Meet the Creators Behind the Film
Welcome to the dark and dedicated heart of our horror film production. We’re a crew of storytellers, mischief-makers, and midnight thinkers—united by a love for what meaning may be found lurking in the shadows. Every scream you hear and body that falls is carefully crafted by our team. Get to know the creators conjuring the nightmare—because behind every victim, there’s someone calling “Action.”
Jeff Corpening
Writer/Director
Jeff is a Writer, Director, and Editor with decades of work in corporate, broadcast, and cable television. Known for his short film The Library and his award-winning Compassion trilogy, he formed Corpening Media to focus on narrative storytelling. Jeff graduated from the University of Miami film school when they were still cutting celluloid, and currently teaches filmmaking and video production at a public high school. He is now producing and directing films in Atlanta, GA.
Betsy Pearl Cardwell
Producer/Director
Betsy has traveled the globe as a Production Manager for various music tours, and has spent decades in the world of live theatre, serving as everything from Artistic Director to Production Manager. Her experience includes managing dance productions and, most-recently, Director of Post Modern Funk Project’s multimedia dance film, Forerunner. She is currently based in Asheville, NC, where Corpening Media was founded.
Evan Purcell
Producer/Writer
Evan is the Writer of the children’s book series Karma Tandin: Monster Hunter. He’s taught English and creative writing to students from Bhutan to Zanzibar, helping over 300 young people publish their first stories and poems. His writing experience includes novels, podcasts, online cartoons, and nonfiction, and he currently works as the English-language editor for Kursiv Media (Wall Street Journal – Central Asia).
Aaron Pelman
Line Producer/UPM
Aaron has contributed to over 20 films, 880 episodes of television and streaming, and 30 plays and live-action performances. In addition to working on location in Hawaii, Haiti, Canada, and across the US mainland, he worked for 8 years at Warner Bros. TV and has credits that include projects for J.J. Abrams, Jerry Bruckheimer, Kathleen Kennedy, Adam Sandler, Amy Sherman-Palladino, John Wells / Aaron Sorkin, Team Downey, and Greg Berlanti.
Heidi Kinder
1st AD
Heidi has a passion for storytelling and brings her fine-tuned skills to various filmmaking roles. Working her way up to Producer from Assistant UPM and Script Supervisor, she has been an integral part of production teams on short films, documentaries and feature films. Heidi also works as a Stage Manager and Producer on live performances and events.
Erik Olsen
Director of Photography
From Germany, Erik moved to the US in the late 1970s and built a successful career in the film industry. He has honed his skills as a director of photography on short and feature films. Erik’s passion for storytelling, combined with his international background, make him a valuable asset, and his dedication to the craft of visual artistry is evident in the quality of his work.
Missy Bell
Script Supervisor
Missy is most often found in the director’s chair, recently completing her debut feature, Erased, but is excited to join our team in this role. Her previous work includes award-winning short films. Before stepping fully into independent filmmaking, Missy built a foundation in the theater, working both on and off stage as an actor beginning in 1983 and as a director since 1999.
Edward Grant
Composer
Edward is a passionate musician on-stage and equally at home in the studio. Trained in guitar, piano and percussion, he brings over a decade of experience in the local New York City music scene to bare when composing scores for feature and short films. Edward has composed soundtracks for several of Corpening Media’s films.