Sarah Nicklin Leads Sean Decker’s Guerilla Car Chase Film Rendezvous

TL;DR

• Sean Decker’s Rendezvous delivers raw guerrilla car chases through Los Angeles with no permits.

• Sarah Nicklin stars as a car thief in a noir-inspired, adrenaline-fueled short.

• A 2016 Ford Focus ST build, created by Decker himself, takes centre stage.

When Car Culture Meets Guerrilla Filmmaking

Car films usually play it safe. They’re storyboarded, insured, and sanitised for big studios. Rendezvous is none of that.

Shot without permits, fueled by rebellion, and starring a modified 2016 Ford Focus ST, the short film directed by Sean Decker IG: @seanjdecker throws viewers right into the chaos of Los Angeles streets. Indie actress Sarah Nicklin IG: @sarahnicklin  (V/H/S Halloween) plays the lead — a car thief with nothing to lose — in a performance that matches the car’s raw aggression.

For car culture fans, this isn’t just another chase movie. It’s underground filmmaking at full throttle.

Behind the Wheel: Sean Decker’s Vision

Decker, a journalist-turned-filmmaker, wanted to bring the thrill of real street driving back to cinema. With a budget under $4,000, he pulled together a powerhouse team:

• Will Barratt, Emmy-winning cinematographer (Frozen, Hatchet)

• John Fitzpatrick, editor (The Boys, Supernatural)

• Joseph Bishara, composer (The Conjuring, Insidious)

• Tracks from Perturbator, Skeler, and Tokyo Tears

Additional visuals were captured by Richard Trejo and Ryan Valdez, who also handled post-production. The result? A film that looks and sounds bigger than its guerilla roots.

“Rendezvous was born out of pure adrenaline and rebellion,” says Decker. “The passion of the cast and crew blew me away — they jumped into the chaos with me, and I’ll be forever grateful.”

The Star Car: Modified 2016 Ford Focus ST

At the heart of Rendezvous is a 2016 Ford Focus ST, built by Decker himself. This hot hatch isn’t stock — it’s tuned for performance, presence, and survival in the film’s breakneck chase sequences.

Why the Focus ST?

The ST represents the perfect balance: affordable, tunable, and a true enthusiast’s car. Decker’s build has already turned heads at Larry Chen’s Night Lights Long Beach and Tuner Evo San Diego 2025, solidifying its place in tuner culture.

Build Highlights

• Aggressive aero upgrades for stability at speed

• Custom engine tuning for sharper throttle response

• Performance suspension setup to handle tight L.A. streets

• Visual styling that matches the film’s dark, noir tone

Nicklin recalls the intensity:

“This wasn’t just another car film — it was survival filmmaking. Racing through the streets in real time, with everything on the line, was unlike anything else.”

Guerilla Filmmaking: Risk, Reward, and Raw Energy

Filmed entirely without permits, Rendezvous channels the outlaw spirit of Claude Lelouch’s legendary 1976 cult short. Decker and his crew embraced the risk — dodging cops, capturing real city chaos, and proving that the soul of guerilla cinema is alive.

This wasn’t about polish. It was about grit, authenticity, and speed. The film thrives on imperfections that big-budget productions edit away, which makes it resonate with car enthusiasts who value real street culture.

Where to Watch Rendezvous

• Watch Rendezvous on YouTube

• Follow updates on Instagram

About Decklin Films

Decklin Films is an independent production company founded by Sean Decker and Sarah Nicklin. The name combines their last names, representing both their professional collaboration and personal partnership.

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