Max Hechtman

Pathways to Climate Success (2017)
Documentary by Dylan Dell'Erba and Max Hechtman (Documentary and Short) Director/Producer/Director of Photography/Editor A documentary film for our FIT Documentary Film Production class, that examines the cause of climate change, its effect on the NY/Metropolitan Area and potential solutions to reduce and/or reverse global warming. The concept for this film was inspired by Miranda Massie, Director of the Climate Museum, who believes that the need to balance urgency with positive solutions is the key to conquering the effects of global warming – a philosophy she describes as “Pathways to Climate Success.” The film presents examples of the results of climate change, including the increase in severe storms, such as Superstorm Sandy, and the impact on habitat and pollinators, such as the decline of honeybees that are responsible for maintaining our food supply. It highlights solutions currently being implemented and/or are in development. These include lifestyle changes such as reducing our use of transportation that relies on fossil fuels; encouraging the use of renewable sources of energy, such as electric cars; the development of a new biofuel using Lemna or Duckweed by scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories on Long Island, and the planting of flowers and trees and installation of urban beehives to preserve the bee population and ensure these pollinators can carry out their role in agriculture, to maintain the quality and quantity of produce.

I Am Here (2016)
Film (short) by Christonikos Tsalikis (Drama, Mystery, Romance and Short) Camera Operator/Story Concept/Editor/Producer A young man, looking to start his life over moves into a new neighborhood. In his new home, he discovers a picture of a beautiful girl with a phone number along side of it. As time passes by, his curiosity and affection of the girl grows and compels him to text the number. He eventually gets pulled into an unconventional relationship with the girl over text messages.

FIT Hives: Sustainability - The Secret to Survival (2016)
Documentary by FIT Hives (Documentary and Short) Video Production Manager/Director of Photography/1st Camera Operator/Editor A documentary that introduces FIT Hives, a student-run organization at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Their mission is to use education about bees and the environment to spread awareness about why we need bees and do more in regards to sustainability, both in our world and within the FIT community.

Eat Your Vegetables (2016)
Film (short) by Carmen Torres (Comedy and Short) Camera Operator/Lighting/Editor Two people discuss vegetarianism as they wait for their friend, who is a vegetarian himself. A class project where we were to take a scene from a dialogue or play we have not seen and create a one-scene short film centered on the dialogue. Based on an educational screenplay by M. Robert Turnage.

Messenger (2016)
Film (short) by Max Hechtman (Thriller and Short) Director/Camera Operator/Editor When a high school student accidentally leaves behind his college acceptance letter, his friend decides to return it to him. A class project where we were to take a fairy tale, children's story or Greek myth and retell it in a way that is relatable to modern-day real life. Based on the Greek myth of Hermes, the Messenger God.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast (2015)
Video by East Meadow High School Theatre Guild (Family, Fantasy, Romance and Musical) Videographer/Editor/VFX East Meadow High School Theatre Guild's 2015 Spring Musical production of the beloved Broadway show, based on Disney's classic animated film. Footage from all four shows and pick-up shots from dress rehearsals were used to create a multi-cam, cinematic look. Visual and audio effects were used to enhance the video, which took 500+ hours to make.

Forgiveness (2015)
Film (short) by Max Hechtman and Mike Madden (Drama and Short) Writer/Co-Director/Camera Operator/Editor Two sisters argue and one runs away from home. When she crashes her car into a tree, she ends up recovering with a cast on her leg. She and her sister then reconcile through the process of forgiveness. Student project to create a film about a family problem, in which there is a clear conflict/character change.

Remembering Isabelle (2015)
Film (short) by Max Hechtman (Comedy, Drama, Romance and Short) Director/Camera Operator/Editor An off-screen narrator reminisces about his fun-loving, ex-girlfriend, Isabelle, and the elevator game that she created. By describing the way the game is played, he highlights all the things he misses about her and in the end, expresses his regret about losing her. Based on an educational screenplay "Remembering Jaime" by M. Robert Turnage.

Bard in a Box: The Taming of the Shrew (2014)
Video by East Meadow High School Theatre Guild (Comedy) Videographer/Editor East Meadow High School's 2014 Fall Comedy that takes one of Shakespeare's classic comedies and presents in a way you've never seen it before.

Cooking with Kefi (2014)
Television by Reel Life Cinematography/Titan Television/MEGA (Talk-Show and Reality-TV) Assistant Editor

Once Upon a Mattress (2014)
Video by East Meadow High School Theatre Guild (Comedy, Family, Fantasy and Musical) Videographer/Editor East Meadow High School Theatre Guild's 2014 production of the classic musical comedy, based on the fairytale "The Princess and the Pea." Was applied a multi cam treatment, using footage from all 4 shows and pick-up shots from the dress rehearsal, to give dimension to the amazing performances by the entire cast.

Ten Little Chipmunks (2013)
Video by East Meadow High School Theatre Guild (Comedy, Crime and Mystery) Videographer/Editor East Meadow High School's 2013 Fall production of Craig Sodaro's Comedy-Mystery.

Guys and Dolls (2013)
Video by East Meadow High School Theatre Guild (Comedy and Musical) Videographer/Editor East Meadow High School Theatre Guild's 2013 production of the classic musical.