Living in Three Worlds at Once
For most, balancing a single demanding career can be a lifelong challenge. But for Max Thieriot — acclaimed actor, visionary director, and co-founder of Senses Wines — life unfolds across three parallel paths, each requiring its own discipline, emotion, and creative energy.
He is a man of the screen, the lens, and the soil — working on Fire Country by day, shaping scripts by night, and overseeing Pinot Noir harvests in the early hours of morning. How does he manage to keep all of it not only functioning, but thriving?
“You learn to listen to what each world needs,” Max explains. “Some days you’re building fire scenes. Others, you’re blending barrels. They both require care. And a lot of patience.”
Actor: The Heartbeat of the Story
Max’s performance as Bode Donovan in Fire Country is more than just a role — it’s a reflection of his passion for character-driven storytelling. As an actor, he brings a raw emotional intensity to the screen, often performing under brutal physical conditions and tight production timelines.
He begins each day at 4:30 a.m., arriving on set to rehearse, film, and sometimes even rewrite dialogue on the fly. Acting is still his first love, and he approaches it with a blue-collar work ethic.
What sets him apart is his empathy for the character. Bode is not a traditional hero. He’s fractured, impulsive, and yearning for redemption — and Max insists on showing that full spectrum, even when it makes audiences uncomfortable.
“I don’t want to play someone perfect,” he says. “I want to play someone real.”
Even on the busiest days of filming, he carves out time to check in with his crew, encourage guest actors, and lead by example — staying late if necessary, never taking shortcuts.
Director: The Architect of Emotion
Beyond acting, Max has stepped firmly into the director’s chair — a role that requires an entirely different mindset. As a director, he’s responsible not just for performance, but for tone, pace, visual language, and cohesion across departments.
On days when he directs episodes of Fire Country, Max arrives even earlier — overseeing camera setups, working with department heads, and pre-visualizing shots while still preparing to step into character when needed.
Directing while acting in the same project is notoriously difficult, but Max does it with quiet precision. He credits his success to a few key habits:
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Pre-planning camera angles in his hotel room, sketching out ideas after everyone else has gone to sleep.
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Rehearsing transitions with his team, making sure crew understands not just the “what” but the “why.”
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Focusing on emotional rhythm, not just coverage — knowing when to let a scene breathe, and when to drive the cut.
“Directing isn’t about control,” he says. “It’s about trust — with your actors, your DP, your editor. If you build that trust, the story leads you.”
Vineyard Owner: Grounded in the Earth
Then, far from the lights and scripts, there’s a third Max — the vintner.
Senses Wines, the boutique label Max co-founded with his childhood friends, is not a vanity project. It’s a living, breathing business that demands his attention throughout the year: managing soil health, working with winemakers, approving blends, analyzing weather patterns, and ensuring that each bottle reflects the soul of Sonoma County.
During harvest season — which often overlaps with shooting schedules — Max takes late-night calls with his vineyard team to decide when to pick. In between scenes, he’ll review fermentation notes or marketing designs. And when he finally gets a few free days, you’ll find him in boots and gloves, walking vine rows or sampling barrels.
“The vineyard keeps me honest,” he says. “There’s no script to follow. Just time, patience, and nature.”
He draws surprising parallels between winemaking and filmmaking — both are seasonal, sensory, collaborative. And both require surrendering to forces you can’t always control.
The Art of Balance
How does Max avoid burnout while living three creative lives?
1. Time Blocking, Not Multitasking
Max doesn’t believe in doing all three roles at once. He divides his day into dedicated zones — mornings for acting or directing, mid-day breaks for vineyard updates, and evenings for creative writing or family.
“I can’t do everything at the same time,” he says. “But I can give each thing my full focus for a few hours. That adds up.”
2. Team Trust
He surrounds himself with a strong, reliable team — both in production and in wine. His co-founders at Senses Wines handle daily operations, and his assistant directors know when to step in if Max is stretched thin.
He also empowers his cast and crew — trusting them to keep the vision alive even when he’s pulled away for another task.
3. Family First
Above all, Max keeps one rule non-negotiable: family time is sacred. Every week, he carves out full days with his wife and children — no emails, no scripts, no wine blends.
“If I fail at home, none of the rest matters,” he says.
What It All Means
For Max Thieriot, living three lives isn’t about ambition or image. It’s about staying rooted — in his craft, his values, and his land. He’s not chasing success. He’s cultivating something deeper: a legacy of integrity, creativity, and connection.
And whether you meet him on set, in the editing bay, or among the vines — you’ll find the same man. Present. Humble. Fully engaged in the work at hand.
“I don’t want to be the biggest name in the room,” Max says. “I want to be the one still listening.”
