Spotlight: Tyrell Fleshman on Finding His Place in Film
On any film set, there are countless moving parts—lights to position, cameras to roll, actors to cue, meals to serve. In that beautiful chaos, it’s often the unsung heroes, the Production Assistants, who keep the wheels turning. For Tyrell Fleshman, stepping into that role on The Grand Strand was more than a job—it was the beginning of a career transformation. His focus was simple: show up, work hard, and help the production succeed.
“As a Production Assistant, my job was to be everywhere and nowhere all at once,” he says with a laugh. “I was setting up base camp, building the crafty station, running errands, and even serving lunch. But I also had moments where I worked directly with an Assistant Director, helping to coordinate background actors. Every day was different, and every task mattered.”
That mantra—every task matters—quickly became a lesson Tyrell carried with him. Film, he discovered, is not a hierarchy of glamour, but a web of collaboration. “Everyone on set has value. Even when it feels like you’re doing the groundwork, you’re making the day possible. The people on set come before the film, and their wellbeing—hydration, food, rest—is essential to the art itself.”
Lessons in Service and Communication
Tyrell’s time on The Grand Strand sharpened more than his logistical skills. It taught him a delicate balance of attentiveness and intuition. Knowing a crew member’s favorite drink, anticipating when someone might need a coffee, or simply offering encouragement—all of it, he says, “can shift the mood of an entire production day.”
He also mastered the art of communication. From the clipped efficiency of walkie-talkie exchanges to the nuanced delivery of information to background actors, Tyrell learned that clarity is as important as creativity. “Film can get messy fast. Being able to deliver the right information at the right time makes all the difference.”
A Chance Encounter with Magic
Not every memorable moment happened behind the lens. One afternoon, with lightning threatening the beach set, the cast and crew huddled under shelter, waiting out the storm. What could have been a dreary pause transformed into an impromptu gathering. Music played, a game of Heads Up made its rounds, and strangers became teammates in joy. “It was beautiful,” Tyrell recalls. “I saw people from all walks of life connect in such a simple, human way. That’s when I understood what people mean when they say film is the art of chance.”
Not every day was smooth. Tyrell recalls the morning when two background actors backed out at the last minute, sending him on a frantic search along the beach in full set attire. “It felt like I had failed,” he admits. “But the truth is, some things are out of your control. I had to remind myself to stay positive. A bad attitude can spread quickly on set, and I refused to be the reason the energy dipped. So I focused on the tasks ahead and moved forward.”
The lessons Tyrell carried from The Grand Strand paved the way for his next opportunity: a bigger-budget feature with Studio15 in Greenville, SC the following summer. “That first experience taught me to pay attention, ask better questions, and support every department I could. I had the confidence to walk onto a larger set and feel like I belonged there.”
Tyrell on the set of Money by Sundown (Studio 15) in 2024.
Rooted in Local Community
For Tyrell, the heart of the work has been shaped by Local Cinema Studios’ (LCS) commitment to local and independent filmmaking in South Carolina. “It felt like we were making a serious film in our own backyard. The sense of community was unreal. It was like working with friends and family, and that kind of environment motivates you to give your best every single day.”
Tyrell’s journey isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s also a testament to what Local Cinema Studios is building in South Carolina. By creating opportunities for emerging talent, supporting local voices, and treating filmmaking as both art and community, LCS is proving that major stories can be born in the South.
Tyrell out and about in the Myrtle Beach community during the filming of The Grand Strand.
Advice for the Emerging Filmmakers
To aspiring filmmakers and production hopefuls, Tyrell offers three pieces of advice:
Every role matters. “You are as important as the director or the lead actor. Carry that confidence with you.”
What you have is enough. “Even if you’re not on a set yet, create. Make shorts, write stories, collaborate with friends. Your resources are enough to start.”
Remember the people. “Film is about relationships. Connect with others, listen to their stories, and let collaboration fuel you.”
His grandmother’s words echo in his heart: People do business with people. And in Tyrell’s case, it’s clear that his mix of diligence, empathy, and resilience makes him not just a valuable crew member, but a rising voice in the South Carolina film scene. We all need a Tyrell on our film sets!
As he continues to climb, one thing remains certain: Tyrell Fleshman is proof that success in film is built not only on talent, but on the quiet, steadfast work of those who believe in both the art—and the people—behind it.
