Trent Ellis

"A Masterclass With Max Howard" will be an intensive one-day exclusive opportunity to learn from one of Hollywood’s most renowned film producers in person.

Drawing upon his many years of experience, Max Howard offers in his masterclasses a unique insight on the art of storytelling and pitching, design and production for the feature animation industry. 

Max Howard is behind some of animations most endearing movies, from “ Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in 1986 to “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast”, “Aladdin”, “The Lion King”, “Pocahontas”, “Quest for Camelot”, “Space Jam”, “The Iron Giant” and “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” to the release of “Igor” in 2008.

He has served as an executive and producer at Walt Disney Feature Animation, Warner Bros. Feature Animation, DreamWorks Animation and is currently President and Producer at Exodus Film Group – one of the pioneering companies in ‘independent’ feature animation production.

Max Howard is a sought after consultant and lecturer for the animation industry, conducting his masterclasses and workshops throughout the world for six years. From our first initial contact with his consulting group in 2012, our aim at Animation Alliance Australia Inc | ASIFA Australia is to finally realize a masterclass with Max in person in Brisbane for the first time in Australia.  

Ultimately our aim in holding this masterclass with Max Howard is to assist people to realize their ‘creative dreams’.  

It is to bring together a network of people – from fans of the feature animation genre and the curious to students and professionals from the local film industry - to benefit from Max Howard’s knowledge gained through years of experience so to attain that ‘creative edge’ in their own work.

Along the way Max Howard will share anecdotes and stories from managing and working closely with such masters as Richard Williams (“Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”) and Brad Bird (“The Iron Giant”).

Here are some of the topics Max Howard will select from to talk about in his masterclass:

Creating an Effective Story and How to Pitch It
Interactive workshops that provide detailed information on how to succinctly create and effectively pitch a story for any type of film and TV production, live action or animation.
The workshops are tailor-made for the student’s needs and can also include working 'live' on a specific story, providing a practical application for the applied techniques that will have been outlined earlier in the presentation.



Producing Independent Animated Films
Max Howard discusses the opportunities and challenges of producing ‘independent’ animated feature films. Every facet of the feature animation industry is tackled, from story development and physical production to marketing and distribution. Starting with an overview of the marketplace right through to the opportunity to enter a film for Academy Award consideration for Best Animated Feature Film. Max’s experience in working on over 12 feature films, plus 7 short films, provides an unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities of bringing an animated film to fruition.


Acting for Animation
A program studying great acting, utilizing performance examples from both animation and live action. At the heart of any animated film is the requirement that the animators understand and utilize the tools an actor will bring to a role. It is not the technical aspects of animation that create a great performance but a fundamental understanding of the characters motivation. Unlock these skills and an animated character will be richer and more believable. Max’s career began as a child actor in the British theatre, subsequently working as a director and producer. He has worked with some of the world’s greatest actors, directors and writers. It is this backdrop that allows him to offer this unique program on Acting for Animation.



Character Design
Designing a lovable and memorable character takes more than just artistic ability. What makes a character special? That is the question this workshop will pose and then answer. What is the process from the writer’s words on the page, to the design required to bring a character to life that will engage the audience and inspire the animators to create great animation and the actors to provide superb voice acting. How do all the pieces come together to create that special character audiences will love for generations to come.
This program is designed to broaden the appeal and originality of character design, to establish a unique set of criteria that, used correctly, will enhance a designer’s outlook and originality. You will be taken through the entire development process, giving you the tools necessary to bring your new characters to life and charm your audiences.

Directing Actors – 1 hour
After working with actors for over five decades, Max guides you through his secrets to dealing with talent - from the correct etiquette at the recording studio to putting them at ease --- and above all, how to capture the best possible performance.


The Road to Oscar – 1 hour
A ‘how to’ guide for submitting your short animated film or feature film for Oscar consideration. In 2001, The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences elected to add a second animation category – Best Animated Feature Film. The pathway to a film being considered is revealed during this unique program.


Presenting your film at Cannes – ‘Oh yes, you can can Cannes’ – 1 hour
The insider’s guide to not only the Cannes Film Festival market but the other international markets as well. How they work, how to pre-sell your film, what to ask for, the questions to expect, and how to avoid the blisters from walking between all the meetings!

About Animation Alliance Australia Inc. | ASIFA Australia

About the Rewards

Our targeted goal will be used towards the overseas airfares and promotional materials. This is the final hurdle to get over to make this unique opportunity a reality.

Our biggest immediate challenge is raising the rest of the funds to bring Max Howard here, to Australia, and to present his masterclass here for the very first time! So far we have 55% of the masterclass funded by the Screen Culture grant received from Screen Queensland and the generous support from our major sponsor, Griffith Film School. 

To hold a masterclass here in Australia with Max Howard has been a long term ambition for us at Animation Alliance Australia Inc. | ASIFA Australia since late 2012. We’re a small but dedicated non-profit group who have already donated large chunks of time and effort to make this happen for the benefit of the creative community at large. Now we are at a stage where we can finally see it happen with your help.

Remember Max has experience in working on over 12 feature films, many of them classics, plus 7 short films, thus providing an unparalleled insight into the challenges and opportunities of bringing an animated film to fruition. We have read the glowing testimonials from groups and institutions from all over the world in the past six years that he has conducted these masterclasses and workshops. Isn’t it now time for Australia to experience what the rest of the world is raving about? I guarantee that the people who attend this masterclass with Max Howard in Brisbane will be still talking about it with the same exhilaration in years to come!