Chippewa Valley Times

Nine UW-Stout students recently traveled 1,200 miles from Menomonie to Anaconda, Mont., to film a Western short titled “Ghosts of Gold Creek.” The capstone project, set in 1868, follows a U.S. marshal investigating the murder of a mayor in a small mining town.

Co-writers Zach Hoffmire and Nicos Wiard shared their inspiration for the film, with Wiard stating, “But what if he didn’t drown? What if he was murdered?” Hoffmire added, “We felt a bit bad taking a historical figure and twisting him to be a greedy monster, when in reality, he was mostly just an unsuccessful politician. But that's fiction, I guess.”

The crew faced challenges due to limited budget and time constraints, with Wiard mentioning, “It was tough working with locations we hadn’t seen in person before.” Despite the obstacles, they successfully completed the project, showcasing their professionalism and teamwork.

Program Director Keif Oss commended the students, stating, “It speaks to the tenacity of our students to make great work while navigating a complex project environment.” Oss expressed his admiration for the team's ability to execute the project within budget and with high expectations.

The seniors' work will be showcased at the School of Art and Design Senior Show on May 3, where 14 senior capstone movie trailers, including “Ghosts of Gold Creek,” will be featured. Additionally, the Unspooled Film and Animation Festival from May 9 to 11 will screen many of the seniors' capstone films, with the “Ghosts of Gold Creek” crew leading a panel discussion on May 9.

The students' dedication and creative prowess have been evident throughout the production of “Ghosts of Gold Creek,” showcasing their talents and setting a high standard for future endeavors in the field of video production.