We had the good fortune of connecting with Max Gold and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Max, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think about risk by starting with the fact that I am going to be dead in 60-80 years. In the ground, not loving or feeling or tasting or doing. I have this limited amount of time until then, so what do I want to do with it? Who do I want to spend it with? What do I want to build? From that vantage point, there is no risk. There is only a question of ruthlessly going after the few things that are deeply meaningful to me and having the courage to let go of the things that aren’t. The latter has been a challenge; it’s hard to face the social repercussions of letting go of things that other people find valuable (or think they do.) There is also the ever-present potential for failure, or not meeting my own expectations. But my experience has been that I learn most from failures. So I’m working on being less afraid of that.  

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m very excited about my second feature film, Fanga, which is in the final days of post-production. Fanga is a darker, Icelandic take on Beauty and the Beast and is the result of years of hard work and meticulous effort from my cast and crew. The stark limitations imposed by Covid-19 have made it so that the team been laser-focused on post-production for over twelve months. Though we haven’t been able to enjoy the energy of being in the room together, we’ve made up for it by extending our delivery schedule. As such, post has been a process of taking our time to experiment with ideas, try off the wall concepts and then test them on the producers. We’ve made some really out there stuff and we’ve also had some gorgeous breakthroughs. This is going to be a very special film and I’m so excited to share it with the world in 2021. All of this is to say, the collaborators I have — from producers to editor to actors — have all supported bringing this film into the world during one of the most challenging times. I am so grateful.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh man that’s an easy one. First and foremost we’re surfing at Venice Breakwater in the morning. Probably be starving after, so breakfast burrito and coffee at Flake for late breakfast. Then more surfing all day. After the sun goes down, beers and sausage at Wurstkuche (Venice) for dinner. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Yes! Randy Arthur (https://www.randyarthurphoto.com/), a Manhattan-based photographer, and his partner Linda Yellin (https://www.lindayellin.com/), a Manhattan-based novelist. First and foremost they both are my dear friends. They are also Producers of my latest feature film called, “Fanga.” I have observed they both maintain an enduring and profound optimism. This inspires me. I am grateful for the friendship and support they’ve shown me throughout my career. I look up to them as people and as artists. I wish this shoutout could come with a hug.

Feature film Silicon Beach on Amazon Prime: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZG96T45/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Silicon+Beach&qid=1571869435&s=instant-video&sr=1-1#ace-9766277718

Website: www.blindhummingbird.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/max__gold/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-gold-3860555/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blindhummingbrd

Image Credits
Photography Credits: Powell Robinson, Getty Images

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