Max Blustin

Max Blustin is a film director who graduated from Kent in 2004 with a BA in English & American Literature with Film Studies and in 2005 completed his MA in Film Studies. Following graduation he founded New Planet Film & Media, a production company that specialises in corporate projects and fictional short films. His latest productions include, For Your Suffering (2020), Sorceress (2018), and A Magician (2016). 

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

For around two years after graduation I worked freelance as an editor while gaining experience on larger feature films shooting in the UK. This helped me decide to follow a more corporate route to filmmaking and I started my own company which exists to this day. I work as a writer, director and producer of short fiction, factual, corporate and commercial films.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I am either developing projects, preparing to produce them, in production, in post production, or meeting people.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

There are too many to choose from!

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

Studying film theory helped me hugely as both a writer and a director, whilst I learned the practical side through actually doing it.

In my time at Kent I learned the important stuff, meaning, symbolism, metaphor, and how cinema expresses them. Most importantly, my brilliant teachers at Kent introduced me to ways of thinking which remain at the top of my toolbox today.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

I think no two paths are the same, especially in the creative industries, so advice for one person will probably be inapplicable to another.

If you're struggling to find your path, create a metric to help you find it. If you're struggling to create a metric, look around you at which ideas most ignite your urge to create, at the things your curious mind is most drawn to, and start there. 

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

I have a great many happy memories. I enjoyed every single day of the four years I was at Kent!

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I don't think so. I’d maybe try and find more confidence in my first year.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Yes, I’m still in touch with several friends form Kent.

What are your future ambitions?

To continue doing what I’m doing with longer and more ambitious projects.