Barelight Studios, an independent, student-led production company based in central Missouri, has officially entered production on its debut short film, “Archetypes," now filming on location at Stephens College in Columbia.

The project is directed and co-written by Mexico native Ethan Wiley, alongside Stephens College student Addison Haag.

Archetypes is a character-driven drama exploring identity, love, and self-reclamation through the lens of costume design. The screenplay was previously recognized as a selected entry at the AtomaCon Film Festival and a finalist at the Oxford Script Awards.

The film follows a college costume design student tasked with creating and embodying four archetypes over the course of a year-long assignment. As each design reflects a different stage of her relationship, she finds herself shifting from confident and radiant to increasingly restrained. When the truth behind the relationship surfaces, she must confront how much of herself she has altered in the name of love — and ultimately rediscover who she is.

The production features a cast of local and student talent, led by Jefferson City native Natalie Samson as Grace, a passionate and introspective design student whose emotional journey anchors the film. Cade Sharp voices Adam, Grace's boyfriend, whose warmth gradually gives way to emotional distance, and Rebecca Lambert appears as the Professor, a thoughtful and observant instructor who initiates the project that drives the story.

“This story is about the quiet ways people lose themselves in love — and what it takes to come back from that,” Wiley said. “We wanted to create something intimate and honest that reflects real emotional experiences.”

Directed by Wiley, co-founder of Barelight Studios, the film emphasizes a contained, performance-driven approach, relying on visual storytelling and subtle emotional shifts. Haag, a Stephens College student, serves as Director of Photography and Costume Designer, using the film’s four archetypes to track the protagonist’s internal transformation visually.

“This is a story I, and so many others around me, have lived,” Haag said. “I had just gone through it myself when Ethan approached me with his first draft. I had all this pain sitting in my chest that I wanted to pour into something good — something that would help others in the same situation. And the stars of our skill sets aligned perfectly to make it happen.”

For Wiley, the project also represents an important step forward as a filmmaker from mid-Missouri.

“It’s really special to be able to come from a smaller community like Mexico and bring those experiences into storytelling,” Wiley said. “This is just the beginning of what we hope to keep building.”

Filming is currently underway at Stephens College, with production expected to wrap in the coming weeks. Archetypes will be submitted to film festivals following completion.