Max Talisman Directs and Stars in 'Things Like This,' a Rom-Com for Underrepresented Audiences

Directorial Debut and Personal Vision

• 🎬 Max Talisman makes his directorial debut with the new romantic comedy, 'Things Like This', which he also wrote and stars in.
• 🎯 Talisman's lifelong dream was to make an impact in film, aiming to reach more people than he could through his initial interest in Broadway shows.
• 💡 The film is a love letter to people who don't typically see themselves in rom-coms, specifically addressing the lack of representation for plus-size individuals in major studio films and TV shows.

Challenges and Opportunities in Filmmaking

• 🚀 Talisman acknowledges that writing, acting, and directing a film is one of the hardest accomplishments in the business, especially for a first-time director.
• 💰 While his unique perspective as a plus-size person helped in pitching, it was also seen as a risk by many due to its unproven nature.
• 🤝 He emphasizes the importance of taking chances on new talent and is grateful for the individuals who supported the film's creation.

Notable Cast and Production

• ⭐ The film features recognizable actors, with the casting of Eric Roberts being a crucial first step that helped build the cast.
• 🎭 Charlie Tan was cast just a day before needing to be on set, flying in from Disneyland to film with Talisman.
• 🌟 The production was fortunate to have the right people come into the film, capturing something special.

Filming Location and Industry Impact

• 🌃 New York City was chosen as the primary filming location, embodying a magical sense of romance ideal for romantic comedies.
• 💡 Talisman believes more films should be brought back to Los Angeles to utilize its amazing infrastructure and studio spaces.
• 🗣️ He advocates for bringing filmmaking back to the United States to tell more exciting stories.

Audience Reception and Personal Reflection

• 👍 Initial feedback for 'Things Like This' has been extremely positive, with many audience members expressing that the film means a lot to them and provides a special moment of seeing themselves represented on screen.
• 🎥 As a director, Talisman had to separate himself from his performance in the editing room, focusing on the film's overall vision rather than personal vanity.
• 😬 He finds it more self-conscious to watch as a director, noting what was left out, compared to watching himself as an actor.