I met Mike on the first professional shoot I ever worked on as a PA. Instantly he cared to know my name, what I was interested in, and just who I was. Over the past several years, I was fortunate to work with him on many shoots.

I learned that Mike cared more than anybody. Mike had the biggest heart in the room. Mike was also the funniest guy in the room. Mike had the best taste in music (I had the privilege of jamming out with him to “Joey” by Concrete Blonde on an A.M. drive to Norfolk). Mike brought everything he had to the table, everyday. Mike had a beautiful smile. Mike loved his family (I remember shooting a day at BrightPoint Community College and a young man coming up to ask us if we were shooting a Mayonnaise Commercial… it was his son and Mike had put him up to it! The whole crew busted out laughing and Mike patted his son on the back before telling him he loved him.) Mike knew when to speak and knew when to listen. Mike was a teacher. Mike was a leader. Mike was the best.

There will never be another like him and I feel so grateful to have gotten to meet and know the special man that was Mike Flinn ♥️

Mike was a rock solid member of every production I had the pleasure to work with him on. We worked together many times over the years and in many different locations and all seasons of the year, and although we never got together away from the set it didn't matter. I always regarded him as a friend and as someone I 100% trusted. His  work ethic and knowledge of lighting and the mechanics of filmmaking always impressed me. Im very grateful to have worked with Mike, he will be missed.  Godspeed my friend.   

Mike was part of our CAMC family, having made many trips to Charleston, WV, over the past 20 years to assist with our TV commercial shoots. He was kind, funny and a trusted member of our production crew. The CAMC marketing team adored Mike and we will miss him dearly. Our hearts are with your family.

As I read through Mike’s obituary, the comment about him labeling everything made me laugh through my tears.  He always had tape and a marker at the ready, and he always labeled my water bottle. 🥹  He was on all of our shoots over the last 20 plus years, and became part of our CAMC family.  I remember when that picture in the helicopter was taken, on the roof of our trauma center.  He was so skilled and easy to work with.  His loss is felt by many in WV.  We will miss him dearly.  My heart goes out to his family, and our Tilt family. 

I only worked with Mike Flynn a hand full of times, but one day I worked under him as a grip and never had I learned so much in 12 hours of good work ethic, talent, and kindness. So even though I wasn’t close he impacted my life and many others. 

    A huge loss. Hard to describe in words how I feel. I cannot recall ever doing a job out there where Mike was not my key grip.  So many expierences both in Richmond and West Va.  that the jobs blur together. What I can recall is an amazing human, who was smart, kind, and always solved every challenge I threw at him. Mike was such an original. His quick wit and comments always made me laugh. We did so many different jobs (Fashion, Table Top, Lifestyles, Doc, Health Care) and he always brought his A game.  I could go months without being there and we would pick up a conversation where we left off.  His intelect had a tint of irony and that in and of itself made me drawn to him, .......what would he think ?, what comment would he hit me up regarding  a problem, politics or whatever.  Key Grips are often the problem solvers, the safety person, the "all around go to".  He excelled at all of it !  Since he would dolly for me, he was right behind me on set all the time and I could turn to him and he would relay any request I needed. So, year after year he really was such a trusted soul. In the later years my visits and jobs became less frequent so, so I never felt connected as much and wondered how he was doing (and many other RVA crew). This makes me sad that I did not reach out more and just check in.  He was an OG and it felt good to know he had my back.  Im so heartbroken for his family and the film community there. Such a sad, sad loss.  I love you Mike. 

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Michael was my big brother and I will forever miss him. Growing up I didn’t reveal it to him much, but I absolutely always looked up to him and he had a large influence in my tastes, humor, skill development and general outlook on life at a young age. I was six years younger than him and I know I gave him more grief than he ever deserved.

Mike had a myriad of interests growing up. In no particular chronological or order of importance, he loved “Lost in Space”, Monty Python, model rockets, his custom train set that Dad helped him build, M.C. Escher, Star Trek, Steve Martin “A Wild and Crazy Guy”. He found “The Jerk” hilarious as well as the dry humor of Steven Wright.

It was a 1977 Christmas when he got the Atari Breakout game and I got Pong. We played those for countless hours. He was also a huge fan of the arcade game Star Castle.

He always got Hot Wheels and I got relegated to MatchBox.

As a kid, we had a set of Compton's Encyclopedia in a dedicated bookcase. He would, in fact, sit down and would read through each one of those books, A-Z. Interestingly enough, one of his first creative films he created for one of his VCU classes was about a fictitious boy who was only given and had access to the "A" volume of any encyclopedia set. The boy’s parents would go to the grocery store and get the complementary gift book that was given away with the enticing store’s offering of a new set of pots and pans to purchase. The boy had and immense knowledge of anything starting with “A” but that was about it.

If I also remember correctly, he could also have been seen reading through the dictionary for enjoyment.

He got me exposed to and hooked on Van Halen, Kiss, Rush and Judas Priest “Unleashed from the East”. Mike was proud member of, at the time, the WRXL102 Rock Army fan club.

He was a huge fan of Carl Sagan and “The Cosmos”. He was an avid fan of Stephen Hawking as well. He had an appreciation of Frank Lloyd Wright and mid-century architecture.

Mike participated in the Scouts and was a Webelos. He used his skill and talent to help me craft an awesome looking pine wood derby car with a custom Smokey and the Bandit paintjob.

I can’t recall what he named the chicken, but in middle school his class incubated several chicks. One of them he was allowed to take home and raise. It was truly a gorgeous specimen of a hen. He took her and her eggs to the State Fair several times and won quite a few blue ribbons.His first car was a used '66 VW Bug. He was most proud of it when he had it painted Porsche Guards' Red and he installed a .009 distributor with a Thunderbird Glasspack. He enjoyed being part of the crew on the Kenny Wilson Karmann Ghia dragster known as “PacMan”.

Michael graduated from V.C.U.’s School of Arts in 1986 with a degree in Communication Arts and Design.

He was the smartest person I ever knew. Truly was an inspiration how he would build things, craft things, customize things, tweak things. He respected quality and good craftsmanship. He would be quick to help someone fix, build or repair anything.

He later went on to marry Kate and had two wonderful children.

Mike was immensely proud of his career as being a Grip. I am amazed at all of the outpouring from his friends in that industry, their photos and stories that I have seen here.

My brother was truly a genuine and unique individual.  

Mike in his happy place!

I can't believe this news. Mike is a legend. We worked together on the first gig I ever hopped on in 2018, and nearly every one after that during my time in VA. I remember when Set My Hear On Fire Immediately by Perfume Genius came out - he told me it was a perfect album. I still think of him when I listen to them. I'll be seeing them in June & will be sure to scream/sing extra loud for Mike. He is deeply missed ♡