Often times, aspiring movie makers think the best route is going to a big like Los Angeles or New York.
One film made right here in the Biggest Little City has seemingly defied the odds.
A locally crafted film now lives on a streaming service with thousands of movies, that had much bigger support.
The film, Shadows of Betrayal: Chronicles of Ian Blair is about a man, who is accused of killing his wife, trying to clear his name.
The main star of the movie, Malik Fromm, also wrote, directed, and edited it.
Malik Fromm directing a scene.
"I thought that I had to go to LA, go to college for this," Fromm said. "I realized the love that I have for Reno and the love that I have for film, that anything could be possible."
The born and raised Reno native, started working on this movie eight years ago back in high school.
Malik Fromm at a young age filming a scene.
That's when, his now partner in crime saw the potential.
"I was really surprised and kind of shocked how good some of his work right out of high school with the limited stuff he was using at the time," said Paul Reyes, executive producer for the film.
Fromm (Left) and Reyes (Right) on set
The two then founded the company, Orange Lion Studios.
Reyes had experience with stunt work and movies for years.
With his role as the executive producer, he had ties to many local talent and crews to help bring it to life.
Behind the scenes of police station scene
"I just tried to back him up and help him get all the peripherals handled," Reyes said. "Handle all the business aspects of it with licensing or permits that were needed."
The film had a modest budget of $20,000.
The two, utilized all the local resources they could.
From filming in parking lots, working with fire departments, and using people's houses.
Script reading on set.
Once the film was completed, the future was uncertain.
"We didn't know if this film was going to be on YouTube," Fromm said. "Another YouTube film with the millions of films out there."
On July 5, they got the word that Amazon Prime picked it up.
Amazon Prime movie poster
After the celebrations were had, sights were still to aim for the moon.
"It's the beginning stone for us," Fromm said. "We're not in that sort of successful thing yet. We're not we're building upon this and Amazon Prime was the beginning and building blocks for what can and could be possible moving forward."
Orange Lion Studios is looking to grow and expand, to spread their wings even further.
Their studio is currently writing more films to try and top the success of this one, to leave a legacy right here in the 775.
If you would like to check out the movie, you can click the link below.
Watch Shadows of Betrayal: Chronicles of Ian Blair | Prime Video (amazon.com)
