OUR STORY
With a love of making videos since high school, Sebastian Russell created Virtual Cocktail, which is still dedicated to short films and narrative projects. Today, he and his closest friends, use their collective knowledge from studying film and years of experience working for PBS, the Big Ten Network, various commercial production companies, theatre companies, and more to ensure that Third Rule Media produces fantastic and affordable video. As filmmakers who understand the constraints a low budget can create, Third Rule Media strives to work with its clients to bring an eye-catching finished project for a competitive price.
OUR TEAM
SEBASTIAN RUSSELL
Director, Director of Photography, Writer, Editor
Sebastian finds it hard writing a bio about himself, as he doesn’t like talking about himself. He created this company to make interesting video, and help give his friends experience. He uses his Narrative Filmmaking degree from Indiana University and his five plus years of production experience to make films, music videos, commercials, and more. He likes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: Secret of the Ooze a whole lot.
MAGGIE CRADY
Producer, Script Supervisor
Maggie Crady is a producer and script supervisor living in the Northern Kentucky area. They have worked on a wide variety of productions in various capacities, ranging from live sports broadcasting, commercials, shorts and feature films, including Kelly Reichardt’s The Mastermind. As a producer with Third Rule Media, Maggie is passionate about inclusivity and creating positive work environments for all on set. Originally from Noblesville, Indiana, Maggie graduated from Indiana University in 2020 with degrees in Media Production and Criminal Justice.
OUR COLLABORATORS
BRYCE CARSON
Editor, Actor, Writer, Set Construction
A media company could not exist without multitalented people like Bryce Carson. Besides his degree in Media Production that he received from Indiana University, he also has a robust background in scenic construction, acting, scriptwriting, and more. Bryce Carson has featured in several Virtual Cocktail films including “Fired” and “The Armor.” Most importantly though, he likes lanterns.
KAYLA CIESLINKSI
Costuming, Art Department
Extending her creativity to Virtual Cocktail and Third Rule Media, Kayla loves creating costumes and other crafty things including her award-winning cosplays. Although she comes from a theatrical background, she is always excited to help with whatever is thrown at her regardless of the medium. Check out her work in “Hello, My Name is Friend-Man,” where she constructed the costume for the character Super.
RACHEL Z. MEYER
Location Sound Mixer
Rachel Z. Meyer has a BA in studio art from Macalester College and began her journey into the audio world in radio during undergrad. Eventually, she ended up sound mixing and loved it. She has gone on to do location sound on everything from narrative to corporate to documentary. It has always been important to her to make art that is relatable to all kinds of people. Outside of work she practices MMA, swims, kayaks, writes, and hangs out with her dog. She is also a mixed media collage artist.
SEAN PAUL RUSSELL
Writer, Actor
By day, Sean Paul Russell is a math graduate student in a Ph.D. program at Indiana University, but by night, he is…usually still studying math. However, when he isn’t studying, he writes, acts, and makes graphics for short films. He has been a part of most Virtual Cocktail productions in various capacities, including co-writing and acting in both “Hello My Name is Friend-Man” and “The Armor.”