Scott Roguska Produces Films, Gives ‘Jester’ Awards
By Karen Gould

Award winners (front row, from left) are Jane Finkel, Robert Chaffee, Lou Clark, Scott Roguska, Jesse Straight, Jeff Roguska, and Caleb Straight; (back) Devin Hunt, Tymon Horn, Thomas Rilenge, Collin Armstrong, and Austin Jaruzel. (Photograph courtesy of Chris Roguska)

There was no red carpet in place to greet arriving guests. No paparazzi stood on the sidelines snapping photos. Not one screaming fan could be heard begging for autographs. There was no line of long black limousines to deliver stars.

The excitement and the fun of The First Annual Court Jester Studio Awards ceremony offered a no-frills, no-competition satirical approach to film awards and was the idea of 16-year-old Mackinac Island junior Scott Roguska. Approximately, 50 people attended the event at Mr. Roguska’s home in the Stonebrook subdivision Saturday evening, September 24, to see who would win an award for having acted in or helped with one of Mr. Roguska’s short films.

“It was really cool,” said the up and coming film producer, who named his studio after his friend, Jesse Straight, whose nickname is Jester.

The evening began with a film Mr. Roguska put together to give parents and friends some idea of what the group of students had been doing over the last year. Neighbor Jack Armstrong dressed in the appropriate award ceremony tuxedo for his role as master of ceremonies. Following the introductory film, the audience viewed three of Mr. Roguska’s favorite movies, all ranging between 10 to 20 minutes in length.

“I write, shoot, edit, and finalize each film,” he said.

Scott Roguska was making his own movies at age 10. At 15, he had his own camera and software that allowed him to get into the editing aspects of film making. He recruits his younger brother and his friends to act in the productions, which is not too hard to do he said, adding, “They have a blast.”

One of the films shown Saturday night was “The Beast IV.” A fan favorite and his as well, the film is about a band of heroes and offers some great chase scenes in the Island woods.

“This film has gone over the best with audiences,” he said. “I must have done something right there.”

The most expensive movie he’s made cost him around $200 for props. His projects are about whatever he is interested in at the time and when Star Wars came out, “We made our own version,” he said, and that was the film that incurred the prop expense.

He also is interested in World War II and has made a couple of movies about the subject.

In addition to parodies or remakes, he has produced a few original movies.

During the summer, Mr. Roguska works at Lakeside Bike Rental at the Arnold Dock. In the winter, he prepares for and makes movies. This winter he plans to get ready for his biggest undertakings by scheduling and preparing to film the beach scene from “Saving Private Ryan,” which he will shoot in the spring. He also will be writing more stories for his series, “The Beast,” and he anticipates versions five and six by next year.

Mr. Roguska is beginning to look at colleges and thinks film school is the direction he will take. Until college, he will continue to work on films and he even sells them to anyone who is interested.

He said he enjoyed getting positive comments about his films from the adults who attended the awards ceremony.

“Adults have a better knowledge of what it takes to do good,” he said, “so those comments meant a lot.”

Julie Rilenge, whose son helped him in the films, gave him a director’s board (he calls it a snap board) and he is looking forward to using it when he begins filming in the spring.

He even has been asked to teach some of the younger students about making movies. He said he feels good just knowing he may have sparked their interest in movies and film making.

The First Annual Court Jester Studio Awards

Caleb Straight and Devin Hunt were runners-up. Andrew Chambers, best use of a pink backpack. Thomas Rilenge, greatest masked character. Lou Clark, most extreme in a non-extreme movie. Robert “Cobert” Chaffee, best actor with one name. Tymon Horn, best leading role. Jacob Chambers, best actor of age eight years old. Austin Jaruzel, best dressed for the elements. Jeff Roguska, most awesome weaponry. Jane Finkle, best actress. Collin Armstrong, best actor who lives 20-feet away. Jesse Straight, Court Jester best actor.