“Aim small, miss small.”

As Bradley Cooper’s character fired the bullet that ended his tours, he murmured words from his former sniper instructor, words spoken by an actor married to a Canyon High graduate.

James Ryen played the character PO Karnan in the recently released movie “American Sniper.”  Ryen is married to 2001 graduate Jennifer Yirak Ryen, daughter of theater teacher Dave Yirak. Ryen’s character trains the snipers prior to combat. Ryen said being a part of the movie directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper was a dream come true.

“I’ve been a fan of Mr. Eastwood’s work for many years, so to have the chance to be directed by him before he retires from filmmaking and on such a powerful film is a highlight of my career,” Ryen said. “As an actor, you want a set and environment that is conducive to being creative and allows for spontaneity. Brad was very collaborative, and we actually improvised a lot of those scenes and lines, some of which ended up in the final cut.”

Coming from a military family, Ryen was already familiar with the work and training of snipers.

“I furthered my knowledge by reading and watching various books and shows by former & current snipers,” Ryen said. “The best information I received was from Kevin ‘Dauber’ Lacz, a former SEAL from Team 3 that deployed with Chris twice and played himself in the film. I got to discuss his life and what he remembered about his instructors going through sniper school, which helped with my attitude and mindset during the shoot.”

Ryen said he thinks “American Sniper” impacted America in a significant way, which other movies aren’t doing.

“When a military themed film does over $210 million in less than two weeks of being released, you know there’s an interest in the story,” Ryen said. “Those box office revenues are on par with Harry Potter and Avengers in a character driven biopic. I can’t think of another film that’s done that. When you look at the debate that’s going on regarding Mr. Kyle’s life and work, you know the film speaks to people and is making them want to talk about it.”

Ryen said he believes the movie accurately portrayed Chris Kyle and his life.

“This was a man whose job was to negate any threats against US Forces at the risk of his own life and those servicemen and  women he swore to protect,” Ryen said. “It just so happened he mostly did that by shooting them with a high-powered rifle. The film captures the pain he feels from not only having to do that, but the loss he felt when he couldn’t protect them, as well as his guilt about not being there with his family, and his inability to immediately reconnect with them when he felt he would be better served in combat.”

Ryen said a favorite aspect of the experience was collaborating with director Eastwood, Cooper, Lacz and writer Jason Hall.

“We were all on the same page of wanting to tell Chris’ story correctly,” Ryen said.  “They allowed freedom in finding the truth of the scenes and moments.”