LOS ANGELES - s4story -- Effortless Perfection, a short film directed by Cal State LA Theatre Professor Stephen Rothman, is earning recognition on the film festival circuit. The film has received seven laurels from six film festivals. It was screened on May 11 at the Big Apple Film Festival in New York City, and was screened on Sept. 14 at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood as part of the Indiewood Film Festival.

Written by Rothman's longtime friend David Wasson, Effortless Perfection centers on an encounter between a man in his mid-70s and a woman in her 40s who meet under dangerous circumstances. Much of the film unfolds during a conversation between the two on a park bench as they form an unexpected connection that ultimately changes them both.

Rothman said the relationship at the center of the film resonated with him because of his work as an educator. He saw similarities between how the two characters affect each other, and how professors and students influence each other.

"I affect these lives, and they go on to do their thing," Rothman said. "I continue to do mine, but something happened, and I'm affected by them."

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The film was produced for approximately $20,000. Rothman said part of his motivation for making the film was to demonstrate to students in Cal State LA's Master of Fine Arts in Television, Film, and Theatre program that producing quality work does not necessarily require a large budget.

Rothman said the film was also an opportunity to put into practice what he teaches in the classroom and to demonstrate what filmmakers can accomplish with limited resources.

The film was shot in New York City under Screen Actors Guild and Directors Guild of America contracts. Filming in Queens presented challenges, including school bells, children, and airplanes from nearby LaGuardia Airport. Changing weather and lighting conditions also affected the lengthy park sequence.

Rothman credited the film's cast and crew with overcoming those challenges. He said the experience reinforced the importance of assembling talented collaborators when working with limited resources.

Read more: https://news.calstatela.edu/2026/09/09/cal-state-la-professor-stephen-rothmans-effortless-perfection-earns-film-festival-recognition/