From Theater Kid to Filmmaker: Max Talisman on Writing, Directing & Starring in Things Like This

In this episode of From Vision to Creation, Alexander sits down with Max Talisman—actor, writer, director, producer, and founder of Malibu Bro Productions—for a candid conversation about crafting your own opportunities and telling queer love stories beyond the “coming out” plot. From booking Orange Is the New Black and Super Dark Times soon after moving to New York, to writing his first draft of Things Like This in a few days and refining it over years, Max unpacks how theater shaped his on-set leadership, why film acting isn’t “smaller”—it’s more intimate—and how trusting your instincts (and your team) gets an indie feature across the finish line.

If you’re curious about building a durable creative career, raising indie film financing, leading a set while also on camera, and using music to architect story and emotion, this one’s packed with hard-won wisdom.

In this interview, you’ll learn:
Why rejection is data—not a verdict—and how to keep going anyway
Theater vs. film: scale, truth, intimacy, and the myth of “smaller” acting
Writing fast, revising smart: turning a lightning-draft into a finished film
Casting vs. financing: what actually comes first (and how to juggle both)
Directing while starring: hiring right, trusting associates, using playback
The soundtrack method: building worlds with playlists and score
Distribution realities: sales agents, theatrical runs, and finding your film’s “family”
Career advice: create your own roles, take notes, choose collaborators you trust

🎙️ Hosted by Alexander Schmieding

In this interview, we discuss:
1:00 Discovering a Passion for Storytelling
3:42 Early Career and Moving to New York
6:39 Shifting from Theater to Film
11:28 Creating Roles and Writing Scripts
14:14 The Journey of Writing Things Like This
16:13 Breaking Away from Conventional LGBTQ Narratives
21:15 The Evolution of the Script
22:57 The Challenge of Independent Filmmaking
28:03 Navigating the Film Industry
35:26 Lessons from Big Productions
37:19 The Role of Music in Creativity
41:06 Personal Growth Through Filmmaking
43:32 Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
47:08 Life Lessons

Episode Resources:
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  / fromvisiontocreation  

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