Meet Rylee Oyler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rylee Oyler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rylee, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I’m very goal-oriented, so I set goals for myself and make to-do lists so I can see my progress and the strides I’m making toward my bigger goals and dreams.

When I first started at SCAD, I didn’t really know working in film was an option. I had mostly only heard about theater, and even that felt like a stretch from a traditional career path. In my second quarter, I got involved in some student films and was given the chance to do production design and set dressing. Once I was given that opportunity and that confidence boost, I was all in.

I think there’s a difference between giving up and knowing when something is fizzling out or when the well is dry, and that took some learning. Expanding beyond my typical film group really helped with that, just working with people from different backgrounds and experiences and seeing new ways to improve my craft. I also make an effort to talk to my professors and ask how I can improve on each project, which has pushed me further.

I don’t look at a connection fizzling out or a set not looking 100% how you imagined as a reason to give up. To me, that’s just part of the process, a chance to improve, and a way to see the strides I’ve made and how far I’ve come.

I’ve found what I’m passionate about and where I want to be in 10 years, and that in itself is the fuel to keep going, keep learning, build my skills, meet new people, and keep growing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I build and create worlds and tell stories through sets, lighting, and occasionally camera work. That’s what really sets me apart. I’m drawn to the environment of a story and how people experience it, not just what’s happening on screen.

I’m proud of the progress I’ve made in a short amount of time, the relationships I’ve built, and the goals I’ve set for myself that I’m actively working toward. Right now, I’m especially excited about my goal of working with Dude Perfect. I’ve taken real steps toward that by pushing myself out of my comfort zone, creating reels and TikToks to document what I’m doing, applying for opportunities, and reaching out to current and former employees to learn from their experiences.

Getting to where I am hasn’t been easy. I’ve had connections fizzle out, spent long hours building new skills, tried new things that didn’t always work, and had plenty of late nights and early mornings. But honestly, that’s what fuels me and builds my excitement for what’s next.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that every “no” is still valuable. Feedback means everything to me because it gives me something to learn from and improve on, and helps me take another step forward.

Another important lesson is trusting my path. I’ve been told before that my interest in creating lighthearted, family-friendly, sports-driven content wouldn’t take me far in this industry. Instead of changing that, I’ve used it as motivation to work harder and stay true to what I care about.

At the end of the day, I want to be known as someone who creates authentic stories and builds worlds that people can step into and enjoy, no matter their background. I want my work to feel fun, meaningful, and something people can connect to.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d probably start with something like going to the Georgia Aquarium or catching a Braves game at Truist. Those are fun, high-energy experiences that really capture the spirit of the city.

I’d also want to take them outside of Atlanta to where I’m from. That’s where my interest in all of this really started, so it feels important to show that part of my journey and where my career began.

I’d mix in something creative too, like visiting the High Museum of Art, where I went a few times with my high school art class, or the Delta Museum. Maybe even a concert at Ameris Bank Amphitheater, where I went to my first concert.

Overall, I’d want the day to feel like a mix of fun, creative, and personal experiences, so they can get a real sense of both the city and who I am.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly, I wouldn’t point to just one person; it’s really been a mix of people and experiences that have shaped me.

A couple of teachers have played a big role. They gave me chances and saw something in me that I didn’t even recognize at the time. They pushed me and gave me honest feedback that really helped me grow. The Arts Barn and Plaza Arts Center were some of the first environments that gave me a real opportunity to be part of something bigger, and that helped build my confidence early on. Alongside that, my friends, parents, and grandparents have supported me the whole way, whether that’s working alongside me, showing up to everything, or helping make it possible for me to be here.

And even in the last year or so, the content and my connections from Dude Perfect have been really inspiring to me. Seeing the kind of creative, high-energy work they do made me realize the kind of content I’d love to be a part of and help create.

All of those influences together have really shaped where I am now and where I want to go.

Website: https://www.roproductiondesign.com/

Instagram: @ro_productiondesign

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/roproductiondesign

Facebook: Rylee Oyler

Youtube: @ro_productiondesign

Image Credits
Jack Muzzo
Shannon Stone
Sophia Dennaoui
Gene Garcia