), the latter of which she also co-produced. She has also played lead or supporting roles in Swimming for Gold (2020), The Red Shoes: Next Step (2023), and First Moon (2024), where she portrayed Jess, a central character in the horror feature. Each role has added dimension to her filmography, allowing her to work across horror, adventure, and youth drama genres.
In addition to her on-screen career, Esposito has become increasingly active behind the camera. She has served as a co-producer on two feature films — The Legend of the Five and The Red Shoes: Next Step. Her mother, Tanya Esposito, acted as executive producer on The Legend of the Five, a collaboration that points to the familial ties and personal investment present in many of her projects. These dual roles in production and acting have given Esposito insight into the broader mechanics of filmmaking, and suggest a growing interest in creative control and long-term career sustainability within the industry.
Reflecting on her early career, Esposito has acknowledged both the excitement and the challenges that came with working at a young age. Landing her breakout role during high school, she temporarily returned to class between projects before departing to film The Conjuring 2, a rapid pivot between ordinary adolescence and the demands of professional acting. The experience, she has said, instilled a strong sense of gratitude but also revealed the unpredictable nature of the industry, where momentum is never guaranteed.
Over the past decade, Esposito has also developed a more critical understanding of the profession’s demands. In interviews, she has spoken about the misconception that early success guarantees consistent work. She views acting as a highly competitive and often uncertain field, where talent must be matched with perseverance, resilience, and an ability to cope with long periods between roles. She has also expressed a wish for more formal training during her early career, having entered the industry largely through practice rather than classroom instruction.
Her approach to character development has matured over time, with recent roles allowing her to explore more emotionally complex arcs. In First Moon, for example, she portrays a character whose personal transformation is central to the narrative. Esposito noted that while she differs from the character Jess in temperament and background, she relates to her resilience and ability to adapt under pressure — traits she considers essential both on-screen and in life.
Outside of acting, Esposito prioritizes physical and mental well-being, engaging regularly in Pilates and daily walks, often accompanied by her dog. She also finds balance in reading fiction, which she describes as a way to decompress and step outside the pressures of her profession. These routines, she says, provide structure and grounding in a career marked by constant change.
While she initially avoided horror films in her personal life, Esposito’s work in the genre has shifted her perspective. Her husband’s love of horror has encouraged her to explore the genre more openly, and her experience acting in films like The Conjuring 2 and First Moon has deepened her appreciation for the craft involved in building tension and creating atmosphere. She has expressed particular interest in the technical aspects of horror filmmaking, including prosthetics and special effects.
In recent years, Esposito has also spoken about the broader message she hopes to share through her platform. In contrast to the divisiveness she sees in global discourse, she advocates for a culture of kindness and empathy — values she believes are increasingly necessary in an often polarizing world. “We’re not here forever,” she said in a recent interview, “and it’s important not to let negativity define how we treat others.”
Esposito maintains an active social media presence, particularly on Instagram (@laurenkesposito), where she shares updates about upcoming projects, behind-the-scenes insights, and aspects of her personal life. With First Moon set for release on major streaming platforms in North America, she continues to build a career that spans both performance and production — a trajectory marked by early promise, persistent evolution, and a growing voice behind the camera.
Shannon Ryan is an Australian actor whose transition from professional dance to screen acting has been marked by a steady ascent through the independent film circuit. Based in Sydney, Ryan grew up on a farm in rural New South Wales, where her early engagement with the performing arts began with dance classes at the age of three. Her dance career eventually led her to explore acting, a discovery that reshaped her creative direction and ultimately positioned her within Australia’s film and television landscape.
Ryan honed her acting craft at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), one of the country’s most esteemed performing arts institutions. During her time there, she was recognized with the 2018 Shakespeare Award, given annually to a student demonstrating excellence in classical theatre performance. The recognition underscored her aptitude for dramatic work and served as an early indicator of her capacity to transition successfully from stage to screen.
Her screen career has largely been shaped by her work in independent film, most notably in Dusty, a short film that gained traction across Australia and Europe. Dusty was selected for several high-profile film festivals, including St Kilda Film Festival, Cinefest Oz, Brisbane International Film Festival, Canberra Short Film Festival, and the Francigena Film Festival. The film’s critical recognition brought Ryan increased visibility within the industry. She also appeared in Spiral, another short film that achieved festival acclaim, and in the feature-length horror film First Moon, her most substantial screen role to date.
Ryan describes First Moon as her “first real break” in the industry, crediting a personal connection with director Peter McCloud for helping her secure the role. Her audition process involved multiple rounds, supported by casting professionals who, along with the director and producer, ultimately backed her for the part. The project was a significant step forward in her career and provided her first major opportunity to carry a role in a full-length feature.
On set, Ryan’s dedication was evident in the physical demands of the production. Filming during Australia’s colder months, she recalled working in frigid conditions with minimal reprieve between takes. Despite the discomfort, she cited the experience as a powerful reminder of the collective effort behind cinematic storytelling and the often unseen challenges actors face behind the scenes.
A notable moment from her training years also highlights Ryan’s determination. While performing in a student production of As You Like It at WAAPA, she broke her toe during a rehearsal but chose to complete the performance. The incident, she says, taught her to balance resilience with safety, and to recognize the physical and emotional demands that acting can place on performers.
In First Moon, Ryan plays Elise, a character she describes as starkly different from herself. While acknowledging some similarities in temperament — particularly a shared preference for order and control — Ryan distanced herself from the more extreme attributes of the character. The transformation required to play Elise, she noted, was significant and at times disconcerting, with crew members commenting on the intensity she brought to the role once the cameras were rolling.
Ryan’s professional approach has been shaped by both personal experience and reflection. She emphasizes the importance of community in the acting world, citing the camaraderie developed on set as one of the more surprising and rewarding aspects of the profession. While acknowledging the challenges of sustaining a career in acting, particularly during periods of limited work, she has come to view such times as integral to the artistic process.
She also speaks candidly about the pressures that can accompany the early stages of an acting career. Initially focused on perfectionism and procedural correctness, Ryan later learned to lean into instinct and spontaneity — lessons she now views as essential to delivering authentic performances. She believes that life outside of acting — personal experiences, new hobbies, and relationships — enriches her ability to portray diverse characters.
Away from the screen, Ryan maintains a strong interest in physical wellness and mindfulness, practices rooted in her background as a dancer. She attends Pilates and yoga classes regularly and finds solace in slow mornings and long walks. These routines, she says, contribute to both her physical resilience and mental clarity, qualities that serve her well in a profession marked by uncertainty and intensity.
A self-proclaimed horror film enthusiast, Ryan participates in a regular tradition known as “Fright Night Fridays” with friends, where they gather to watch horror films from a wide array of subgenres and countries. Her enthusiasm for the genre is evident not only in her viewing habits but in her recent acting roles. She believes horror films, while often sensational, can explore deeply human fears and societal anxieties.
As her career continues to develop, Ryan has expressed an interest in sustainability and environmental responsibility, suggesting that public platforms such as film and media could play a larger role in promoting coexistence with the natural world. Her remarks suggest an emerging engagement with advocacy, particularly in light of global environmental challenges.
Ryan remains active on social media, particularly Instagram, where she shares updates on her projects and professional life. As First Moon continues its release across streaming platforms in North America, she is positioned to gain further recognition in international markets. While her screen career is still unfolding, Ryan’s blend of classical training, personal resolve, and commitment to her craft has placed her among a cohort of emerging Australian actors drawing attention at home and abroad.
Yitzi: Shannon and Lauren, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about each of your origin stories. Can you share with us the story of your childhood and how you grew up?
Shannon: I grew up on a small farm in rural New South Wales, Australia — a country town, country girl. I was a dancer when I was young, and then I found acting later in life. It really pulled me in. I studied it and eventually transitioned from dance and performing arts into acting and performing arts. I really enjoy it.
Lauren: I grew up in Adelaide, South Australia. When I was a kid, I started with musical theater — that was my bread and butter. I loved singing, acting, and dancing, and I did that for many years. When I was 14, we moved to Melbourne, and that’s when I slowly stopped doing musical theater and started transitioning into screen acting. I’d never done it before, but I somehow found an agent, started auditioning for film and TV, and that’s how I got into acting. That was how it all started.
Yitzi: Can you share with us the story of your first break into the industry — your first auditions, your first shows? Tell us how it all started.
Shannon: This is actually my first major role in a feature film, so I guess this would be my first real break. I was really lucky to know Peter McCloud, the director of First Moon. One day he contacted me and said, “Hey, we’re putting together a film, and I think there’s a role in it that would be great for you. Would you mind testing for it?” And as an actor, you say, “Yeah, of course, send me the script and I’ll take a look.” I think I did two auditions, and our wonderful casting director handled things from there. But it was definitely through that very fateful personal connection with Peter that I was able to get my foot in the door for this project. I feel really lucky that Peter believed in me, our casting director believed in me, and Tanya, our producer, believed in me too. So yeah, I would say this was the big break for me.
Lauren: For me, my first role was when I was 17. It was Love Child, a TV show set in the 1970s that was filmed in Sydney. I’m not sure if it’s still on — Shannon’s shaking her head, so probably not. I was in season three, and that was my first ever TV role. While I was filming that, I got the opportunity to audition for The Conjuring 2. After we wrapped Love Child season three, I got the call that I’d booked The Conjuring 2. I basically went back to high school for half a year and then went off to film it. The Conjuring 2 was definitely my big break, but Love Child was my first real experience in film and TV.
Yitzi: You probably have some amazing stories from your career so far. Can you share one or two stories that most stand out in your mind from your professional life?
Shannon: I’ll share one from First Moon. It’s not so much a specific story, but more about the circumstances behind the scenes that make something look the way it does on screen. We were shooting in a large, open, cavernous space in May — in Australia — so it was very cold. And poor Lauren had no shoes on for most of the shoot. After every take, we’d run to grab our hot water bottles, huddle together, talk through what we wanted to change or get feedback from the DOP or the director. Then we’d drop the bottles, run back into the scene, do another take, and as soon as we heard “cut,” we’d rush to grab our jackets and warm up again. It’s that behind-the-scenes magic of cinema that I always find fascinating.
Lauren: I’ve been acting for the past ten years, so there are so many stories from different projects, but the one that really stands out is when I got the call for The Conjuring 2. That was the biggest project I’d done at the time, and the feeling of “oh my god, this is actually happening” was unforgettable. I think you feel that with any big call as an actor — that gut feeling like, all my hard work is paying off. It’s such a tough industry, and I remember that moment so clearly. My mom was on the call too, along with my managers and agents, and when they told me, I was just dumbfounded. As an actor, you believe in yourself, but the odds often feel so slim. So when a moment like that happens, especially early on or with a major role, it’s incredibly special. That feeling really stays with you.
Yitzi: Great. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Shannon, do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting and the lesson that you learned from it?
Shannon: Oh gosh. It’s not so much a mistake, but it was something that really taught me resilience. When I was at drama school, I was doing the play As You Like It, and we were in our final dress rehearsal. A friend of mine accidentally ran into me and broke my toe during the run. I got off stage — it was sitting funny — so I pushed it back in, and I went back out for the costume change and finished the play. I knew it was broken. It was very, very painful. But it was one of those moments where the show — like, we only had performances for a week — so the show goes on, and you have to dig deep in those moments and go, “I really want to do this. I’m okay. I’m not going to hurt myself further. There’s nobody else who can step in.” You just learn to put your blinders on in certain situations. Not in a bad way — obviously you need to protect your own safety and advocate for yourself — but there are really moments in this industry, and in different projects, where you have to move forward. That instance in particular was a great example of me having to dig deep and push through something that wasn’t physically comfortable, but was ultimately really fulfilling and really gratifying.
Lauren: This might contradict what I said in my previous story, but honestly, being an actor is very hard. It’s grueling, and you have to love it — because if you don’t, what’s the point? It’s just so hard. I think the mistake I made was probably thinking, “Oh, it’s going to be easy to book the next job.” You know, like, “I’ve booked this one and this one and this one, so the next one will be easy.” It’s not easy. It’s so, so hard. I started doing this when I was very young, so maybe it’s about having a more open mindset — or not being naive. I don’t know if it was a mistake exactly, but more like a realization: it’s not as easy as it looks.
Yitzi: Great. So, please tell us about this latest project. We’d love to hear why you think we have to watch it.
Shannon: First Moon is a great, fun horror film. I say fun because it really leans into all of those amazing, popular, juicy horror film and monster movie traits that we all know and love. There’s this fantastic creature, shady characters, a lot of fighting, and a lot of blood. I think at its heart, it explores something relevant to everyone — this fear of the other. And the lengths some people might go to in order to deal with that fear in unhealthy ways. It’s a really great, fun — ugh, I hate using the word “fun” because it’s not quite right — but it is fun. There’s something retro about it, almost like those old-school monster films. Yeah, I think it’s a good watch.
Lauren: I think Shannon hit the nail on the head with that one. I agree with everything she just said. And about the word “fun” — I know we try not to use it too much — but it was also so fun for us to film. I think you’ll see that, and it’ll come through on screen. Sure, the film is quite dark — lots of blood and all of that, like Shannon said — but it was such a fun experience for us. I mean, none of us live lives like the characters in this film, so it was just a wild ride. And getting to work with prosthetics was amazing. It looks so good on camera, and seeing it afterwards — it’s just going to be amazing. I also think the character arcs are a big draw. Especially Jess — she goes on such a journey from beginning to end. It’s a real transformation, and I think audiences will love seeing where she ends up, because it’s pretty cool.
Yitzi: Do you personally like watching horror movies?
Shannon: I do. I’m a horror film lover. My friends and I actually have a little tradition called Fright Night Fridays, where we regularly get together and pick a horror film to watch. I love them. I love foreign horror films, Australian horror films, box office horror films, indie horror films — I love them all.
Lauren: So funny, I’m the complete opposite. My whole life, I’ve absolutely hated watching horror films because I’m a big scaredy-cat. But in the past few years — my husband loves horror movies — so we’ve been going to see a bunch more. I’ve developed a real appreciation for them, especially how they’re made, considering I’ve now been in two horror movies. I’m definitely starting to get into them more. I hate them less than I did a few years ago! But being in them? That’s a whole different story. Being in horror movies is so fun. Honestly, I think it’s even more fun than being in a regular drama.
Yitzi: That’s great. How would you compare and contrast your personal characters with the characters you play in this film? How are you similar, and how are you different?
Shannon: Elise and I are like chalk and cheese — I’d say we’re very, very different people. She holds some pretty extreme beliefs, and she’s absolutely brutal in how she lives and breathes those beliefs. She has a very strong need for control, and I guess that’s where we might overlap. As a Virgo, I definitely like things to be in order. So that was one area where I could tap into a familiar feeling — just that sense of calm when things are the way you want them or the way you believe they should be. From there, it was about taking that feeling and pushing it much further than I ever would in real life. Elise is pretty nasty, and I really hope I’m not! It was funny — while we were shooting, a few crew members came up to me and said, “As soon as the camera goes on, your face changes and you look terrifying,” and I was like, “Well… good, I hope!”
Lauren: I think similar to Shannon, we’re a bit like chalk and cheese. But I will say I do resonate with Jess in the sense that she’s very strong-willed. She knows what she wants, and she’ll go after it. She’s pushy, but at the same time, she also follows direction when the situation calls for it. So yeah, I think we’re both strong women, but we’ll also do whatever it takes to get out of a bad situation. We’re both very resilient.
Yitzi: This is our signature question. Shannon and Lauren, each of you have been blessed with a lot of success. You must have learned a lot from your experiences since you started. Shannon, could you share five things you’ve learned that you wish you knew when you first started acting?
Shannon: I wish that when I first started, I was better at backing myself. Similar to what Lauren said earlier, I wish I understood that it wasn’t going to be an easy journey and that expecting things to fall into place isn’t helpful. I wish I trusted that my love of acting was enough — even during those dry periods when you don’t have any work. That my love of the craft meant I was still an actor, even if I wasn’t working every day of the year.
I wish I knew how to have more fun. At first, when I graduated from drama school, I was holding everything so tightly and trying to do everything “right.” I think that can be the antithesis of good work sometimes. There’s definitely a rigor in doing your character work and learning your lines, but there comes a point where you have to trust your instincts and believe that the net will catch you — the net of your skills, your cast members, and the world you’ve built together. Those things will support you on days when you’re not feeling as secure as you’d like in your work.
I also wish I knew earlier about all the wonderful people I would meet. That’s something I didn’t really expect, but on every single job so far, I’ve found this incredible sense of community. I’ve been so lucky with the projects I’ve worked on. I know some actors have horror stories about awful castmates or crew, but I’ve been so blessed. You walk away from these projects after working so intensely toward a common goal, and while you don’t always leave with really tight friendships, sometimes you do. Even when you don’t, there’s this strange, beautiful sense of connection. I feel like we could all get back together in the little shed, have lunch, and it would feel like no time had passed. It would be such a lovely way to spend time. So yeah, the sense of community on each project is something I wish I’d known about earlier — something to look forward to.
Finally, I wish I knew that everything you do in life informs what you do as an actor. When I graduated from drama school, I was so intensely focused on only reading acting books, only reading plays, only doing classes — which are all really important things — but going to art galleries, catching up with your friends, spending time with your family, picking up a new hobby… all of these things inform who you are as an actor. They shape how you’re able to pick up and put on different characters in your life. I think when you’re a young actor, you can get tunnel vision and think, “I must only focus on the work.” But actually, the more lived experiences you have as a human, the more characters you’ll be able to relate to — and the more easily you’ll be able to step into those roles when the right opportunity presents itself.
Yitzi: Beautiful answer. How about you, Lauren? Can you share five things that you’ve learned now that you wish you knew when you first started?
Lauren: Shannon, you took the words out of my mouth. A couple of them might be the same.
I wish I wasn’t so hard on myself all the time. Still to this day, I can be really tough on myself, and it should be a fun experience — always.
I wish I’d gotten more training. I never really had much training in film and TV. I kind of just started auditioning, and here we are today. So I think getting more training would’ve been great.
I wish I had more opportunities to work with other actors. Being in classes, being around other creatives — that kind of energy really helps. So that’s something I would’ve loved more of.
I wish I knew where this journey would take me. If I could go back and tell myself, “This is happening the way it’s meant to happen because you’re going to be here in 10 years,” that would have made the tougher times easier to handle. I wouldn’t be where I am today without those 10 years of experience — auditions, getting roles, not getting roles. It all adds up.
And yeah, if I can borrow one from Shannon, I wish I knew about the community aspect. With acting, it’s amazing how many things surround it. No one’s just an actor. We’re all human beings doing so much more than acting. I wish I hadn’t boxed myself into just being “an actor,” because I’m more than that — and every other actor out there is more than that, too.
Yitzi: Can you share the self-care routines that help your body, mind, and heart thrive?
Shannon: We both love Pilates. I’m just an attender of classes, but I really enjoy them. I love yoga too. I have a dance background, so being physically active is really important to me. I’m a big fan of slow mornings — giving myself time to have a coffee and relax. I find that to be a mindful part of my day. If I’m feeling indulgent, I might have a massage, but I’m pretty low-key. I like walking as well. It’s a nice form of physical activity, and it’s also very meditative for me. In terms of mindfulness, that’s where I find a lot of peace.
Lauren: I love Pilates too. It’s my number one form of movement for both my body and my mental health. And like Shannon said, going for walks — if I can go for a walk every day with my dog, that’s such a nice part of my day that I really enjoy and look forward to. And I love a massage too, don’t get me wrong. I love reading — I’m a huge reader. I really enjoy sitting down with a novel. Non-fiction is great on occasion, but for me, I just love diving into a fiction book. It helps me get out of my head and into another world that has nothing to do with what’s going on in my life. So, I really love reading. And yes, enjoying a morning coffee is another routine I love too.
Yitzi: Amazing. This is our final aspirational question. Shannon and Lauren, because of your great work and the platforms you’ve built, each of you are people of enormous influence. If you could put out an idea, spread an idea, or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
Shannon: I think at the moment, mine would be a message of sustainability. We’re visitors on this planet. We live alongside many other creatures, and I think we really need to take a closer look at how we’re existing on the Earth. We need to find a way to coexist more cohesively with other species and other forms of life. It’s getting to a tipping point, and we need to step into a very conscious way of thinking about our planet and how we live on it.
Lauren: I would love to spread a message of joy and happiness. Especially in today’s society, there’s so much hatred and so many things happening across the globe — people blaming each other, attacking each other. We’re not here forever, and I think it’s really important not to let all that negativity affect us personally. Just be kind. Be nice to one another. Don’t blame. Don’t attack. I think simply being nice is a powerful message worth sharing with everyone.
Yitzi: So, how can our readers watch this film? How can they continue to follow each of your works? And how can they support you in any way possible?
Shannon: It’s being released on streamers in America. I’ll let Lauren talk about where it’s being released since she’s based in the States at the moment. Otherwise, I’m on Instagram @shannon.e.ryan, and that’s where I post a lot of my work. There’s also a First Moon Instagram account. @firstmoonfilm.
Lauren: My Instagram is @laurenkesposito. As for streaming, First Moon will be releasing on May 6 in the US and Canada on the following platforms:
Amazon
Apple TV
Google Play
Microsoft
InDemand
Dish
Vudu
Hoopla
Rogers & Shaw
Yitzi: Amazing. Well, Shannon and Lauren, it’s been so delightful to meet you. I wish you continued success and blessings, and I hope we can do this again next year.
Lauren: Sounds good. Thank you so much for having us.
Shannon: Thank you so much.
Lauren Esposito and Shannon Ryan on ‘First Moon,’ Building Resilience in Horror, and the Power of… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.