Meet the Director: Max Ward
Today, we thought we’d do something different and sit down for a chat with one of our creatives. Max Ward is an American-born, London-based writer/director who’s worked for brands such as Playstation and Nintendo.
Q: Max, tell us about your journey into filmmaking. What sparked your interest?
Max: I’d always enjoyed films as a kid, but my obsession started when I watched Troy for the first time. I was blown away by the epic battles, the gripping story, and the larger-than-life characters. It made me realize just how powerful film can be. Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, there wasn’t exactly a booming film industry, so I decided to take a leap and move to London to study Film Directing at the MET Film School. I fell in love with the city and have been here ever since. But, I have to admit, I do miss the food back home!
Q: Your work spans a variety of genres and formats. What drives your creative choices?
Max: I just love mixing humor into everything I do. Whether that’s an outright comedy commercial for Whereby or Huuuge Games, or a horror short like Return of the Beast from Outer Space, I find that a good laugh makes everything better. Humor makes storytelling more relatable and fun for everyone involved.
Q: You've also directed commercials for high-profile brands. How does this experience differ from narrative filmmaking?
Max: There's a Spielberg quote I love: "The thing I love about filmmaking is the chance to live many lifetimes." This is so true, especially in commercials. You get to dive into different businesses, meet amazing people, and learn so much about things you might never encounter otherwise. It’s a real privilege.
Q: Which commercial project are you most proud of, and why?
Max: The Star Trek ad was just out of this world! Having access to such an iconic IP was a dream come true. I also had a fantastic time working on the release trailer for Arizona Sunshine 2 for Playstation. We used Unreal Engine for that project, which was a whole new learning curve and super exciting.
Q: Can you tell us about your work in the video game industry?
Max: Over the 2020 lockdown, I directed Call of Corona: Micro Warfare, a Steam game that raised funds for the World Health Organization. It picked up a lot of momentum and was featured in Vogue and other major publications. The crossover between film and video games is fascinating, and this project really let me explore that.
Q: Among your films, which one are you the proudest of and why?
Max: Borgo the Thinker! It’s a mockumentary about a caveman who discovers math, inspired by 1960s British nature documentaries. We even got a composer who had worked on some of the first Attenborough shows, long retired, to create our soundtrack. He loved the idea of parodying his old work! That whole project was just so much fun to make!
Q: What are your favorite films now?
Max: Oh, that’s a tough one. I’d say Leon: The Professional, Terminator 2, and Everything Everywhere All at Once. Each of these films brings something special to the table and continues to inspire me.
Q: How did you transition from being an Assistant Director to writing and directing your own films?
Max: After finishing uni, I started as an Assistant Director and worked my way up to 1st AD on a couple feature films. But, I quickly realized that while it was great experience, it wasn’t scratching my creative itch. So, I started writing and directing my own stuff, and I haven’t looked back since!
Q: What's next for you in your filmmaking journey?
Max: I’m really excited to direct more commercials with the fantastic team at Qualia. Additionally, I'm developing my first feature film, a horror called They Came From Below, and pitching Borgo the Thinker as a series. There’s so much on the horizon, and I can’t wait to dive into these new projects!
Q: Any final thoughts for aspiring filmmakers?
Max: Keep exploring and keep learning. Filmmaking is all about discovery and growth. Embrace every experience, and don’t be afraid to put your unique spin on your work. Whether you’re making a short film, a commercial, or a video game, stay true to your vision and, most importantly, have a blast doing it!
