Haunted college senior Maxine struggles to regain normalcy after acquiring the company of a persistent Monster whom no one else can see.

Interview with Writer/Director Jenna Kanell

Watch Max & The Monster here:

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Thank you! While on the festival circuit with another project, I watched a number of films touching on the subject of sexual assault, many of which seemed to focus on the event itself.

As a survivor, I longed to watch a movie depicting instead the complicated, lasting effects of the trauma that follows. After returning one night from a particularly graphic film, I puked out the first draft of Max & The Monster.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

If you have some form of PTSD, hopefully, Max & The Monster gives your monster a face. If you don't, perhaps it will help express the experience for those you love. That's the goal, at least.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

In learning to cope with her trauma, Max moves through the stages of grief. She develops a relationship with her Monster: ignores him, tries to kill him, and eventually realizes that if he's not going anywhere, his presence will be on her terms.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Though I directed Max & The Monster, once the script left my hands it wasn't mine alone anymore. Everyone who came on board brought their experiences with their own trauma and their passion to get the story told.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

There are of course some folks who don't understand it without a breakdown. But then there are those who have approached me privately after screenings to confide that the film touched on their experience or that of someone in their life. It's hard to keep my heart in my chest when that happens.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

It's certainly opened my eyes to Monsters I hadn't seen, lurking in the shadows behind strangers.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We're looking to make connections, gain visibility, and collaborate going forward, with members of the film industry working towards gender equity.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

As we reach the tail end of our festival run, we have two paths for Max & The Monster: one is with the short film acting as a proof of concept for the pilot (of which we've already packaged the script, show bible, and visual deck). We'd love to speak further with showrunners, producers, and distributors in the television and streaming markets.

In addition, we seek to collaborate with more institutions and organizations on an educational run for the short film. There are already plans to partner with survivors' groups such as A Voice For The Innocent (AVFTI). Would love to get onto high school and college campuses with guided dialogue.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How do we collectively work to prevent assault? And how do we communicate about it?

Would you like to add anything else?

Thank you for having me! And thank you for all that you do.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I'm currently in the development process on an allegorical horror film I co-wrote to direct, with some people I'm beyond excited about.

I also act and do stunts in film and tv, some of which are on your local streaming service.

Interview: August 2019

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Max & The Monster

Haunted college senior Maxine struggles to regain normalcy after acquiring the company of a persistent Monster whom no one else can see.

Length: 13:22

Director: Jenna Kanell

Producer: Gabriela Pickle, Clayton Koski, Hannah Pniewski, Robert Walker Branchaud, Drew Sawyer

Writer: Jenna Kanell

About the writer, director and producer:

JENNA KANELL delivered a TEDx Talk on her short film Bumblebees, which after its worldwide, award-winning festival run led her to speak at institutions such as Harvard Medical School and the National Inclusion Institute. She wrote and directed Max & The Monster, which premiered on the opening night of the Austin Film Festival, and directed #Slut, which has gone on to win awards for Best Director and Social Justice. She's also a SAG-AFTRA actor (The Front Runner, Terrifier) and stunt performer. Jenna is arguably proudest of teaching her cat to do tricks.

Key cast: Alexis Louder (Max), David De Vries (Monster)

Looking for: sales agents, distributors, producers

Facebook: Laser Pigeon Pictures LLC

Twitter: @Squidthusiast

Instagram: @squidthusiast

Hashtags used: #MyMonster #LaserPigeonPictures

Website: www.laserpigeonpictures.com

Other: IMDb

Made in association with: Laser Pigeon Pictures & Moonshine Post-Production

Funders: Funded by Laser Pigeon Pictures & independent donors

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? M&TM just won Best Female Representation at the Women in Film & TV Atlanta (WIFTA) Short Film Showcase!; It acts as a proof of concept for a packaged series, and will be partnering with organizations such as A Voice For The Innocent (AVFTI) down the road for an educational run. More screenings TBA!.