It is no secret the curriculum for students studying cinema and digital arts at Point Park University is very demanding and time-consuming. Despite this, senior Emily Westfield wanted to pursue both of her passions for film and dance by majoring in cinema and digital arts while working on a minor in dance.With graduation quickly approaching, Westfield wasted no time in deciding what kind of film she wanted to make for her senior thesis. From studying at a fine arts high school, she was introduced to the novel “Death in the Fifth Position” by Gore Vidal. Westfield loved the book, but she never imagined she would make a film like it. When planning for her final project, she knew she wanted to incorporate her love for dance, but she wanted it to be something different. As a result, “Roses Are Red” was born.“I thought this was my opportunity to take my interests in dance and film and put them together,” Westfield said in a phone interview Friday.“Roses Are Red” is a short film that is part of the senior thesis required of cinema and digital arts students, according to Heidi Schlegel, the film’s producer. The senior thesis is the biggest film project they will make as students of the university.“We wanted to challenge ourselves, so we did a period piece,” said Schlegel.Schlegel describes it as a 1950s period piece that takes place during the Second Red Scare. During this time artists were red-listed and could not perform. The film centers on a prima ballerina named MarinaSadovsky. Marina has finally fulfilled her dreams of starring in the new nationally renowned ballet. The director of the ballet company, Albert Giles, hopes this performance will get his company back on the charts. Two days before the performance, the FBI accuses Marina of being a communist and threatens to deport her back to Russia. Marina must then decide whether to flee into hiding, or perform in possibly her last show, risking her freedom and life.“There are so many dance films about the typical girl …we wanted to do something different,” Westfield said.While it is a political story, Sarah McCabe, the cinematographer, said there is a love story between Marina and Albert. McCabe explained that because of their long-term relationship in the ballet company together, there is a special connection between the two.Westfield said they wanted the theme of the film to focus on the sacrifices people make for love. She compared it to the relatable love story, “Titanic.”After conceiving the idea for the film, they then took on a screenwriter, Ian McIntosh, to compose the script for the film. Westfield did all of the visual planning and research in order to fully understand the time period. She and Schlegel have finished casting and are scouting for locations. Westfield will also be choreographing the dances in the film. McCabe is working on color palates, the shooting location, how to shoot since there will be mirrors used, as well as all of the camera work and lighting.“This is probably going to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I’m excited,” McCabe said in a phone interview on Friday.They have been working on the film since April, so they could release a teaser scene to fundraise for the film. Schlegel explained that Point Park does not provide funding for Production IV (PIV) films, so they have to come up with the funds on their own.As of Thursday, Schlegel said they have raised $3,500, and are hoping to raise another $500 for a total of $4,000. They had a fundraiser with Pittsburgh Popcorn, as well as Casey’s Family Restaurant in Allison Park. Most recently, they had a fundraising night at Tavern 245 on Sept. 5. Both restaurants gave a percentage of their sales to the film project.Schlegel said they have finished casting “Roses Are Red” with Point Park students, as well as local actors. Now they are in the pre-production phases, finding filming locations and getting all of the equipment together. Since they filmed a teaser in April, they worked through the summer to finish the script and work on fundraising.Shooting for the film will take place the second and fourth weeks of October, as they are given only six days to film. Schlegel says they are the only PIV group that decided to complete the project in one semester.“It will be like our own private screening,” Schlegel said. The screening will most likely take place Dec. 8 in the University Center GRW Theater.Westfield said the cinema department is planning on following the production of the film and making a documentary.“We’re very excited to put it all together,” Schlegel said. “You work so hard for so long for one moment…and I’m excited to bring it to life.”For more information, visit http://www.indiegogo.com/rosesarered.