A Rough Start text logo
“I’ve watched Mass Grave Pictures throughout the years, from Blood Slaughter Massacre to Dark Tales from Channel X... there’s simply no one else I would trust to bring my story to life. Their growth as a production company is simply unmatched, and their potential going forward in the future is exponential,” says DeFellipo.”
— Horror Society

One dark night, a masked assailant with a very large knife stalks and attacks a young couple. Only once they come face to face do predator and prey discover that the massacre won't proceed as planned. What happens next is a series of unfortunate events…

    • Best Film, The Late New Jersey HorrorCon (2025)

    • Best Horror/Thriller Director - Manny Serrano, Brightside Tavern Film Festival (2025)

    • Best NJ Actress - Angie Hansen, Brightside Tavern Film Festival (2025)

    • Runner Up Best Horror/Thriller, Brightside Tavern Film Festival (2025)

    • Best Actress - Angie Hansen, Grove Film Festival (2025)

    • Best Comedy Actress - Angie Hansen, Hang Onto Your Shorts (2025)

    • Best Comedy Supporting Actor - Jake Graydon, Hang Onto Your Shorts (2025)

    • Best Horror Film, Long Island International Film Expo

    • Best Horror Short, Mass Indie Film Festival (2025)

    • Best Comedy, Hang Onto Your Shorts (2025)

    • Best Dark Comedy, First Contract (2025)

    • Best Actress - Angie Hansen, First Contract (2025)

    • Best Screenplay, First Contract (2025)

    • New Jersey HorrorCon (2025)

    • Brightside Tavern (2025)

    • Grove Film Festival (2025)

    • Tulsa Underground (2025)

    • Film Basement Horror Awards (2025)

    • Mass Indie Film Festival (2025)

    • Hang Onto Your Shorts (2025)

    • Strange Maynard (2025)

    • FrankenFilm Fest (2025)

    • First Contact (2025)

    • Art of Brooklyn (2025)

    • Lighthouse International (2025)

    • Phantom Frames (2025)

    • Long Island International Film Expo (2025)

    • Northern Horror Fest (2025)

    • Shawna Shea Memorial Film Festival (2025)

  • Angie Hansen – Stefany

    Jake Graydon – The Killer

    Jason M. Lafluer – George

  • Writer/Producer

    • Michael DeFellipo

    Director/Editor

    • Manny Serrano

    Assistant Director

    • Lindsay Serrano

    Cinematography

    • Phil Kral

    Assistant Camera

    • Josh Graydon

    Sound

    • John Marean

    Production Assistant

    • Kevin Therkelsen

    Score

    • Ramon Inoa

A Rough Start poster © Michael DeFellipo
  • Angie Hansen, A Rough Start © Michael DeFellipo
  • A Rough Start © Michael DeFellipo
  • Jason M. Lafluer, A Rough Start © Michael DeFellipo
  • Angie Hansen, A Rough Start © Michael DeFellipo
  • A Rough Start BTS © Michael DeFellipo
  • A Rough Start BTS © Michael DeFellipo
  • A Rough Start BTS © Michael DeFellipo
  • A Rough Start BTS © Michael DeFellipo
  • Jake Graydon, A Rough Start © Michael DeFellipo