WKU News

Max Etienne always knew he wanted to do "anything and everything." A self-described curious person, he found that film provided the perfect opportunity to explore a multitude of worlds, professions, and stories all in one career. "You can spend half a year researching firefighters or restaurants, learn all this, apply it to movie logic, and bada bing, bada boom, you basically get all the careers rolled up into one," he explained.

Growing up in Dale, Indiana, Max bonded with his father over television. "He used to show us the TV shows and things he grew up watching. Anytime he was home, he'd be sitting in the recliner watching TV. It was really the best way I got to bond with him." Some of his dad's favorites included The Andy Griffith Show, MASH*, Hogan’s Heroes, and Happy Days—classic sitcoms that left a lasting impression.

When it came time to choose a college, Max was drawn to WKU because of its film program. "I had a couple of friends a few years ahead of me that were like, ‘Oh my gosh, WKU is where I’m going because they’ve got a good film program.’" The decision felt natural, especially since it was the only local college with a dedicated film major.

Now in his first year, he’s already immersed in the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program. "No matter what, you’re going to have to take a class that teaches you all the basic terminology, cinematography, and screenwriting. You watch a lot of movies—a lot of very good movies." So far, The Shawshank Redemption, A Face in the Crowd, and Seven Samurai have left an impression.

Max's love for film isn’t limited to the big screen—he’s drawn to sitcoms as well. "It’s what I find more fun to do. You get a lot more time with characters and settings, and you just get to have a lot more fun with it." He particularly enjoys mockumentary-style comedies like The Office, where the humor comes from characters' obliviousness to their own absurdity.

Beyond film, Max is deeply involved in WKU’s Mahurin Honors College. "I’ve been in advanced classes for so long that when I heard that a college offered an honors program, it just felt like a natural choice." He appreciates the academic benefits, including priority registration, and the opportunity to be surrounded by students who share his drive.

His HON 251 class helped him connect with the campus and the community, including a civic project focused on ranked-choice voting. "Our politics is basically this side or that side. The idea of ranked-choice voting is to give other parties a better chance, so people who vote outside the two major parties don’t feel like their votes are thrown away."

Max has also embraced campus life. "If you just sit in your dorm all the time, you’re definitely going to want to go home. But if you get to know people, get involved, and put yourself out there, you start to feel at home here." He’s built friendships through film screenings, church, and casual movie nights with friends. Lately, they’ve debated between watching Gremlins or The Three Amigos—though a full Avengers marathon is also on the table.

His knack for organizing gatherings has led him to take on leadership roles, sometimes by accident. "I was volun-told to host poker night," he joked, referencing how he stepped up when his HON 251 instructor, Crystal Bohlander, asked if anyone knew how to play. The poker evening, in which students used beans to place their bets, introduced students to the basics of statistical thinking, and served as a fun living learning community social event. That same enthusiasm led to him unexpectedly running a Friendsgiving dinner for the LLC. "Someone had put it together, but they had another event right before, so they weren’t going to make it on time. I got there early, saw that nothing was set up, and just started organizing things. Next thing I knew, there was a mob chant for me to carve the turkey."

While Max is still figuring out the future, he knows one thing for sure—his passion for film is deeply personal. "I didn’t realize how much of an impact my dad had on me with film and television until he was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away two weeks later. That’s definitely been a big reason why I’ve gone into film—because I’d love to create something that other people can watch with their families and bond over, just like we did."

For now, Max is taking things one step at a time, enjoying every moment. And if you’re ever looking for him on campus, there’s a good chance you’ll find him at Fresh Food Company, indulging in twisted fries and a hot dog—or perhaps at the cookie station, hoping for that perfect, slightly underbaked bite.