Former Ceres High multi-sport athlete Roman Acosta plans to move to the Los Angeles area this summer to study filmmaking.
“I got accepted to Cal State Fullerton,” he said. “I’m still waiting to hear back from UCLA. My life is going to change in the next five to six months. New opportunities and experiences are coming.”
Acosta discovered a new passion in his life after acting in Ceres High’s theatrical production of the Elephant’s Graveyard. He was a sophomore at the time.
“I started acting, then writing, and eventually picked up my first camera,” Acosta said. “It’s been a journey ever since. I give my drama teacher (Stephen Dias) a lot of credit. He encouraged me to audition for a part. He believed in me. I wouldn’t be here without him. The impact he had one me was immense.”
For the second year in a row, Acosta had one of his short films finish in the top 16 at the 48-Hour Film Festival.
“As a young filmmaker, I’m trying to find my own unique vision,” he said. “One that suits me best and one I can stick to for years to come. I want to see progress with every film I make. I’ve seen that. There’s been a big jump in my recent films.”
Acosta’s movie, “Time Waits For No One,” premiered at Modesto's State Theater on March 6.
The film centers around a person that places a bomb in a car that is set to go off with two detectives in it if rules are not taken with precaution.
Acosta and his team had just 48 hours to create a short film lasting no longer than five minutes in the thriller genre.
The finished project was submitted on March 1.
“It does get stressful especially when you’re deadline-driven,” he said. “A lot goes into it. But it’s a fun experience. It’s cool to be working with people that are just as passionate about this stuff.”
Acosta’s parents, Angelo and Lucy, and younger siblings, Angelo III and Natalie, attended the March 6 screening.
“It meant the world to me,” he said. “They really liked it. Everybody did. It’s fun seeing your vision come alive with help from others.”
Acosta is looking forward to starting the next chapter in his life.
“I’m excited,” he said. “I’m also sad to be leaving my family and friends. I’m going to be on a mission when I’m down there. I’m going to be hungry and work hard. It’s going to be a grind but I’m ready for it. I don’t want to let anybody down.”
Acosta graduated from Ceres High in 2017. He competed in cross country, track and field, wrestling and water polo.
