While many people know about the University’s programs dedicated to medicine, communications and business, many people are unaware of the up and coming film program. Delta Rouge is a student organization committed to strengthening the LSU film community from the School of Theatre .
Delta Rouge’s mission is to be a professional resource for students looking to make a career in film. Students in the club are introduced to the atmosphere of a true film set, receiving feedback on ideas, attending specialized workshops and even competing in film festivals.
The club hosts three film festivals a year: “Horribly Short ,” “No Theme ” and “Take Five Take Five.” Each festival is planned strategically to showcase each student’s development as an artist. For “Horribly Short “ in October, students are given a line, a prop and a prompt to incorporate into a short horror film.
“‘Horribly Short ’ is held early in the year so that [students] can get a taste of what it is like to be on set and get a feel for different production positions,” said Nathan Hall , theater senior and president of Delta Rouge .
“No Theme ” is for students to receive criticism and reviews on films they created for their fall semester classes. Having no theme allows each filmmaker to be more creative and unique. “Take Five ” in April is a showcase of the top-quality films produced in the year.
Though Delta Rouge offers its members the tools to become better filmmakers individually, club executives believe that one of the most important lessons is that film is a collaborative effort. Hall explains that one person cannot create a fully-developed film alone. Multiple talents and skills have to be brought together for a film to be successful.
“We try to make students understand that this is an environment where you are working with each other,” Hall said. “You may have your own focus points, but when it comes to big projects its everyone helping to bring that film to life. We try to stress that a film only works as well as you collaborate.”
In order to facilitate these connections, Delta Rouge hosts recorded auditions so student directors can discover the perfect actors to fill their roles and encourages writers to criticize and review each other’s work.
“I have gotten multiple scripts in the past month from students just because I have been awarded in writing,” says Hall “We work to make sure that the students have the connections to make the films that they’d like to.”
Although Delta Rouge is only about two years old, Hall said “the program is on a huge rise.” It is open to anyone who has an interest in film and currently has about 50 dedicated members, an unprecedented number for the club. Hall predicts that the members of Delta Rouge and the LSU School of Theater will soon be ranked among the best universities for film.
“One of our film committee members just got off set working for a film that has Nicolas Cage as one of the stars,” says Hall “I am working on an exciting new feature and have played at a couple of festivals. We have a couple of students who are truly blossoming right now. I’d say in 5 to 10 years you will know some of the students.”
