Rarest Rose
"What you seek is seeking you."
A troubled videographer sets out to make a
documentary about a charismatic musician and
activist — only to be pulled into a criminal
investigation of her untimely death.
Plot
When Malcolm, a young videographer, sets out to make a tribute video about deceased former classmate Rose May—a celebrated musician and homelessness activist—he hopes to honor a rare and radiant soul.
But interviews with those closest to her reveal a far more complicated portrait: a luminous yet fractured young woman, shadowed by childhood trauma and the development of an alternate personality.
What begins as a film about a videographer making a tribute video devolves into a criminal investigation involving addiction, obsession, and human trafficking.
Director's Statement
Rarest Rose offers a simple yet devastating premise: that as long as modern humanity remains disconnected from its inner children, we are all, in the deepest sense, homeless.
Through the mythic, cinematic story of celebrated homelessness activist and musician Rose May, the film explores the concept of "spiritual homelessness" not only by revealing the hidden dimensions of trauma, but the unparalleled power it contains—if we are brave enough to face it.
Above all, Rarest Rose is a story about transcendence. It is my intention to grip the audience with what appears to be a murder mystery on the surface, while quietly guiding them toward a deeper, visceral emotional understanding: that even in the depths of despair, what you seek is seeking you.
In the end, Malcolm solves two mysteries: what really happened to Rose May, and what she was really trying to show the world. It's the same truth revealed to her before her untimely death: that as long as humanity remains estranged from its inner children, we are all, in the deepest sense, homeless.
Rarest Rose is fiscally sponsored by Creative Visions, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports creative activists, those that use the arts and media to ignite social change.
THE TEAM
BRAD ETTER
WRITER/DIRECTOR
Brad Etter is a filmmaker, writer, and director whose work spans narrative film, documentary storytelling, music videos, and commercial media. A graduate of the Film Directing program at Tribeca Flashpoint Academy, he began his career in post-production before transitioning into directing original narrative projects.
His directorial work includes the award-winning short films Morning Announcements and Me + You, both recognized for their emotional depth and distinctive visual style.
Over the past decade, Brad has developed and produced a wide range of creative projects while continuing to refine his voice as a storyteller, frequently collaborating with producer Julia Steinberg across music videos, narrative works, and feature film development.
He is the founder of New Mythos Productions and is currently developing Rarest Rose, his first original feature film.
JULIA BARBIE
PRODUCER
Julia Steinberg is a producer, director, and creative executive with more than fifteen years of experience developing films, music videos, and multimedia projects. A graduate of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), she began her creative career with a background in computer science, design, and visual media before expanding into producing and artist development.
Known for her leadership, organizational expertise, and collaborative approach, Julia has overseen a wide range of productions, consistently delivering projects on time and within budget, and treated her crew like royalty along the way.
Julia has collaborated with Brad Etter for more than a decade across music videos, narrative projects, and feature film development. She currently serves as Producer of Rarest Rose and plays a key role in the development of New Mythos Productions.
LEILA STEINBERG
PRODUCER
Leila Steinberg is a producer, artist manager, educator, and social impact leader whose career spans more than three decades across music, film, and community advocacy. Best known as the mentor and first manager of Tupac Shakur, she has dedicated her career to developing artists and using storytelling as a catalyst for healing, emotional literacy, and social change.
As founder of AIM4TheHeART, she empowers youth through creative expression and arts-based education. Throughout her career, Leila has collaborated with artists, educators, and community organizations to amplify underrepresented voices while producing projects that bridge entertainment and social impact.
As a producer on Rarest Rose, Leila brings decades of experience supporting meaningful dialogue around trauma and addiction, and using storytelling to inspire empathy, healing, and lasting social change.
ANNIE ELLIS
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER & Stunt Consultant
Annie Ellis is a veteran Hollywood stuntwoman, stunt coordinator, and second-unit director whose extraordinary career spans more than four decades and over 150 feature films.
A second-generation stunt professional, Ellis has performed and doubled for some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and contributed to landmark productions including Waterworld, Twister, Fatal Attraction, The Matrix Reloaded, The Fast and the Furious franchise, Iron Man, The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Pacific Rim: Uprising.
With expertise spanning horse work, water work, fights, and precision driving, Ellis has become one of the most accomplished and respected stuntwomen in the industry.
BOBBY BALDANZA
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Bobby Baldanza is a seasoned cinematographer and camera-and-lighting professional whose career spans film, television, documentary, and commercial production.
With more than 80 screen credits, Baldanza has worked across acclaimed productions including CIA, Law & Order: Organized Crime, The Four Seasons, and Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, bringing extensive experience in large-scale professional production environments.
His rare combination of cinematography, lighting, and technical expertise gives him an unusually comprehensive understanding of the visual language of film—from the conception of an image to the execution of it on set.
REID ETTER
SONGWRITER - ROSE'S ORIGINAL MUSIC
Reid Etter is a singer-songwriter and musician whose work is rooted in a lifelong passion for music and emotionally driven storytelling. As a performer, he has appeared at iconic Los Angeles venues including The Viper Room, developing a distinctive voice shaped by both classic and contemporary rock influences.
For Rarest Rose, Reid is developing the original songs performed by Rose May, helping to define and capture the character's iconic artistic identity and vast, conflicted inner world through music.
The project marks his first major creative collaboration with writer-director Brad Etter, bringing together two brothers whose artistic paths have evolved in parallel for many years.
NORMAN KIM
COMPOSER
Norman Kim is a Las Vegas-based composer and songwriter working across film, television, video games, and the concert stage. From writing music for Showtime's Dexter to arranging McDonald's Super Bowl spots to orchestrating and performing at the Krakow Film Music Festival, he has built a career on emotional and intimate musical landscapes. As a multi-instrumentalist, Norman performs and records most of the instruments himself, from guitars and strings to gayageum and vocals.
He now runs 10th Symphony, a boutique music company built with his wife, where they focus on scoring major ad campaigns for brands including Toyota, Nike, and Zara. Norman is also currently composing a new ballet, set to premiere in early 2028.
DELMAR MAURICE
MAKEUP DEPARTMENT HEAD
Delmar Maurice is a Los Angeles-based Hair & Makeup Artist, Department Head, and Creative Director with over 15 years of experience across film, editorial, advertising, and celebrity beauty. A licensed cosmetologist, he has built a diverse career working with talent, global beauty brands, and productions ranging from national campaigns and editorial shoots to red carpet events and independent feature films. His work has been featured in publications including Vogue, Vogue France, and ELLE.
His approach to hair and makeup goes beyond aesthetics, using character development, storytelling, and attention to detail to help bring a production’s creative vision to life. Whether leading a department or working directly with talent, he combines technical expertise with an editorial eye and a collaborative approach on set.
MASAI PAYAN
COSTUME DESIGNER
Masai Payan is a Los Angeles–based fashion designer and pattern maker with more than a decade of experience across fashion and entertainment. He has served as First Pattern Maker for brands including Yeezy, Drake, Miaou, and Maisie Willen, specializing in advanced draping, couture and tailored construction, pattern development, and technical problem-solving.
His work includes garments for Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Kim Kardashian, Billie Eilish, Chelsea Handler, Gigi Goode, and Brook Lynn Hytes. Combining a designer’s eye with deep technical expertise, Masai approaches each project as both storytelling and craftsmanship, creating distinctive garments at the intersection of character, artistry, and precision.
JASON SAYADA
PRODUCTION SOUND MIXER
Jason Sayada is a working Audio Engineer and Producer based in Los Angeles and the founder of Sayada Sound. His mission is to shape powerful stories through sound and music. Known for his precision and adaptability, Jason is trusted by repeat collaborators who value his ability to bring clarity, depth, and emotion to their projects.
He has worked with clients on various projects including Netflix, Amazon, Sega, and Roland, delivering polished audio for feature films, series, podcasts, commercials, and more.