Rockford native to show first feature film, ‘Secret of Bog Lake,’ at Classic Cinemas in Beloit

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
Get our free e-newsletter

BELOIT, Wis. — A Rockford native who spent years working in the adventure travel industry before turning to filmmaking is preparing to showcase his debut feature film at a special screening this week.

Steve Gustafson, a 1983 Guilford High School graduate, wrote and directed the independent film “Secret of Bog Lake.” It screens at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday at Classic Cinemas Beloit Theatre, 2799 Cranston Road.

More news: Rockford nonprofit opens new behavioral health center, launches program to support youth with severe needs

The one hour and 40-minute film is a blend of horror and comedy that Gustafson modeled after films from his youth.

“I grew up in the era of Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Ferris Bueller,” he said. “I wanted to do a film that was more old-school funny.”

Gustafson’s picture is intended to illicit both laughs and frights. He drew filmmaking influence from the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and Quentin Tarantino, among others.

“A good artist mimics other good artists,” Gustafson said. “You don’t just follow one person, you kind of copy many people and then your own style emerges out of that.”

The movie was primarily shot in Eagle River, Wisconsin. People familiar with the area will recognize local pubs such as Marina Bar at the Everett Resort. The Eagle River Chain of Lakes were the backdrop for several outdoor scenes, and some of Gustafson’s friends even served as extras in the film.

“Everything in that film is near and dear to my heart in one way or another,” he said.

Gustafson went from Guilford to Rock Valley College and then to Western Illinois University, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree.

His path to filmmaking came after 26 years in the adventure travel industry, including a chain of zip line businesses. Among his businesses was Zip Rockford at Alpine Hills Adventure Park, which ran for eight years before closing in 2022.

It was that industry that spurred his interest in moving pictures. He launched a television production company and developed a nonscripted reality TV show centered around his zip line business. Zip Away TV was later broadcast on streaming services such as Travel Channel, Action Channel and WGN America. The production company also developed its own Roku and Amazon TV channels.

Gustafson is primarily self taught, and he learned music score from his friend John Payne of the British-American rock group Asia.

“If you would’ve asked me three years ago if I’d have a feature film by now, I probably would’ve laughed at you,” he said.

“Don’t give up. Don’t give up. Don’t give up. … To any aspiring directors or filmmakers out there in the Rockford area, look at me. If I can do it, by God, they can do it.”

“Secret of Bog Lake” was shot on a micro budget in 2023, and Gustafson said it received a warm reception in May at its Eagle River debut. Then, in July, the movie’s lead actor Eric Newnham won the award for best actor at the Crown Point International Film Festival in Chicago.

“I went from a nobody in the industry to now an award-winning film director,” Gustafson said with a laugh. “It’s kind of a funny thing to say out loud.”

If you go | ‘Secret of Bog Lake’

What: See “Secret of Bog Lake,” written and directed by Steve Gustafson, followed by a meet-and-greet with Gustafson and lead actor Eric Newnham.

When: 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18

Where: Classic Cinemas Beloit Theatre, 2799 Cranston Road, Beloit, Wis.

Tickets: $12, Go HERE

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas