Journalist-turned-filmmaker Sean Decker makes his narrative directorial debut with the noir-inspired short film Rendezvous, now streaming on YouTube. Starring Sarah Nicklin (V/H/S Halloween), the film follows a car thief on the run through Los Angeles in a production that was shot entirely without permits.
Crafted on a budget of under $4,000 during the SAG-AFTRA strike, Rendezvous pays homage to Claude Lelouch’s 1976 cult classic of the same name while establishing its own identity through raw, guerilla-style filmmaking. The project features cinematography by Emmy-winner Will Barratt (Frozen, Hatchet series), editing by John Fitzpatrick (The Boys, Supernatural), and an original score from Joseph Bishara (The Conjuring, Insidious). The soundtrack also includes music by Perturbator, Skeler, and Tokyo Tears.
Additional cinematography was provided by Richard Trejo and filmmaker Ryan Valdez, who also oversaw post-production. Sound design was delivered by Joe Stockton, adding to the immersive energy of the film. At the heart of the chase is a customized 2016 Ford Focus ST, built by Decker himself, which has already made appearances at automotive showcases including Larry Chen’s Night Lights Long Beach and Tuner Evo San Diego in 2025.
Decker describes the project as “born out of pure adrenaline and creative rebellion,” while star Sarah Nicklin emphasizes the immediacy of the shoot: “There’s nothing like racing through the streets in a real car, in real time, with everything on the line.”
Rendezvous is now available to watch on YouTube.
