After several years as a lead actor in the Colorado indie film scene, Mark Mitten expanded into writing and directing. He began with a web series called The Adventures of Homeless Roy (in which he also starred as the titular character). Next, he wrote and directed a western short film, Hard To Quit, and filmed it in the Colorado mountains near Ouray. Most recently, he has created an animated music video, an animated book trailer, and now a 31 minute animated western film called Blood on the Rocks. This untold tale is inspired by the true story of the "Colorado Cannibal," Alferd Packer. (Also spelled, later in life, "Alfred"). Mitten is also a published author of five novels (four through Sunbury Press and one through Wild Ridge Press).