Max Wong – Beekeeper

Max Wong began her career as the Story Editor for Limelight Productions developing feature films and special projects, most notably THE SPECIALIST, CONEHEADS and the animated series REBOOT. In 1993 she developed THE LAST SEDUCTION with Jonathan Shestack, who was then the head of Limelight’s film division.
Wong left Limelight in 1994 with Shestack to form Jonathan Shestack Productions. For the next eight months she developed and set up an eclectic slate of film and television projects including: IRON HORSEMAN at Warner Brothers; APOGEE at Universal; REVOLUTION OF THE DEAF at Disney; DOCTOR, LAWYER, INDIAN CHIEF at New Line; and GRAMPS at NBC.

From 1995-2000 Wong worked as a development and production executive for Beacon Pictures where she oversaw a slate of over 20 feature projects. She was the executive in charge of production on the smash hit AIR FORCE ONE, starring Harrison Ford. Her other projects included FAMILY MAN starring Nic Cage, directed by Brett Rattner; and the teen comedy BRING IT ON starring Kirsten Dunst and Eliza Dushku which she also exec-produced.

In 2001 she produced TUCK EVERLASTING, an adaptation of the famous children’s novel by Natalie Babbitt, starring Alexis Bledel and Oscar winners Sissy Spacek, William Hurt and Ben Kingsley for Disney.

In September 2000, Wong left Beacon to form Pink Slip Pictures with producer Karen Firestone. Since that time they have set up numerous feature and television projects including I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL based on the bestselling book; the sports comedy ALL YOU’VE GOT at Mtv; FALLING, a modern-day noir thriller at SC Films; and THE HOT FLASHES, starring Andie MacDowell and Melanie Griffith with Susan Seidelman directing.
They are currently prepping BULLET RUN with director Xavier Gens; HOME BY CHRISTMAS a biopic about Bob Hope in Korea for the USO tour on the eve of China’s invasion; THE ANATOMIST, a biopic of Mateo Colombo, the Renaissance doctor who “discovered” the clitoris; and I’LL NEVER GET OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE with the award winning writer/director Julien Nitzberg.

Wong has degrees in Film Production, French, and Still Photography from the University of Southern California.
Last month I had the opportunity to meet with beekeeper Max Wong. In addition to beekeeping, Max has had a long career in the entertainment industry. She began her career as the Story Editor for Limelight Productions developing feature films and special projects, most notably THE SPECIALIST, CONEHEADS and the animated series REBOOT.

Wong has degrees in Film Production, French, and Still Photography from the University of Southern California.

I spoke to Wong about her career and what is it like being both an entertainment industry professional and a beekeeper in Los Angeles:

ASIANCE: You’ve had such a successful career in the entertainment industry. I’m assuming beekeeping is a hobby you have on the side. What made you decide to become a beekeeper?

Max: I’ve wanted to keep bees since I was seven years old. My second-grade class took a field trip to visit a backyard beekeeper. Even though I was the only kid who got stung that day, I decided that I wanted to keep bees after the beekeeper described his hobby as “relaxing,” something my seven year old tweaker brain decided was a good idea.

ASIANCE: How many hives do you currently care for? And is beekeeping a difficult hobby to pursue? Most people harbor a healthy fear of bees, what prevents you from being stung?

Max: I currently have 5 hives. And yes, beekeeping is a very relaxing hobby that almost anyone can pick up. The youngest member in my local bee club is 5. The oldest is 96.

Honey bees are not inclined to sting people because they herbivores, not predators like wasps and hornets. Also, honeybees die from stinging. Stinging is a suicide mission for them so it really is a last resort. I know when my bees are mad at me because they will head butt me or pull my hair. When I’m working with bees I don’t know, I wear a veil and a long sleeved shirt for protection.

ASIANCE: What would you recommend to someone who has just been stung by a bee?

Max: People react differently to bee stings depending on the bee, the sting site, and the person’s pain threshold. Bee venom can relieve arthritis pain, so some people keep bees so they can be stung regularly as therapy!

For me, the worst thing about being stung is the itch. The sting only hurts for a second, the itch lasts for hours.

There are all sorts of treatment for stings–mud, baking soda paste, meat tenderizer, aspirin, and allergy meds like benadryl all have track records for giving people relief after being stung.

ASIANCE: Do you produce honey for personal use, or do you also sell your product? Also, do you produce just honey, or do you create other items such as skincare products?

Max: As much as I’d like to claim it as “my honey,” I produce nothing. The bees do all the work!

I only harvest honey and wax mainly for personal use, but I do have a long waiting list of customers who want both.

ASIANCE: I’ve heard you also participate in charity work through your bees. Can you tell us a little about this?

Max: Although all my bees are polite, I have one hive that is extra friendly. My ambassador hive is always a hit with everyone because even spazzy kids can get up close to the hive without fear.

ASIANCE: If people want to find out more about your career and your bees, where can they go?

Max: I blog about beekeeping and everything else at http://www.myromanapartment.com

I’m currently hosting The Jam Slam 2011: 52 Weeks, 52 Jams Challenge on my blog. I’m creating a new jam every week and posting the recipes. Anyone who wants to make jam and write about it can link their blog here:
http://www.myromanapartment.com/jam-slam-2011-call-preservationists/

People can also follow me on twitter at romanapartment.

ASIANCE: Going off bees for a moment, you’ve had a long career in the entertainment industry. Is there anything you are currently working on? And what would like to say to aspiring Asian filmmakers or people wanting to enter the entertainment industry that are reading this article right now?

Max: I just received an Annenberg Foundation grant to produce a documentary geared toward urban beekeepers who want to keep bees sustainably, so my bees are going to be movie stars! They are so photogenic.

High speed internet, social networking, and cheap HD cameras are making filmmaking more accessible to anyone who wants to make a movie. A really great 2 minute short film will get you much further than a mediocre feature. Make a good film and the entertainment industry will find you.