While professors Sam Henderson and Maverick Moore have worked extensively in the short film space — while also co-teaching a class on it in the film department — the most recent project for the duo, a short film titled “Ado”, has made the shortlist for Best Live Action Short Film at the Oscars.

Bean began her education with a degree in theater, but after she was given the opportunity to direct a scene from “True West,” a play by Sam Shepard depicting American idealism, she realized her passion for directing.