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Ghostbusters fan Ryan E. Kemp

(Superherohype)

If you go see the new Ghostbusters movie when it's released in theaters this Friday, you'll see funny women, ghosts, and dazzling special effects. And when that's over, you'll enjoy a highly entertaining ending credits scroll with a few extra scenes thrown in. And you probably won't be paying much attention to the names in that credits scroll enough to notice one particular name that appears towards the end: a tribute to someone named Ryan E. Kemp. Well, I'm here to make sure you notice, and here's why:

There are Ghostbusters fans, known as Ghostheads, all across the world and many of them are organized into groups, or "franchises." In Alabama, we have our very own franchise, appropriately called the Alabama Ghostbusters. Louisiana has the Louisiana Ghostbusters, and so on. Many of these groups exist not just as fan clubs, but charity organizations, helping sick children or raising money for charitable causes. Marshall Ryan Kemp, better known as Ryan E. Kemp, was the founding member of the Western Kentucky Ghostbusters fan group, but his presence permeated every facet of the Ghostbusters fan community. If he could make it to an event or a gathering, no matter the location, he was there.

I only met Kemp a few times, but his pure excitement, joy and love for Ghostbusters as well as his consistent appearances at events made me feel like I had known him for years. He was so much fun (and funny!) to follow on Facebook and he lived the life I could joyously live vicariously through, from convention appearances, to funny photo-ops with celebrities, to his love of performing comedy.

Ryan E. Kemp has some fun with Stephen Amell (Green Arrow in Arrow) by sporting a Hawkeye shirt during a photo-op.

Kemp studied for a week or two each summer at The Second City Training Center in Chicago, IL - the same place that helped train original Ghostbusters Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Harold Ramis.

Kemp's life was tragically cut short in an automobile accident in October 2015 and the entire Ghostbusters community felt the loss of one of the biggest and best Ghostbusters fans that ever was.

To get an idea of how much of an impact Kemp had on the Ghostbusters community, look at his Facebook page. This man was everyone's friend and brother. The hashtag #WeAreKemp began circulating among the fan community. Special patches and pins were made because there was no Ghostbusters fan, nor will there ever be one, like Ryan E. Kemp.

Special pins and patches were created in Ryan E. Kemp's honor.

Still not convinced? Just ask Ghostbusters reboot director Paul Feig.

Kemp was one of, if not the first costumed ghostbusters to meet Feig at an event. Feig's first words upon seeing Kemp were, "Please don't hit me. I promise not to ruin your childhood." Kemp assured Feig that he was very interested in the project and the two had a great conversation. Kemp met Feig one other time after that.

Ryan E. Kemp meets Ghostbusters reboot director Paul Feig.

Shortly after Kemp's death, fans began tweeting Feig suggesting the idea of a tribute or memorial in the film:

@paulfeig Please consider a credit for unarguably the greatest GB fan ever, Ryan Kemp, who died tragically today. pic.twitter.com/pqaO5Jrsy0 — Louisiana GBs (@LouisianaGB) October 10, 2015

This is such sad sad news. Ryan was a wonderful guy. I'm so happy I got to meet him. What a tragic loss. https://t.co/Wvp1kX3Ebc — Paul Feig (@paulfeig) October 10, 2015

And in March of 2016, Feig and Sony invited a select group of fans to Los Angeles for an exclusive screening of the trailer for Ghostbusters. Alabama Ghostbusters member Brock Parker attended the screening and had a chance to talk to Feig, specifically about Kemp.

"Feig told me in March that Ryan was the kindest and sweetest soul," Parker said. "And it crushed him when he heard about Kemp being killed. He told me how Ryan encouraged him not to listen to so many of the negative voices, and rather pay attention to the good guys and gals in the community."

It was then that Parker brought up the end credits memorial. "Paul said, 'I want to do that, and I will make every effort to do so. Ryan was a beautiful person, and I am so honored to have met him twice. He made me feel welcomed into Ghostbusters.'"

For Paul Feig and Sony to include that tribute to Kemp at the end of the film shows just how in touch Feig was with the Ghostbusters fan community, and how much of an impact the community had on Feig. Throughout production, Feig went above and beyond to get to know the Ghostbusters fans, interacting with them on Twitter, providing detailed photos and measurements for amateur prop builders, flying fans out for the exclusive trailer screening, and inviting 300+ fans to attend the red carpet world premiere, which I was fortunate enough to attend, where we watched a movie packed full of references and fan service.

When Kemp's name appeared on the screen at the end of the credits, the entire 300+ fans erupted into applause. That's how much of an impact he had on all of us.

If you're a member of any sort of fandom, be it film, TV, or even sports, you understand how powerful community is, even if it revolves around something trivial or fictitious. Strangers become family over shared interests. And when an officially licensed entity acknowledges the fandom and the communities it creates, it makes for a truly special experience. To put this particular moment into perspective, it would be like if Coach Nick Saban paid tribute to a fallen notable Alabama football fan during the opening ceremonies at a home game.

So if you see Ghostbusters, whether you end up loving or hating the film, give it up for Ryan E. Kemp at the end of the film. He's earned it.