NYFA Alum Max Peltz Talks Producing the Film "How to Rob a Bank" Available now on Netflix

NYFA Alum Max Peltz is a producer, writer, and co-founder of Lone Wolf Studios. Since finishing his 1-Year Producing program at NYFA in 2013, Max has had a growing career as a producer and writer, working with distributors like ABC, Hulu, Showtime, and now Netflix.

In 2020, Peltz produced Bad Hombres (Showtime) and In The Cold Dark Night (ABC/Hulu), for which he earned an Emmy nomination. 

His latest project How to Rob a Bank is a true-crime documentary about the infamous Seattle bank robber nicknamed "Hollywood" who was operating during the 1990s. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.

Max spoke to us about the making of the film and his career. 

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career. What are some projects you’re most proud of?

M.P: I was fortunate enough to start my career working with NYFA teacher Lanre Olabisi on his feature film, Somewhere in the Middle, before having internships at A24 and Jean Doumanian Productions. I then settled back in the UK, where I worked on several BBC documentaries.

Breaking out on my own, I produced In the Cold Dark Night, which earned me an Emmy nomination and is available on multiple platforms in the US including Hulu and BET+. Following this, I produced Bad Hombres for Showtime and hacker:HUNTER, available on YouTube.

This year has been particularly exciting, as I produced the Netflix Original How to Rob a Bank. Additionally, I was a Co-Executive Producer on the three-part series Fugitive: The Mystery of the Crypto Queen and an Executive Producer on the feature documentary, Balomania, which premiered at CPH:DOX.

While I am proud of all my projects, How to Rob a Bank stands out as a particularly rewarding experience which challenged and pushed me far beyond what I thought I was capable of as a producer. For it to have spent its first two weeks in the Global Top 10 made all the hard work worth it.

NYFA Alumni Network: Tell us more about How To Rob a Bank and how you got involved in the project?

M.P: The project originated from director Seth Porges, who pitched us the story, and I immediately knew it was something special. It was totally instinctive. We quickly partnered up and took the project to market. Although we received multiple offers, Netflix was the partner we wanted to work with. Their previous work in the true-crime space as well as the size of their audience, aligned perfectly with our vision.

We spent nearly four years making this project, traveling up the East Coast of America, to Seattle, Vancouver, and back to London. We were fortunate to film heightened scripted portions with a world-class Canadian team to complement the documentary footage, and we also worked with incredible animators in the UK. In total, close to 400 people contributed to this film.

The project itself is a heist film about Scott Scurlock and several of his friends who, in 1990s Seattle, took advantage of the newfound wealth in the city to rob multiple banks over four years. As the police catch on, it quickly becomes a cat-and-mouse game, culminating on Thanksgiving Eve 1996. The film is an homage to '90s action films like Point Break and Heat. There are many movie tropes within this story, which makes it so interesting. Our goal was to create a “Michael Mann” film, and I feel we accomplished that. It’s a fun and wild ride, but also emotional and poignant by the end.

Another compelling aspect was the transformation Seattle underwent in the 1990s, right as this story is happening. Before the tech boom, Seattle was an industrial city that relied on logging and fishing, and transformed into a city on the forefront of the digital economy with a vibrant culture and a growing grunge movement. However, it was also notorious as the meth capital of America. This transformation was a critical backdrop that our entire filmmaking team felt was essential to convey.

NYFA Alumni Network: Were there any challenges you faced when making the film?

M.P: Let me just start by saying that every single film has its challenges. This one began filming during the pandemic, which was particularly interesting, especially with some of our crew traveling from the UK. We also managed large teams across North America and, in some cases, India.

One specific challenge was balancing the live-action scenes with the animations. These two processes were done in tandem, and we had a comprehensive script that Maxim (another producer on the film) and I had written in collaboration with the directors. During pre-production for the live-action shoot, we were constantly coordinating with the animation team on wardrobe, locations, vehicles, make-up, and more, ensuring everything felt cohesive and, most importantly, it all matched! During this time, we were also preparing to shoot the live action scenes as well as managing the edit, accounting, etc! It was a unique and unforgettable experience.

NYFA Alumni Network: You've had a steady and successful career in the entertainment industry. What are the things that you attribute to your success? 

M.P: I’ve always believed it comes down to taking the opportunities put in front of you, hard work and determination. There are moments when you want to take a break, but you just have to persevere. The film and television industry is relentless; you need thick skin, and not having an ego certainly helps! In the documentary space, especially, you're holding a lot of torches during production and can't be afraid to get your hands dirty.

I've done it all—from unloading equipment and taking lunch orders to driving the equipment van and personally flying hard drives back home. These are tasks that, as a producer, you might expect someone else to handle, but in this industry, everyone is busy, and you have to chip in wherever needed. People will remember you for it and having a positive reputation is very important.

NYFA Alumni Network: What made you interested in making documentaries? 

M.P: When I moved back to the UK, I was doing an internship at a production company that had a documentary in pre-production with the BBC but no one to help produce it. So, I just volunteered! I love being thrown into the "deep end" and rising to a challenge. That documentary, which was released in 2016, marked the beginning of what we now call the "premium doc boom."

The documentary space is fascinating. Besides being a really interesting format, it allows me to meet people I wouldn’t normally encounter, from sheriffs in Georgia to baseball players in Mexico, to bank robbers in Seattle. You also get to collaborate with a lot of amazing and talented people, on both the production and network side. I get to travel, experience new places, and immerse myself in different cultures. It’s a dream job, and I feel very lucky to be part of it!

NYFA Alumni Network: What’s keeping you busy these days? Are you working on any future projects?

M.P: We’re currently pitching a few projects, which we hope to announce in the near future. We have several more projects in development, and we’re meeting with like-minded production companies to learn new things about this space and explore potential collaborations. Additionally, we're considering dipping our toes into the scripted world, which is very exciting. Right now, the future feels bright!

NYFA Alumni Network: Do you have any tips for first time producers?

M.P: Yes, don’t let the challenges in front of you distract you from your goals. Have the mindset of wanting to achieve and bettering yourself. If you’re fortunate enough to be making a film, don’t take it for granted. Be serious and professional, and inspire those around you.

This industry is tough to break into and maintain a standing in, but don't let that dishearten you or cause you to give up. Financial considerations are important, and everyone’s situation is different, but if you’re passionate about film and want a long career, there are no shortcuts. Keep your head down, do the easy tasks brilliantly, and tackle the hard tasks efficiently—people will notice.

When you're not working, immerse yourself in the industry. Watch movies, read industry news (you can subscribe to newsletters from Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter for free!), and reach out to production companies for meetings, job openings, etc. Don't be afraid to follow up if you don't get a response—I love being chased because it shows people are enthusiastic to meet me.

Stay persistent, keep learning, and seize every opportunity to demonstrate your commitment and passion. This dedication will set you apart and help you build a successful career.

NYFA Alumni Network congratulates Max on all his success!

Watch "How to Rob a Bank" on Netflix