Max Partain

Owner @The Outlier Project

Wheaton, IL, US

Award-winning freelance video editor and story producer specializing in emotionally driven storytelling for nonprofits, purpose-led brands, and doc-style content.Since 2015, I’ve partnered with creative teams and agencies to bring clarity, structure, and emotional power to their edits—helping clients like Chick-fil-A, Google, Westfall Gold, and Duke Health craft stories that actually connect with their audience.My work spans donor appeals, brand anthems, hype reels, social content, and short-form docs. I’m often brought in to lead post from start to finish or to reshape cuts that aren’t landing. I combine sharp story instincts with a producer’s eye for audience and outcome—helping teams avoid revision hell and get to goosebumps faster.Notable Wins:• Multiple Telly Awards – Editing, Branded Content, Sound Design• Lead Editor on Westfall Gold’s national fundraising campaigns• Author of The Invisible Art of Hype and Revision Hell (in development)