Tye Sheridan on the Importance of Mental Health Support in Asphalt City

We sat down with Tye Sheridan to discuss the preparation he did for his multifaceted roles as a director and actor in the film Asphalt City. He highlighted the extensive research process, including spending time with real medic teams and incorporating their stories into the film to create an authentic narrative. Moreover, Tye emphasized his immersive approach to understanding the EMS community through ride alongs and training experiences, learning skills like CPR and IV administration. In particular, he wanted to focus on raising awareness about the mental health challenges that the EMS community faces and providing a strong support system for those who need it.

Tye also spoke about his character’s development and drew attention to Ollie's struggle to balance his relationships and his career. Although the film faced a few logistical challenges and filmed within a tight schedule, he found the challenges to be beneficial to his learning experiences. He attributed his growth as a producer to his background as an actor and noted the importance of taking advice from those around him.

Watch the full conversation below.

Ollie Cross is a young paramedic assigned to the NYC night shift with an uncompromising and seasoned partner Gene Rutkovsky. Each 911 call is often dangerous and uncertain, putting their lives on the line every day to help others.