Senioritis
Austin, Texas | Film Short
Comedy, Horror
Two nerdy high school seniors, Alli and Romy, land in Saturday detention for the first time alongside their longtime bully. Determined to get revenge, Alli's plan goes horribly wrong, unleashing a zombie apocalypse in the most disgusting way imaginable.
19 supporters | followers
Enter the amount you would like to pledge
$1,415
Goal: $4,000 for production
Two nerdy high school seniors, Alli and Romy, land in Saturday detention for the first time alongside their longtime bully. Determined to get revenge, Alli's plan goes horribly wrong, unleashing a zombie apocalypse in the most disgusting way imaginable.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Why We're Making SÌžENIORITIS đ©ž
After moving back to Austin from Los Angeles, I knew almost immediately that I wanted to start creating again with people in the local film community. I had always admired Ryanâs work as a videographer and director, and Iâve genuinely believed he has a great eye for storytelling and visual filmmaking. When I came back to Austin, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally collaborate.
Ryan and I are both creatives outside of our day jobs, and Senioritis came from a very simple place: we wanted to make something we would actually have fun watching. We love classic buddy comediesâthe chemistry, the ridiculous situations, the characters who make questionable decisions, and the way the comedy comes from watching two friends try to navigate absolute chaos.
We thought, why not take that classic buddy-comedy energy and throw zombies into it?
This felt like the right time to stop talking about making something together and actually do it. Austin has given us the opportunity to build a local creative team, and we want Senioritis to be the beginning of what we hope will be many more projects together.
Weâre not trying to make something overly complicated. We just want to make a genuinely fun movie with great characters, practical zombie effects, lots of laughs, and a story that reminds people why they love watching movies with their friends.
TÌ·he Story đ§ââïž đ§ đ§ââïž
Senioritis follows a group of high school seniors serving Saturday detention when a zombie outbreak begins to spread. What starts as an ordinary Saturday punishment quickly takes a terrifying turn as the students encounter the first signs of the outbreak.
After detention, the group heads to a party, hoping to put the bizarre afternoon behind them. But when the zombie outbreak follows them, the party quickly descends into chaos. Now, they have to navigate the infection, their own questionable decisions, and each other.
At its heart, Senioritis is a horror-comedy about friendship, bad decisions, and the absolute chaos of being young. Weâre combining the energy of a classic buddy comedy with the fun, gore, and absurdity of a zombie movie.
Think ridiculous situations, characters making questionable choices, practical zombie effects, and plenty of moments that will hopefully have you laughing one second and wondering who is going to get eaten the next.
BÌ·ringing the Film to Life
We want Senioritis to feel like a real movieânot just a short film that happens to have zombies in it.
A huge part of that is our practical effects. Weâre working with an FX supervisor to create our zombie makeup and effects, giving the film a tangible, hands-on horror aesthetic rather than relying entirely on digital effects.
We also want to capture the energy of a real Austin production while creating a world that feels nostalgic and familiar. The high school setting, graduation atmosphere, costumes, props, and practical effects will all help establish the world of Senioritis.
Our goal is to create something that feels fun, cinematic, and visually memorable while staying grounded in the character-driven comedy that inspired the project in the first place.
đ§ââïž Where Your Support Goes đ«
Weâre raising $4,000 to help cover the essential costs of bringing Senioritis to life.
Our biggest needs are the people and resources that make the production possible, including our Director of Photography, sound, camera/lighting crew, makeup and production assistance, actors, locations, meals, and zombie effects.
Weâre especially looking for a school location in Austin, which can cost approximately $150â$200 per hour. Austin has become increasingly expensive for creatives, so independent filmmakers often have to stretch every dollar to make a production happen.
Your contribution will help us pay the people working on the film, secure locations, feed our cast and crew, and create the practical zombie effects that are such an important part of the movie.
đ§ââïž Our Team â€ïž
This project is being created by a small team of Austin creatives who are passionate about filmmaking and excited to make something together.
Allison Lyric â Co-Writer, Actor & Co-Producer
Allison is a SAG-AFTRA actor and filmmaker who returned to Austin after living and working in Los Angeles. Senioritis is an opportunity to combine her love of acting and storytelling while building more connections within Austinâs local film community.
Ryan J. Sherrell â Co-Writer & Director
Ryan is a videographer and director whose visual storytelling inspired Allison to finally collaborate with him after returning to Austin. Together, they developed Senioritis from their shared love of comedy, horror, and making movies.
Julia Aponteâ Makeup, Hair, and Prosthetics Artist
Julia is a Houston-based Makeup, Hair, and Prosthetics Artist whose work is rooted in storytelling, character transformation, and practical artistry. With a passion for creating both subtle and transformative looks, she explores the many ways makeup, hair, wigs, and prosthetics can help bring a character and their world to life.
Julia graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA in Wig & Makeup Design. During her time at UNCSA, she developed a diverse skill set across makeup, hairstyling, wig making, special effects, prosthetics, and character design. Her experience has continued to grow through work in film, music videos, theater, and medical simulation.
Now based in Houston, Julia is continuing to build her career within the film and entertainment industry, pursuing opportunities in SFX makeup, prosthetics, hair and makeup, wig work, and moulage. Her goal is to continue growing as an artist, collaborate with creative teams, and create work that feels thoughtful, believable, and connected to the story.
đ§ Whatâs Next â€ïž
Weâre currently preparing for production with our shoot planned for September 26, 2026.
Once filming is complete, weâll move into post-production and begin preparing Senioritis for festivals and future screenings and distribution opportunities. Our supporters will be among the first people to experience the finished film.
We want this project to be more than a one-off short. We want Senioritis to be the beginning of a creative partnership and a local filmmaking community that allows us to keep making movies together.đ§ Help Us Make Senioritis đ©žâ€ïž
If you've ever wanted to see what happens when graduation night meets the zombie apocalypse, now is your chance to help us make it happen.
Every contributionâwhether it's $15, $25, or $100âgets us closer to production. And if you can't contribute financially, sharing our campaign with someone who loves horror, comedy, zombies, or indie filmmaking means just as much to us.
Help us bring Senioritis to life.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
3D FX Makeup
Costs $300
We need funding for our zombie makeup and SFX budget, including professional SFX artists, prosthetics, makeup, blood, and other products.
Cast & Crew
Costs $2,400
Director of Photography (DP): $750 Sound: $400 AC / Gaffer / Grip: $300 MUA / PA: $450 Actors: $100 day rate per actor
Locations and Meals.
Costs $800
Locations and meals, locations can cost $150â$200/hour. ATX has become increasingly unaffordable for creatives so we need your help!
Set design & Wardrobe
Costs $500
Wardrobe, empty beer / liquor bottles, party supplies, school supplies to set the scene! Visualize what you remember from school and parties
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Co-Writer/Director/Co-Producer
Ryan is an Austin-based producer-shooter-editor whose experience spans social and editorial content, branded campaigns, and a long list of passion projects.
On set, heâs held nearly every role, but editing is his calling because itâs central to successfully telling a story. He works imaginatively and efficiently to meet deadlines while delivering value with a constant eye toward the audience.
Beyond production, Ryan has developed video content strategies for brands and managed teams responsible for more than 1B social views and $7M+ in revenue. He also performs improv and has produced and starred in his own sketch comedy show, bringing a strong sense of comedic timing to Senioritis.
Co-Writer/Actor/Co-Producer
Allison Lyric is Austin-based actress, writer, producer, and filmmaker who has always been drawn to storytelling both in front of and behind the camera.
She has worked on independent short films and features in both Austin and Los Angeles, gaining experience on sets in a variety of supporting roles. As a Central Texas native, sheâs especially excited to return to Austin and become more involved in the local film community while creating opportunities for other emerging filmmakers and artists.
Allison is a SAG-AFTRA actor with a background in film and electronic media and a passion for creating original stories that blend comedy, heart, and genre. She loves character-driven projects and the kind of movies that make audiences laugh, connect with the characters, and leave wanting to watch them again.
Senioritis brings together her love of acting, filmmaking, and comedy while marking an exciting new chapter in her creative work back home in Texas.
FX Makeup Supervisor
Julia Aponte is a creative from Houston, Texas, who learned by doing, not waiting for permission. Sheâs worked across theatre, student films, and independent projects, taking on whatever role was needed to get the work done right. Each project pushed her to refine her instincts, her taste, and her sense of direction. Grounded in discipline and driven by curiosity, Julia is building a body of work thatâs intentional, hands-on, and unmistakably her own.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Why We're Making SÌžENIORITIS đ©ž
After moving back to Austin from Los Angeles, I knew almost immediately that I wanted to start creating again with people in the local film community. I had always admired Ryanâs work as a videographer and director, and Iâve genuinely believed he has a great eye for storytelling and visual filmmaking. When I came back to Austin, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally collaborate.
Ryan and I are both creatives outside of our day jobs, and Senioritis came from a very simple place: we wanted to make something we would actually have fun watching. We love classic buddy comediesâthe chemistry, the ridiculous situations, the characters who make questionable decisions, and the way the comedy comes from watching two friends try to navigate absolute chaos.
We thought, why not take that classic buddy-comedy energy and throw zombies into it?
This felt like the right time to stop talking about making something together and actually do it. Austin has given us the opportunity to build a local creative team, and we want Senioritis to be the beginning of what we hope will be many more projects together.
Weâre not trying to make something overly complicated. We just want to make a genuinely fun movie with great characters, practical zombie effects, lots of laughs, and a story that reminds people why they love watching movies with their friends.
TÌ·he Story đ§ââïž đ§ đ§ââïž
Senioritis follows a group of high school seniors serving Saturday detention when a zombie outbreak begins to spread. What starts as an ordinary Saturday punishment quickly takes a terrifying turn as the students encounter the first signs of the outbreak.
After detention, the group heads to a party, hoping to put the bizarre afternoon behind them. But when the zombie outbreak follows them, the party quickly descends into chaos. Now, they have to navigate the infection, their own questionable decisions, and each other.
At its heart, Senioritis is a horror-comedy about friendship, bad decisions, and the absolute chaos of being young. Weâre combining the energy of a classic buddy comedy with the fun, gore, and absurdity of a zombie movie.
Think ridiculous situations, characters making questionable choices, practical zombie effects, and plenty of moments that will hopefully have you laughing one second and wondering who is going to get eaten the next.
BÌ·ringing the Film to Life
We want Senioritis to feel like a real movieânot just a short film that happens to have zombies in it.
A huge part of that is our practical effects. Weâre working with an FX supervisor to create our zombie makeup and effects, giving the film a tangible, hands-on horror aesthetic rather than relying entirely on digital effects.
We also want to capture the energy of a real Austin production while creating a world that feels nostalgic and familiar. The high school setting, graduation atmosphere, costumes, props, and practical effects will all help establish the world of Senioritis.
Our goal is to create something that feels fun, cinematic, and visually memorable while staying grounded in the character-driven comedy that inspired the project in the first place.
đ§ââïž Where Your Support Goes đ«
Weâre raising $4,000 to help cover the essential costs of bringing Senioritis to life.
Our biggest needs are the people and resources that make the production possible, including our Director of Photography, sound, camera/lighting crew, makeup and production assistance, actors, locations, meals, and zombie effects.
Weâre especially looking for a school location in Austin, which can cost approximately $150â$200 per hour. Austin has become increasingly expensive for creatives, so independent filmmakers often have to stretch every dollar to make a production happen.
Your contribution will help us pay the people working on the film, secure locations, feed our cast and crew, and create the practical zombie effects that are such an important part of the movie.
đ§ââïž Our Team â€ïž
This project is being created by a small team of Austin creatives who are passionate about filmmaking and excited to make something together.
Allison Lyric â Co-Writer, Actor & Co-Producer
Allison is a SAG-AFTRA actor and filmmaker who returned to Austin after living and working in Los Angeles. Senioritis is an opportunity to combine her love of acting and storytelling while building more connections within Austinâs local film community.
Ryan J. Sherrell â Co-Writer & Director
Ryan is a videographer and director whose visual storytelling inspired Allison to finally collaborate with him after returning to Austin. Together, they developed Senioritis from their shared love of comedy, horror, and making movies.
Julia Aponteâ Makeup, Hair, and Prosthetics Artist
Julia is a Houston-based Makeup, Hair, and Prosthetics Artist whose work is rooted in storytelling, character transformation, and practical artistry. With a passion for creating both subtle and transformative looks, she explores the many ways makeup, hair, wigs, and prosthetics can help bring a character and their world to life.
Julia graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA in Wig & Makeup Design. During her time at UNCSA, she developed a diverse skill set across makeup, hairstyling, wig making, special effects, prosthetics, and character design. Her experience has continued to grow through work in film, music videos, theater, and medical simulation.
Now based in Houston, Julia is continuing to build her career within the film and entertainment industry, pursuing opportunities in SFX makeup, prosthetics, hair and makeup, wig work, and moulage. Her goal is to continue growing as an artist, collaborate with creative teams, and create work that feels thoughtful, believable, and connected to the story.
đ§ Whatâs Next â€ïž
Weâre currently preparing for production with our shoot planned for September 26, 2026.
Once filming is complete, weâll move into post-production and begin preparing Senioritis for festivals and future screenings and distribution opportunities. Our supporters will be among the first people to experience the finished film.
We want this project to be more than a one-off short. We want Senioritis to be the beginning of a creative partnership and a local filmmaking community that allows us to keep making movies together.đ§ Help Us Make Senioritis đ©žâ€ïž
If you've ever wanted to see what happens when graduation night meets the zombie apocalypse, now is your chance to help us make it happen.
Every contributionâwhether it's $15, $25, or $100âgets us closer to production. And if you can't contribute financially, sharing our campaign with someone who loves horror, comedy, zombies, or indie filmmaking means just as much to us.
Help us bring Senioritis to life.
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
3D FX Makeup
Costs $300
We need funding for our zombie makeup and SFX budget, including professional SFX artists, prosthetics, makeup, blood, and other products.
Cast & Crew
Costs $2,400
Director of Photography (DP): $750 Sound: $400 AC / Gaffer / Grip: $300 MUA / PA: $450 Actors: $100 day rate per actor
Locations and Meals.
Costs $800
Locations and meals, locations can cost $150â$200/hour. ATX has become increasingly unaffordable for creatives so we need your help!
Set design & Wardrobe
Costs $500
Wardrobe, empty beer / liquor bottles, party supplies, school supplies to set the scene! Visualize what you remember from school and parties
Direct link:
Share this update!
About This Team
Co-Writer/Director/Co-Producer
Ryan is an Austin-based producer-shooter-editor whose experience spans social and editorial content, branded campaigns, and a long list of passion projects.
On set, heâs held nearly every role, but editing is his calling because itâs central to successfully telling a story. He works imaginatively and efficiently to meet deadlines while delivering value with a constant eye toward the audience.
Beyond production, Ryan has developed video content strategies for brands and managed teams responsible for more than 1B social views and $7M+ in revenue. He also performs improv and has produced and starred in his own sketch comedy show, bringing a strong sense of comedic timing to Senioritis.
Co-Writer/Actor/Co-Producer
Allison Lyric is Austin-based actress, writer, producer, and filmmaker who has always been drawn to storytelling both in front of and behind the camera.
She has worked on independent short films and features in both Austin and Los Angeles, gaining experience on sets in a variety of supporting roles. As a Central Texas native, sheâs especially excited to return to Austin and become more involved in the local film community while creating opportunities for other emerging filmmakers and artists.
Allison is a SAG-AFTRA actor with a background in film and electronic media and a passion for creating original stories that blend comedy, heart, and genre. She loves character-driven projects and the kind of movies that make audiences laugh, connect with the characters, and leave wanting to watch them again.
Senioritis brings together her love of acting, filmmaking, and comedy while marking an exciting new chapter in her creative work back home in Texas.
FX Makeup Supervisor
Julia Aponte is a creative from Houston, Texas, who learned by doing, not waiting for permission. Sheâs worked across theatre, student films, and independent projects, taking on whatever role was needed to get the work done right. Each project pushed her to refine her instincts, her taste, and her sense of direction. Grounded in discipline and driven by curiosity, Julia is building a body of work thatâs intentional, hands-on, and unmistakably her own.