Film festival welcomes UCF grad student

For master's degree-seeking Max Rousseau, the world of film resonated with him ever since he was 9 years old, admiring big-hit films produced by famous individuals such as Jerry Bruckheimer.

Originally set on following the footsteps of Bruckheimer as a producer, Rousseau sees himself leaning toward becoming a writer and director. Now selected as a participant in the Vancouver International Film Festival for his film, Opus, Rousseau described his shock at receiving such a prestigious honor.

"I'm excited," he said. "It's crazy because I didn't think it would get that far. It's a really big honor for me; a lot of people's first festivals are regional, and Vancouver is my first."

The film was first selected by UCF for its "5 Stories DVD," in which the film department selects five of the strongest pieces created by students that it feels are of professional quality. From there, the department assists students in choosing film festivals to submit their works, as well as choosing a few of their own. In Rousseau's case, the department's choice was Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Opus centers on a young piano prodigy who struggles to fit in, with her only comfort her piano and her music teacher.

The story progresses in a Rocky-like atmosphere, detailing her struggle to prepare for her prestigious piano concerto while harboring romantic notions for her teacher that he later reciprocates. As a piano player himself, Rousseau connected personally with the film.

"I'm really glad I got the chance to make this film," he said. "One of my second passions is music, and I wanted to make a film to tie my two passions of music and film together."

As a feature film director, a teaching assistant, a professor of Foundations of Story and a student, Rousseau has his hands full. The Master of Fine Arts program at UCF is very selective, choosing only five or six students annually; it's the only one in the country that allows students to produce a feature film instead of the generalized short film genre, a plus for Rousseau.

Also selected for an assistantship within the MFA program, Rousseau is now the teaching assistant for professor Christopher Harris, a position, he said, which is worthwhile.

"At first, I was a little stressed because it's a lot of work," Rousseau said. "I've learned a lot, [and] it supplements my program. It's been rewarding because you get to share your experiences with people coming into the discipline and give them a heads up of what they're getting into."

In the process of gaining his film MFA, Rousseau finds himself working on his micro-budget feature film, a film 60 minutes or more with a budget of $50,000 or less, required for all MFA students.

The film, Pembroke Circle, is a trafficking-based film that follows characters in an upper class cul-de-sac, approaching the widespread topic in an environment that Rousseau feels will surprise his audience.

His required feature film will be his first to direct alone, which he hopes will give him the experience he needs to make another shortly thereafter. The school project is a "stepping-stone" for Rousseau; where he hopes to see himself in the independent film industry after college.

"Everybody would love to get on the Hollywood scene, but I would love the freedom to make the films I want to make," Rousseau said. "I think now my heart is in independent film, [with] those more human, character-driven stories. I enjoy features because it gives you the time to sync in with the characters and the time to get into a story."

Though driven to the arts in a film medium specifically, Rousseau underlined the importance for students to acknowledge the arts programs at UCF, whether it be theater, music, film or art-based, and to support them in any way possible.

To Rousseau, going for a MFA is a chance for students to broaden their knowledge and experience base.

"If a person feels passionate about the discipline they're getting into, they should consider getting an MFA; it gives them a higher sense of community and helps them if they want to teach," he said. "I want to get an MFA to further my education and to have that experience in a higher education environment."

For those interested in Rousseau's upcoming feature, check out his website, www.pembrokecircle.com, or find and "like" his feature on Facebook and Twitter.

Students can also check out the trailer and a behind the scenes clip for his short film, Opus, at www.vimeo.com/maxrousseau/opustrailer and www.vimeo.com/maxrousseau/opusbts.

Rousseau finally described his future within the film industry.

"My goal is just to challenge myself," Rousseau said. "I want to create films that resonate with people. This feature film is really what's in the horizon for me."