We had the good fortune of connecting with Martin Melnick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Martin, how does your business help the community?
As filmmakers I believe we have a social responsibility to tell stories that better our understanding of the human condition. For me this comes from exploring characters with unique world views and often from marginalized backgrounds. Films can offer power over social influence by expanding our empathy and understanding. Additionally, how we choose to approach the creation of art wields a power of its own. For my personal projects, I try to make sure that even in a low budget situation, that I am always conscientious of non-exploitative labor practices for everyone on our crew. I value working with people. Film is a collaborative medium and in order to properly tell stories that lift up the voices of underserved communities, I believe you must also lead by example with your own ethical business practices.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am currently in production on my first feature film. I’ve spent the last ten years working on my craft with short film productions and music videos to get me to a place where I feel comfortable in long form storytelling. My most recent project ‘1955’, a collaboration between myself and opera singer Onry is a piece I am incredibly proud of. It’s an emotional exploration of black, generational trauma that centers around 1955, the year that Emmett Till was brutally murdered. It was a complex and difficult project, but I couldn’t be more pleased with how the final piece turned out.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to Upper Left coffee for a morning brew, then out to nature for a hike in the Gorge, before returning to hit one of countless fantastic breweries in town.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
So many people have helped me along the way. My biggest supporter and teammate has been my wife Sarah Awa’xe. She’s currently producing a feature film with me, and I would be endlessly lost without her.

Website: MartinMelnick.com

Instagram: Martin_Melnick

Image Credits
David Keller, Patrick Eggert, Gunnar Heidar, Jeremiah Flores

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.