Ormond Beach native in Amazon Prime thriller

Ormond Beach native Shaun Melady stars in “The Disturbance Call,” a short film produced by Unit 11 Pictures that is now available on Amazon Prime Video.

Melady holds a lead role in the production as rookie police officer Phil Eriscon. During a night patrol, he and his partner Marty Cruz (Israel Acevedo) must assist a woman haunted by a strange visitor outside her home.

“What we think is just a normal night, it becomes like a slow-burning story that just ramps up,” Melady said. “It turns out to be an unexpected night of thrills.”

The film also explores the relationship between Eriscon and Cruz, a seasoned veteran on the force.

“I’m trying to, you know, play things by the book and really look up to my partner and take his lead but also kind of like carve a name of my own,” Melady said. “When you’re on a night shift, it’s just the two of you, so being able to see the ins and outs of our relationship as coworkers and all that is really neat.”

Melady said he’s not one to view thrillers, but he enjoyed starring in one.

“I’m not really one that typically watches thrillers, but playing in it is a different story,” the 29-year-old actormodel said with a laugh. “It was just so cool.”

Working with Unit 11 Pictures was a “blast,” as Melady said he was included in most of the production process.

“They showed us the storyline, the images, the color effects, like everything that they wanted for setting the mood ... and the arc of the characters,” he said. “It was just really nice to be a part of.”

Melady said he has always been passionate about the entertainment industry.

Growing up, he was involved with youth group shows at his church, Holly Hill Church of Christ in Daytona Beach. In school, he performed in musicals and plays.

After graduating from Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Melady pursued a public relations degree at Harding University in Arkansas, where he continued to act and sing, including dressing as a zombie during a Spring Sing musical number at his college.

Melady’s public relations background has proven helpful. In Central Florida, where many of his relatives currently reside, he worked for SeaWorld Orlando and NASCAR before moving to New York City to pursue a career in entertainment fulltime.