Is Max Allen Based on a Real Person? Where is Max Allen Now?

Is Max Allen Based on a Real Person
Image Credit: Peacock

Where is Max Allen Now? What Happened to Angelyne Documentary? – ‘Angelyne,’ from Peacock, is a captivating biographical drama series that delves into the fascinating life of Los Angeles’ titular billboard queen, who rose to fame as a media phenomenon in the 1980s. Nancy Oliver’s limited series dives further deeper into her relationships with numerous individuals who have influenced her personal and professional journeys throughout the years.

Few people in Angelyne’s life are aware of her true identity and background, but one who does is Max Allen, a young filmmaker who wants to make a documentary on her. Is he, like the other characters, based on a real person, and does he have a documentary on the diva? Let’s get started if you’re very interested in learning more!

Must Read: Where is Angelyne Today?
Where is Max Allen Now
Image Credit: Peacock

Is Max Allen Based on Real-Life Person?

Lukas Gage plays Max Allen in ‘Angelyne,’ a young film school graduate who sets out to shoot a documentary about the renowned Los Angeles celebrity, only to become embroiled in a legal battle with her. Jesse Small, a University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts alumnus who began shooting a documentary on Angelyne in 2012, is said to be the inspiration for the character.

After journalist Gary Baum of The Hollywood Reporter conducted an in-depth investigation into her background in 2017, he also interviewed the budding filmmaker. According to Jesse, he worked on the documentary for five years and was the first to learn about Angelyne’s past before she became a billboard model. When he finished from film school in 2012, he decided to make a film on her because he had grown up seeing her advertisements all over the city and attended the same school she had.

As a result, he offered his idea to Angelyne and requested her to send him any materials she desired. In 2012, he paid for her life rights and collaborated with her for over six months.

Angelyne insisted on maintaining control over her image and didn’t want to be depicted in a negative light, according to Jesse. “I think she liked me because I was young,” he told The Hollywood Reporter about why she opted to work with him. She explained that she prefers working with new people because she can have more control over them.

That was alright with me. I wasn’t interested in investigating the issues that she was concerned about at the time. To be honest, I didn’t have a clear picture.” Jesse also recognised that the public character she had constructed was the real her.

However, Jesse quickly realised that Angelyne was being evasive about her past and forced him to interview a variety of people, including her dentist. When he saw a clip from her old movie ‘Can I Do It…’Til I Need Glasses?’ online, she accused him of stalking her.

According to Jesse, Angelyne flatly denied being a part of the film, but she refused to get the tape removed from the internet. “She labelled me a stalker after that.” “I believe that’s how she tries to define people she doesn’t want to deal with badly,” he said.

In addition, the filmmaker said that Angelyne requested expensive fragrances and other products from him, adding, “She’d ask for bottles of pink champagne, Bulgari Jasmine Noir perfume, Chanel bubble bath.” It wasn’t always about gifts. She’d only ask me to fill up her petrol tank, and if I didn’t, she’d threaten to cease working with me… She is aware that that is possibly unreasonable. She has the impression that if someone is going out of their way to help her, then she may trust them and draw them closer to her.”

Jesse eventually realised that Angelyne and her assistant Scott Hennig were not providing him with enough material for the documentary. The documents he had gathered contained inconsistencies, such as “multiple social security numbers on different public records involving civil suits and creditors.”

As a result, he decided to alter his approach and interviewed roughly 15 persons from Angelyne’s early years. Jesse chatted with her sister Annette’s daughter Cheyenne, her step-sister Norma, and her ex-husband Michael Strauss before interviewing Hugo Maisnik, her financial partner, on the billboards.

Jesse also travelled to Europe to look for information about Angelyne’s parents in the Holocaust archives. “It was just mentally terribly draining,” Jesse said when asked why he quit working with her. It was difficult to spend so much time with her… It also got challenging on a financial level, not because she was disguising her identity or anything like that. She wanted a gift every time I saw her.”

Jesse Small
Image Credit: Facebook

What Happened to Jesse Small’s Documentary on Angelyne?

Currently, Jesse Small resides in Playa del Rey, California. He was in charge of his family’s real estate investments in 2017. “It’s all shot,” he said of his documentary to Gary. Everything has been researched. I have a 58-minute cut of it, and I’m currently seeking for a new editor. Finishing it in the appropriate hands is like a six-week job.

However, finding the appropriate hands has proven to be quite difficult. I’ve never before made a film.” He also mentioned that he would try to interview Angelyne again, but was unsure if she would consent given his extensive study.

Despite the fact that Jesse’s documentary appears to be finished, it is unclear whether he released it after Gary’s interview. In an interview, actor Lukas Gage said that Jesse had shown him the documentary. Regardless, the filmmaker explained to Gary the purpose of his effort, saying, “On a very personal level, she went through these conditions, these experiences, and there’s no reason to hide it.”

People adore you for who you truly are, even if you have no idea who you are. Because of it, everything you’ve accomplished is even more incredible. I really want to convey that there’s a whole person there.”

YOu can stream ‘Angelyne’ biographical drama on Peacock TV.

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