A new, locally produced short film from a Carson High School alumnus will premiere this Saturday, April 25, in a private red-carpet event at the Holland Project in Reno.
A15, a 38-minute sci-fi thriller, will later be released to the public Friday, May 15, at the National Automobile Museum, with ticket proceeds benefiting the Holland Project and theRennerVation Foundation to support local artists and encourage youth creativity.
Written and directed by 19-year-old filmmaker Waylon Parr, creator of Macho Bear Films and current business marketing student at the University of Nevada, Reno, A15 depicts a group of journalists investigating a mysterious outbreak in a remote town. What begins as a routine inquiry quickly spirals into a chilling discovery of a hidden experiment that manipulates individuals through sound, televisions and music, blurring the line between reality and control.
The A15 cast includes former and current Carson High students Selma Works, Koa Mitchell, Claire Callister, Hailey Satterwhite, Madison Hager and Douglas High grad Ayla Nelson.
Filmed on a modest $1,500 budget using only an iPhone 15 Pro Max, A15 was shot across northern Nevada, including Fallon, Lake Tahoe and Carson City, with additional scenes captured in Northern California.
The project features a collaborative effort from local creatives, including music and soundtrack by Honey Plant and graphic design work by Liv Rogers.
Beyond its technical achievements, A15 serves as a metaphor for the influence of smartphones and social media, exploring how tools designed to connect people can also isolate and subtly reshape behavior.
Tickets for the May 15 public showing are $15, with attendance expected to reach up to 150 guests.
