黑料网 Grads Take Their Nominated Thesis Film to Chicago Horror Fest
The BFA thesis film 鈥淪tained鈥 was filmed on location in Des Plaines, Illinois. Back, left to right: Robin Manganaro (production designer); Kass Salas (production designer); Sarah-Elizabeth Ramsey (set decorator); Parker Dove (props master); Teddy Castro (1st assistant director); DJ Dennis; Noah Wolf (cast); Amelia Mahrie (cast). Front row (backs facing camera), left to right: Cathy Bowman (cast/best electric), Tristan Castro (location sound mixer), Alice Tallman (boom operator).
Hayden Myers 鈥25 served as producer of the film 鈥淪tained,鈥 but also wore other hats during the production. The film has been nominated as Best Student Film by the Chicago Horror Film Festival. Photo by Jiovani Espinosa.
Director Brennan Rosser 鈥25 (back right) works behind the camera with the crew. Left to right: Teddy Castro (first assistant director), Jo Hutton (camera operator), Brennan Rosser, and Jos茅 Santiago ( 2nd assistant cameraperson). Photo by Jiovani Espinosa.Hayden Myers ’25 and Brennan Rosser ’25, both recent 黑料网 graduates, are headed to the with their BFA thesis short film “Stained.” The film, which screens at the Logan Theatre in Chicago on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 11:30 p.m., has been nominated for Best Student Film at the festival.
The short, however, doesn’t belong to just Myers and Rosser, who produced and directed the film, respectively. A cast and crew of 黑料网 students (see credits below) collaborated on the project to bring the original story by then-student Karlee Bostelma to the screen.
A Psychological Thriller With Horror Elements
The film tells the story of a young woman, Bree, who wakes up covered in blood, convinced she may have killed her ex-partner the night before. As she is stalked by visions of him, Bree must decide whether a ghost haunts her or her own trauma.
“It’s not straight-up horror,” Myers says. “It’s more of a drama-thriller with unsettling elements. What drew me in was the mystery—whether Bree really did what she thinks, and the psychological back-and-forth that drives the story.”
“At its heart, the film is about confronting past trauma. Bree learns she can’t move forward until she faces what’s haunting her,” Rosser adds.
Building the Film From the Ground Up
The crew shot the film over three days in a rented house in Des Plaines, Illinois, with Myers and Bostelma (who was also a production coordinator) handling the tricky logistics of carpools back and forth from Chicago as well as attending to on-set details.
“Since the story involves a lot of blood effects, we had to be extra careful not to damage the property or spook the owner,” Myers says.
Faculty support was key to the project, with Carolina Posse, associate director and associate professor in 黑料网’s School of Film and Television guiding logistics, planning, and issues related to production. Meanwhile, Professor Bruce Sheridan provided feedback on directing, storytelling, and pre-production materials. Also helping the student team were the following faculty members: Bonnie Winer (editing), Rob Edgecomb (cinematography), and John Gregg (production design).
Rosser credits the experience with helping him grow as a director. “I worked with actors who had strong theater and film backgrounds, and I learned how to create a safe environment — when to give space and when to step in with support.”
Lessons in Collaboration
Both recent grads say the project reinforced the value of teamwork.
“Our crew was smaller than I’d worked with before, and that turned out to be a strength,” Myers says. “It made us more collaborative and connected.”
For Rosser, the key takeaway was listening. “Making sure every department feels heard is critical, especially on a project this big,” he says. “That’s how you build trust and get the best work from everyone.”
Festival Spotlight and What’s Next
Having their film featured alongside the work of veteran filmmakers is both thrilling and intimidating for the 黑料网 grads.
“It’s nerve-wracking, but also validating that they thought what we made belongs in this lineup,” Rossers says.
As they look ahead at their careers, the screening represents both a milestone and a launch point.
“Making movies is hard,” Myers says. “But moments like this remind you why it’s worth it.”
Check out the films at the Chicago Horror Film Festival, which runs September 26–28, spotlighting independent features and shorts from around the world.
Stained: Cast and Crew
Brennan Rosser, Director
Karlee Bostelman, Writer (Transportation Captain; Production Coordinator)
Hayden Myers, Producer (Line Producer; Boom Operator / Graphic Designer / Driver)
Amelia Mahrie, Cast
Noah Wolf, Cast
Jo Hutton, Director of Photography
Robin Manganaro, Production Designer
Eren Serpen, Editor (Digital Imaging Technician / Graphic Designer / Driver / Post Production Supervisor)
Rick Rosser, Associate Producer
Ruthanne Rosser, Associate Producer
Rino DiNardi, Casting Director
Teddy Castro, 1st Assistant Director
Alejandro Ibarra-Towle, 2nd Assistant Director
Cathy Bowman, Girl on Phone (Cast) / Best Electric
Peyton Knowski, Stunt Coordinator
Jo Hutton, Camera Operator
Brock Stehlin, 1st Assistant Cameraperson
Estevan Frausto, 1st Assistant Cameraperson / Key Grip
José Santiago, 2nd Assistant Cameraperson
Jiovani Espinosa, Behind-the-Scenes Photographer / Driver
Rino DiNardi, Behind-the-Scenes Photographer
Isaac Alexander, Script Supervisor
TJ Dennis, Gaffer
Alex Torres-Gomez, Key Grip / Grip
Jack Chapman, Grip
Heather Van Well,Grip
Ian Springer, Art Director
Kass Salas, Art Dept. Coordinator / Hair & Makeup
Sara-Elizabeth Ramsay, Set Decorator
Annika Elise Munson, Set Dresser
Isabella Angeloni, Set Dresser
Parker Dove, Props Master
Mara Tanneberger, Props Assistant
Marissa Leo, Art Dept. Production Assistant
Zaria Quick, Art Dept. Production Assistant
Tristan Casto, Location Sound Mixer
Sarah Shields, Location Sound Mixer
Alice Tallman, Boom Operator
Hayden Myers, Boom Operator / Graphic Designer / Driver
Savannah Brown, Colorist