Northern California

Video and Live production

Based in Santa Cruz. Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and locations Worldwide.

WE ARE EXPANDING in 2024

Thank you for your patience as we test and deploy an entirely new web presence for Monark Pictures!

Demo REEL

Cinematography

Storytelling is the thread that connects us. Video offers the chance to tell stories with the highest level of engagement.

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Monark Pictures was founded in Santa Cruz, California in 2004. Established as a platform for documentary journalism projects, the company has expanded to offering services in a range of categories.

years of production

Clients across every industry

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portfolio

featured projectS

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Many production companies, from LA to New York and London, hire us to produce footage for episodic television and larger documentaries. We also offer editing, sound recording and post production services to clients who want a complete solution. In this section, we’re highlighting projects that we took from concept to completion.

Monark Pictures has traveled the United States to capture award winning chefs in their home kitchens for Food Network, Vitamix, Kikkoman, and Starchefs. In this segment with Miguel Escobedo, we learn why he’s trained in high cuisine but runs a family restaurant with just one dish on the menu. Birria!

services

TURNKEY PRODUCTION

VIDEO

All-inclusive location shoots with equipment and crew taken care of in one simple bid. We geek out on the details so you don't have to!

LIVE Streaming

Check out our multicamera live package for streaming your event, or for "live producing" talk show and interview content. Go home with a rough cut of your show!

ENG Package

Kit out our URSA Mini Pro G2 or the camera of your choosing with a wide range of support for all shoulder mount cameras. We can provide sound kit as well!

DRONE IMAGING

Video, still photography, and orthographic imaging for architecture and agricultural properties such as vineyards.

Story

story behind cinestar

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Dyas kardinal

CEO OF CINESTAR

Feedback

What Our Clients Say

“Reliable.” “Great eye.” “Represents my company well even when I can’t be onsite for the shoot.” These are the kinds of feedback we hear routinely.

Thanks for all your help! Your footage looks good and you've been exceedingly professional. Awesome stuff!

Spencer Wilking Producer, HBO

Getting great footage of kids playing with our toy prototypes has always been a challenge, but Michael created a fun atmosphere and captured lots of valuable shots for us. We've done a dozen projects with him and will do more in the future.

David Silverglate Sky Designs Studio

Michael creates really refined product shots with lots of attention to detail. The commercial spot for our powdered beverage came out incredible with the super slow motion shots. He's a pro!

Dave Faulkner Owner, SC Mountain Tops

Thanks for the outstanding work on our narrative short. Seeing the footage for the first time has really got us excited for the editing stage!

Casey Nixon Lot 47 Films

blog

BEHIND THE SCENES

Get a look at the process behind our work, and what to expect on your shoot.

Updated Gear List for 2024

Note: image above is from 2021. Read on for the full updates! CAMERAS Blackmagic URSA…

The Gift of a Heart

In this touching story, a heart transplant recipient forms a lifelong bond with the daughter…

Chef Holly Jivin at Bazaar, Los Angeles

Bazaar is a fascinating restaurant in Beverly Hills, decorated with artifacts and curiosities from around…

Contact

LET US Help you plan

We’d love to hear about your project and line up a successful shoot and post production process. Even if you’re in the early stages of planning, a quick call can equip you with critical insights on location, content strategies, available equipment and more. Give us a ring!