New 2023 faith-based feature film stars North Myrtle Beach in some beach scenes

A new faith-based feature film shot two scenes on the beach in North Myrtle Beach this week, and is expected to be completed in early 2023.

“My Name is Melissa,” follows the story of Melissa, a young girl with a working single mother. The story documents her life as she grows up, but there’s a thriller twist: a stalker that gets closer to her every year.

“As the rest of Melissa’s life is recounted in very much Forrest Gump style, the audience sees Melissa every ten years; growing with her through the rough times and the good times, and learning the things that Melissa learns as she grows,” the film’s website states.

James De Vince, writer and producer, said that while the movie is based in faith, he made the distinction that this is not necessarily a religious movie.

Three weeks were filmed in Georgia, and beach scenes were shot in North Myrtle Beach on Monday and Tuesday. Production for the film has been completed and the task of post production will take about six months, according to Vince.

“A number of people have already been touched and healed by the message in the script.,” Vince said. “I am looking forward to when the film comes out to see how it may help so many others.”

The film will only be distributed to churches at first, according to Vince. He added that the production team has talked about making DVDs and selling to theaters as well.

Donald Graham, the spokesperson for the City of North Myrtle Beach said that the production crew was allowed two days of filming after being approved for a business license.

Vince, a Little River resident, said he got the inspiration to film in North Myrtle Beach after working at a Starbucks nearby and “admiring the scenery.”

Vince is co-producing the film with producer Mona Langham and Doug Stroup, who is an actor in the film as well.

Amy Simon, the actress who stars as adult Melissa, is known for her parts in “Blackwater,” “Hunter of Humans” and “Found.”

This story was originally published August 27, 2022 at 5:00 AM.