Major: Film Studies
Minor: Professional Writing
Faculty Shout-out by Pedro Doreste Rodríguez:
“One of the most remarkable student papers I have read during my time at MSU has been Ruben’s. His paper, “The Place of Pedagogy in Revolutionary New Latin American Cinema,” notes an overlooked aspect of the theoretical propositions of the New Latin American Cinema’s early manifestos. So often read for their militancy alone, Ruben deftly points out that so many of these differences were not political, but pedagogical. While the New Latin American Cinema rallied around the foundational metaphor of the camera as a gun, its formative artists, thinkers, and agitators were originally convened by treating the cinema as a classroom. Just a brilliant intervention that I feel I was lucky to have a small part in.”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
It was interesting to say the least. I first started my time at MSU studying neuroscience. I ended up really not connecting with what I was learning, but I had always had a passion for film analysis. I became a film studies major after my first semester and haven’t looked back. Throughout my years at MSU, I have been given amazing opportunities to develop my academic understanding of art. The pride I feel with my work cannot be understated.
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
I need to give flowers to Dr. Pedro Doreste Rodriguez. His class on classic film and media theory was taught excellently, with myself gaining knowledge on Walter Benjamin and Theodor Adorno. Outside of class, he personally helped me in the graduate school application process, recommending schools I should apply to and looking over my statement of purpose. I would also like to mention Rick Blackwood, who fostered my love of creative writing in his Introduction to Screenwriting class. He was a wonderful supporting figure this year and really pushed my talents forward.
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
I would say make as many connections as you can early on. Nowadays it is really hard for people to socialize, but building those friendships can be really beneficial down the road. The other people I have met through my degree have helped me produce some of my best work. I would also recommend taking classes that may be out of your comfort zone to gain experience. I took a physics class to get a better understanding of the subject and while I did struggle at times, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to learn something new.
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
I’m currently working on my final for FLM 400 Voicing Cinema. I am researching how the voice of gay men has been used as an indicator for villainy in throughout the history of American films. I look at films such as The Maltese Falcon and The Lion King in order to understand how the voice developed pre and post Hays Code. I have worked incredibly hard on this and I am excited to finally read the finished product.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
I am committed to going to North Carolina State University this fall to get my masters degree in English with a focus in film studies. I will also be a teaching assistant during my time there. I hope to continue my education by getting my PhD and teaching in the future.