Soamel Pictures

It’s not often that award-winning artists are able to collaborate without getting in each other’s way, and even more rare when those collaborations develop into a creative partnership that lasts for decades. John Soares and Jeff Mellin met way back in the 20th century when John was shooting portraits of rockstars and Jeff was designing for record labels and art magazines. John’s distinctive photographic approach, a balance of geometry and humanity, was a perfect match for Jeff’s kinetic, story-driven art direction. Their shared love of music, retro aesthetics, kitschy humor, and respect for their subject matter, sealed the deal. They continue to collaborate, and their collaborations continue to evolve. John brings his portraitist eye for light, color and environmental composition to his cinematography, complimenting Jeff’s musical, dreamlike narrative editing style. They both love a well planned concept and pay meticulous attention to detail, but have the good sense to let it all go and make do with the resources at hand. And they both know that, often, that’s when you get the best results. The stuff they make is fun but thoughtful, retro-inspired but experimentally aspiring, both outré and introspective. Their works have been shown at the New York City Independent Film Festival, Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, and the Arlington International Film Festival.