Max Von der Horst

Film. Animation. Painting. Drawing. Photography. Theatre. Poetry. Writing.
​& More.

I’m a Writer/Director/Editor, and Storyboard Artist, who studied Film Production at the University of Southern California with a Minor in Screenwriting. I’ve studied extensively in the Fine Arts and the Humanities, which has influenced my methods in filmmaking, as my stories are generally told through the language of image, color, symbolism and atmosphere, rather than a focus on traditional narrative. I want to push the boundaries of the language of film and intend to explore new ways to tell stories that are authentic to the language of the human psyche and its relationship with the complexity of the outer world. The expressionistic and surreal style of my films reflect my perception of the world as someone with synesthesia, as the emotional and visual associations are used to create meaning. I want each viewer to be able to have different perspectives and interpretations of my work and see aspects of their own experiences reflected back onto them.

I use film and Animation as a means to present my perspectives and experiences to the world, often revolving around the humans relationship with their Inner and Outer World, revolving around themes of Connection, Memory, Nostalgia, Nature, and Time. My work draws greatly on Jungian Psychology, Eastern Philosophy and a psycho-spiritual understanding of life. I want to demonstrate the mind’s relationship with the outer world, and the need for connection both within oneself, with others, and the natural world. My greatest inspirations come from Andrei Tarkovsky, Ingmar Bergman, Stanley Kubrick, David Lynch, Terry Gilliam, and Jodorowsky.

My most recent film titled House of Memory follows a young man returning home to his family who watches his parents age and disappear before him. One of my first films, Individuation, follows a young woman trapped within her psyche as she encounters various archetypal figures on the path of integrating her unconscious.

I've recently collaborated with Artificial Animation working on casting, performance directing and animation on their film Heaven which utilized Artificial Intelligence for visual effects. I've also recently completed editing the USC capstone thesis project Standards, as well as other music video and short film projects.

I am the founder of the Rubedo School, a multimedia underground arts foundation focused on artistic experimentation and collaboration for works relating to Consciousness expansion and Human connection, as well as renewing our relationship with planet Earth through artistic expression.

I currently have two major projects in development inspired by my travels around America - a surrealist road trip feature film entitled The American Afterlife, and an animated cartoon TV show entitled Road Trip.
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