Keanu Reus ’19 didn’t have to wait until after graduation to screen his film in a movie theater.
This month, the economics major with a minor in film studies was one of the students to share their movies at a year-end showcase at Whittier Village Cinemas, near campus. The short directed by Reus, Experimental Love, told the story of an android struggling to find purpose. It was well received, and after Reus graduates, he plans to continue pursuing a career in the industry, which he feels prepared for after his time at Whittier.
“Coming to Whittier College, I simply just wanted to be able to be more involved, and I thought the best way to do that was through my interests,” Reus said. He signed up for Halo Halo Club, where he embraced his Filipino ethnicity, and joined the William Penn Society.
He also followed his passion for movies and joined the Video Production Studio (VPS) club, to complement his film studies courses. Through VPS, Reus gained hands-on experience planning, directing, and editing stories, building his resume with every project.
“I feel like I’ve established valuable connections during my time with these organizations,” he said, adding that the William Penn Society in particular has given him bonds and a brotherhood that will last him a lifetime.
His studies in economics also gave him a better understanding of the choices made in the production of filmmaking, in both the business and creative side. His senior project, titled “Big Profit in Little China: Effects of Catering to Chinese Audiences on Box Office Revenue,” focused on both economics and film by looking at the benefits and risks behind producing a movie released to a foreign audience.
