My Friend, Max Hate

Ideation - Single

2025

Bensimon Byrne / Narrative XPR, Toronto, ON
e: letschat@bensimonbyrne.com
w: bensimonbyrne.com

My Friend Max Hate is a meticulously crafted film where every element was designed to enhance the story's impact. The direction brings nuance and empathy to each performance, particularly the young boy's transformation. Cinematography pulls viewers into his emotional spiral, while unsettling sound design and a haunting score amplify the film's tension. Even the puppet's design and dialogue were carefully crafted to reflect real-world tactics used by toxic influencers.

Chief Creative Officer: Joseph Bonnici
Executive Creative Director: Debbie Chan
Creative Director: David Mueller
Associate Creative Director: Ana Segurajauregui Sanchez
Art Director: Zoë Gray
Writer: Nate Houseley
Agency Producer: Michelle Pilling
Senior Strategist: Pat Martini
Program Director: Oliver Glover
Account Director: Cole Douglas
Senior Account Manager: Samantha Sartor
Account Manager: Kanishka Punjabi, Aaron Short
Executive Producer: Amanda Morrison
Director: Angie Bird
Director of Photography: Mat Barkley
Line Producer: Kailey Shanque
Offline Producer: Sam McLaren
Offline Editor: Michelle Czuker
Offline Assistant Editor: Matt Blakely
Online Producer: Andrew Tavares
Online Editor: Saba Zahir, David Whiteson
Colourist: Eric Whipp
Shoot/Edit (Social): Marco Libretti
Audio Producer: Julia Vasiliev
Audio Director: Jared Kuemper
Engineer: Jared Kuemper, Marcel Hidalgo, Tyler Young
Client: White Ribbon