Meet Max Rosenbaum | Writer/ Director

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

Hi Max, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Well, the “logical” side of my brain always knew pursing an artistic career was going to be a challenge— to put it lightly. I fought against my natural desires and abilities for most of my life in the name of stability. For all of my childhood, until I went to college, I thought I wanted to be a doctor. Even though I spent every waking minute of my free time staging photo and video shoots with friends, writing, and editing— I told myself that going into medicine or (yikes) orthodontics would be a responsible career choice that would allow me to help people, while still securing financial stability. However, by the middle of my first semester of college, I was having daily existential crises, grappling with the idea of living a life not focused around the pursuit of creativity. Cut to almost 9 years later, I’m still wracked with insecurity about my financial future; however, I feel fulfilled and still thrilled by the idea that I get to work in the world that I’ve admired from afar my entire life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve discovered I tend to be drawn to making films that fluctuate between some “objective” reality and visualizations of a character’s psyche. No matter what genre (or combination of them) I’m working in, I’ve become associated by those who know my work with dabbling with dream-states and the surreal. It all comes back to trying to use the medium of film to allow an audience into a character’s inner world.

I’ve been working towards being a filmmaker my entire life, really. From making home videos of my family as a child, to producing elaborate YouTube music videos with friends in middle/high school, to majoring and working in video-oriented journalism in college, and finally graduating from an incredible MFA program in film production last year… and yet, I’m still so early on in my journey. I’m proud of the shorts I’ve written and directed, but I’m hungry to make my first feature. It still feels like I’m at the base of Everest looking up, but every day, I get closer and closer to the first peak. .

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Personally, I love to take my friends around my neighborhood of Burbank. I know it’s not touristy LA, but its vibrant horror community is what drew my husband and I to the area. First, I would take them to The Palm for an iced coffee/ tea, then down Magnolia to The Mystic Museum, the dozens of vintage/ thrift shops I frequent regularly, and thee THREE DIFFERENT horror oriented/ costume stores. Afterwards, I’d take them for a bite at Porto’s Bakery and to Dark Delicacies horror bookstore. Then, a trip to Downtown Burbank to hit up the world’s best AMC (shoutout to Burbank 16). Finally, we’d head over to Toluca Lake for a drink at my favorite local bar, Forman’s Whisky Tavern.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
So many people it’s hard to think about. First, my family. They always push me to follow my creative bliss, even when I didn’t have the confidence in myself to see that I could do it: my parents, grandparents, and brother in particular. Then, there’s my teachers over the years, specifically my high school English teachers. They were the first people outside of my family to encourage my writing and critical thinking in general. They taught me my love of reading, and for that, I’m forever grateful. Next, my boss and mentor, Jamie Rosengard. She gave me an opportunity in a place with very little opportunities. Moreover, she has introduced me to the true ins-and-outs of the television industry and is helping me become a better writer. Finally, there’s my friends and fiancé— they are the people who keep me going on a daily basis. They’re my first script readers, my cheerleaders, and my way to blow off steam. Without all of these people, I wouldn’t be able to pursue filmmaking at all.

Website: MaxLauren.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/maxielauren

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-lauren-rosenbaum-410b28b7

Twitter: @maxielaurenbaum

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@maxlauren