‘Backrooms’ Producer James Wan Reveals Director Kane Parsons Was Just 16 When They Met

A recent report about Backrooms reveals that director Kane Parsons was only 16 years old when he first connected with Hollywood producer James Wan regarding the adaptation of his viral internet series into a feature film.

James Wan, renowned for his work on horror films like Saw and Insidious, shared that their initial meeting took place over Zoom. The team was unaware of Parsons’ young age until later in the process.

Wan noted, “We didn’t realize until we reached out that Kane was still in high school.”

Parsons created Backrooms as a series of short “found footage” style videos online, inspired by the concept of endless, eerie empty spaces. The clips gained immense popularity, attracting the attention of Hollywood studios interested in transforming it into a full-length movie.

Despite his youth, Wan found Parsons’ idea compelling right away. He described the project as something innovative and distinct from conventional horror themes.

He expressed, “It felt unique. It felt different. There was a vibe and a concept that seemed fresh.”

The film was ultimately produced by Blumhouse-Atomic Monster, with Wan serving as a producer. This project expanded Parsons’ short-form internet concept into a comprehensive feature film with a broader narrative and cast.

According to the production team, Parsons lacked formal film training when he began working on the movie. As a result, experienced producers and filmmakers were enlisted to mentor him throughout the process. This included guidance from established directors and producers who helped him adapt to the demands of a large studio production.

Producer Kori Adelson noted that the industry is increasingly welcoming to young creators emerging from platforms like YouTube. She stated that filmmakers like Parsons have grown up online and possess a unique understanding of how to engage audiences in ways that traditional systems have not.

The production also involved assisting Parsons in transitioning from creating short videos with his own software to directing a full cast and crew. He had previously utilized Blender, a free CGI tool, to craft much of his early work and pre-visualize scenes prior to filming.

Producers indicated that this preparation helped maintain organization during production and allowed the team to plan more meticulously than usual for a film of this nature.

Michael Clear, another producer on the film, remarked that Parsons had a profound understanding of the world he created. He explained that although Parsons was new to professional filmmaking, he had a clear vision for the story and visuals.

Due to his age and background, some online speculation suggested that Parsons might not have been the true director of the film. However, those involved in the production firmly refuted those claims.

One producer stated unequivocally, “Kane was the director of the movie — full stop.”

The report also emphasizes how Backrooms has become part of a broader trend where young filmmakers from YouTube and other online platforms are making their way into Hollywood. The success of such projects is prompting studios to seek out new voices from digital spaces rather than relying solely on traditional film schools.

For James Wan and the producing team, this experience has demonstrated how ideas born on the internet can evolve into significant studio films. They believe that creators like Parsons symbolize a new generation of filmmakers who have a direct and authentic connection with online audiences.

As one producer noted, the industry is rapidly changing, and audiences are responding positively to fresh and unexpected ideas.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!