Theater student takes on new role: film producer
By Audrey Ramos, Features Editor
Throughout the school year, during homecoming season, into the holidays, amid flu season, and during the late nights of “Anastasia” rehearsals and final exams, junior Ethan Maldonado added another task to his plate: filmmaking
Maldonado has been making short films for nine months and has been participating in multiple films for three years. Some may know him as simply a successful actor, but as of September 2025, Maldonado shifted to producing his own films through his production company, Titan Studios.
“I decided that instead of waiting for acting jobs to come to me, I’d make my own,” Maldonado said.
By taking matters into his own hands, Maldonado has now created two short films. But everyone starts somewhere, and for Maldonado that start was the inspiration of a very well-loved film franchise.
“My favorite part of the process is being able to do whatever I love with full creative control and all the friends I make out of it,” Maldonado said. “My least favorite is the stress of deadlines and making it all possible.”
Maldonado first started with stage acting in elementary school, then moved to film acting in commercials when he was 14. Now he has successfully worked as a director, cinematographer, editor and actor in two of his very own short films. The process of filmmaking, especially as a full-time student, is not an easy feat.
His newest short film, “Paper Shoes,” explores the theme of confidence and the fear of failure diminishing possibilities. The production of “Paper Shoes” took place in the fall of 2025, and the film was released in February 2026.
“The most rewarding part of the process is seeing the final product on the big screen,” Maldonado said.
Another part of Maldonado’s filmmaking is the community. Maldonado utilized his own family and friends to help make his short films. This gave opportunity to multiple students to be able to be in a professional film environment and provided Maldonado with all the help he needed to be successful.
“I really enjoyed working on ‘Paper Shoes’ because it was an excellent script and it was fun because I’ve never done sound before for anything,” junior Evie Pflug said, “It was super fun to kind of build a community with all the other actors and tech people and just make a great film.”
“Paper Shoes” has been very successful, amassing over 12,000 views on YouTube. Now, Maldonado is working on his third short film, which will be called “Gamophobia” and will focus on the fear of commitment.
“I hope to be widely known and successful for my art so that I can inspire others just how I was inspired,” Maldonado said.
Photos courtesy Ethan Maldonado
