Working with hundreds of hours of rawfootage, cinematographer Nelson Hill captures the raw, unfiltered reality of Cheryl’s journey. These intimate scenes document her courageous choice to pursue VSED, the steady progression of her illness, and her final days of joy, struggle, and freedom. Ultimately, Cheryl’s story is a profound invitation to reflect on how we choose to live—and leave—the time we have left.

THE FAMILY & FILMMAKERS’ APPROACH

An unfiltered portrayal of Cheryl’s decision to pursue VSED and the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Intimate footage paired with insight from medical, legal, hospice, and end-of-life professionals.

Created as a resource for families facing dementia, caregivers, healthcare and hospice professionals, end-of-life practitioners, educators, and policymakers.

HOW THIS FILM HELPS

Reduces stigma around dementia and end-of-life choice

Increases awareness and understanding of VSED

Supports families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals navigating difficult decisions

Encourages more informed and compassionate conversations around dying

Two women are standing near a fireplace, holding each other's arms and looking at each other with emotional expressions.
An elderly woman and a young man look at a professional camera on a stabilizer in an indoor setting with large windows and a black display board in the background.
Group of five people hugging and smiling on a beach with foggy mountains in the background.

“I know how this is going to go, and that is part of why I have no fear of dying. I am going to do this my way.”

- Cheryl Hauser

November 28, 1946 - June 2, 2023

Older man and woman smiling on the beach, holding drinks, with ocean waves in the background.

FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH:

Thaddeus Mason Pope
JD, PhD, HEC-C, health law professor and bioethicist, ranked among the Top 20 most-cited health law scholars in the United States

Victor Sandler
MD, medical director, HealthPartners, University of Minnesota, Sholom Hospice

Phyllis Shacter
author of Choosing to Die

Hope Wechkin
MD, medical director of EvergreenHealth Hospice and VSED expert

Erin Mae Glass
Partner at Chuckanut Law
Specializing in advising clients on end-of-life related matters.

THE FILMMAKERS

A woman with wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, smiling outdoors against green leafy background, wearing a white sleeveless top and a gold necklace.

  • PRODUCER
    CO-DIRECTOR
    DAUGHTER

    Wendy is a certified end-of-life doula (INELDA, NEDA) and one of the founding members of the Minnesota Death Collaborative. She has supported clients in Minnesota and Wisconsin, worked alongside her mother through VSED, and brings decades of experience as a video and film producer in corporate and advertising settings. Wendy regularly speaks nationally on end-of-life care, VSED, and compassionate guidance, blending professional expertise with deeply personal insight. Learn more at mychemin.com.

A woman with blonde hair wearing glasses and a white shirt, smiling thoughtfully while resting her chin on her hand.

  • CO-DIRECTOR
    DAUGHTER

    Sarah is a certified birth doula, entrepreneur, community connector. She founded Blooma, a pioneering pre- and postnatal yoga and education studio, and has been recognized with multiple awards for her leadership in childbirth education. Her expertise in guiding families through life’s most transformative moments brings depth and compassion to her work co-directing The Cheryl Hauser Effect.

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  • CO-DIRECTOR

    Writer, documentary filmmaker, journalist — and lifelong storyteller. Lindsey Seavert is an Emmy, Edward R. Murrow, and Alfred I. duPont award-winning filmmaker driven to bring untold stories to light. After two decades as a broadcast journalist, she launched her production company, Seavert Studios, following her acclaimed documentary Love Them First. Her work centers on purpose-driven storytelling and the power of film to inspire change. Learn more at seavertstudios.com.
A close-up photo of a man with glasses, short brown hair, and a beard, wearing a light green shirt, with a dark background.

  • SENOR EDITOR

    With decades of experience across corporate, nonprofit, and documentary film, award-winning editor Renny McCauley brings precision, creativity, and heart to every project. Known for his ability to shape vast amounts of footage into laser-sharp, emotionally resonant narratives, his work has screened at major festivals worldwide and aired on PBS, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. His credits include Peace Officer (SXSW Jury & Audience Awards), Stumped (Cleveland International Film Festival winner), and The Insufferable Groo (Doc NYC, Sheffield Doc/Fest). Renny has collaborated with clients including Goodwill, Dell, Yeti, and Mayo Clinic—valued for his ability to craft stories that engage, inform, and inspire. Learn more at rennymccauley.com.

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  • CINEMATOGRAPHER

    Nelson Hill brings a gentle, intuitive touch to The Cheryl Hauser Effect, capturing moments of raw emotion and skillfully directing Cheryl even from behind the camera. His experience spans set design and cinematography on Lost in the Manor and Golden Era to commercial, family, and lifestyle photography—always balancing artistry with warmth. Nelson’s ability to hold a scene, honor authentic emotion, and guide on-camera presence makes him an essential collaborator in telling Cheryl’s story with care and depth. Learn more at nelsonhillphotography.com.

A smiling man with light brown hair, wearing a light blue shirt, sitting at a piano with a window in the background.

  • PRODUCER
    COMPOSER

    Steve Wallack is a successful entrepreneur who has a passion for small businesses and helping them maintain their legacy operations. He has several companies ranging from Whisky to Transportation and is also an accomplished musician who has released 6 critically acclaimed solo piano albums in the last 5 years stephenwallackmusic.com . In addition, he recently produced the independent film BLUE EYED GIRL written by and starring his wife Marisa Coughlan alongside Beau Bridges. He and his wife live in Minnesota with their 4 children.

A blonde woman smiling, wearing a dark blue top, standing in front of a backdrop with partial text and logos.

  • PRODUCER

    Marisa Coughlan is an actress, writer, and director best known for her role as Ursula in Broken Lizard’s cult classic Super Troopers and its sequel. Her career includes standout performances opposite Helen Mirren (Teaching Mrs. Tingle), James Spader (Boston Legal), and ensemble roles in films such as Space Station 76, Infamous, and Fulfillment, the latter of which she also wrote and directed. Most recently, Coughlan wrote and starred in the independent film Blue Eyed Girl opposite Beau Bridges and appeared in Super Troopers 3. As a writer, she works across comedy and drama, often blending the two, with television projects developed for ABC, FOX, The CW, Lifetime, Sony, and Warner Bros. Her collaborators include Greg Berlanti, Jim Parsons, Patricia Heaton, Aaron Kaplan, and Marcos Siega.

    A magna cum laude graduate of USC with a degree in French and Theater, Coughlan now lives in Minneapolis with her husband and four children.

DISTRIBUTION PLAN

Organizations that support The Cheryl Hauser Effect include:

This film will be freely distributed to healthcare and training organizations, community screenings, academic settings, advocacy-driven platforms, and both in-home and theatrical viewing opportunities.