Today we’d like to introduce you to Maximillian Wood.
Hi Maximillian, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story through film started in two different ways. In 2011, I picked up a Flip Video camera and began to create gaming videos, silly but awful dancing skits, and “mini-movies” which were often parodies of movies that I grew up watching. During my 8th grade year, I watched Reservoir Dogs for the first time and not only fell in love with the film but all of Tarantino’s filmography. Reservoir Dogs was the movie to not only open my eyes to respect filmmaking but also ignited the spark to make me want to make a movie.
After years of making videos under the channel, CRAZYBOYSDANCE12, (later renamed CBD12) my passion for video and content creation slowly dwindled. While attending my freshman year of college, my love for movies quickly sparked again thanks to the help of my closest friends. Visiting our local theater several times a week, my desire to grace the silver screen returned. Our countless visits were the start of my film school.
During the pandemic, I was working a warehouse job where I was severely unhappy. I spent most of my days thinking about what movies I could be watching instead of wasting time in this environment. Or better yet, what movies I could be making. With the help of two of my closest friends, Danilo Wyatt and Dakari Holder, I realized there was still a chance to get back into the game. With their support, I created Galaxy Of Film. Starting as a weekly film discussion podcast, where the three of us could voice our opinions on films across all genres and timeframes. We quickly grew to a platform for other like-minded film lovers to come and express themselves and their love for movies. About a year or so deep into the podcast, we returned to the realm of video making, the perfect way to regain our footing behind the camera. After another year, we finally broke the barrier that the younger, less confident versions of ourselves placed ahead of us. We became filmmakers.
My first two projects, “Like A Surgeon.” and “Ken Dawg” officially began production. Like A Surgeon., being a parody of Reservoir Dogs, also took inspiration from Kevin Smith’s Clerks. Ken Dawg was a documentary I began filming, which was ultimately scrapped and repurposed into a mock trailer for what the documentary could’ve been. Like A Surgeon. was truly my first venture into directing and understanding what it takes to make a film, even if it was just a short film. Going into 2023 strong, I continued to assemble my film team and expand Galaxy Of Film into a production company, while still maintaining and expanding the weekly podcast. I directed the short films, Distinguished and No Vex shortly after. Both films pushed my boundaries and gave me the tools to make better films in the future.
Finishing off the year strong, I was able to assemble my dream team of incredibly talented people that I’ve met along the way and film my latest project, “Goonies in Agony”. With this being my biggest project yet, we held a red carpet premiere at the Cameo Art House Theatre in Fayetteville, as well as another screening recently, with more planned.
Galaxy Of Film has grown to be a production company based in three states, North Carolina, Connecticut & Michigan. We’ve maintained the weekly podcast schedule for over 170 episodes, with special guest appearances from the likes of Brendan Wayne, Uwe Boll, and Bill Morrison. We’ve grown to have an additional four podcast series as well, and have expanded to have a total of seven full-time creative members, each helping pioneer filmmaking in their respective ways.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been hard throughout the journey, it’s been a journey. That’s a quote I heard earlier this year that resonated with me deeply. The road to making a film will never be smooth. Things will go wrong. Actors will back out of projects, equipment will randomly stop working, you’ll lose access to sets, people won’t take you seriously, and the list goes on. As a director, it’s your responsibility to take that precious vision and bring it to life as best you can no matter how many things go wrong on set. If you truly love cinema, you can’t help but make a good movie. Another quote that will always stick with me. You have to treat that film as if it’s your precious firstborn child.
Each project is a lesson. Learn from your mistakes and you’ll never stop improving.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Through Galaxy Of Film, I am a filmmaker and podcast host. I specialize in directing, writing, and producing films but I love to dabble in all departments. As a lifelong Star Wars fan, the podcast episode I’m most proud of is our episode discussing The Empire Strikes Back, featuring one of the stars of The Mandalorian, Brendan Wayne. My short film, Goonies in Agony is the film I’m most proud of. With deep connections to my cast and crew, such as Mason Conrad, Naima Said, and Nijal Morgan, this film is not only deeply personal due to its themes, but it also feels as if it was made by my family. I think that my love for not only making movies but for those who also love making movies is what sets me apart from other directors.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
For the most part, I am a self-taught filmmaker. I credit my programming and broadcasting teacher, Cameron Spence, for giving me the basic understanding of professionalism on set as well as verbiage, and my first boss, Marc Morin, for teaching me how to lead. Networking is not only essential to get your art out to the world but to also help find artists to help you create. Reach out to other artists, listen to their music, watch their films, and read their stories. Accept art just as you want yours to be accepted. You’ll meet the right people along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.galaxyoffilm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxthesuitguy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GalaxyOfFilm/
- Twitter: https://x.com/GalaxyOfFilm
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB1LfK0QKYj2U3IF22vkp8A
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCFFSPy4I5A
Image Credits
Gabrielle Devereaux Naima Said Kaleb Wilkes
