Monolith / field archive / Cleveland + LA
The studio / Cleveland, Ohio
Monolith is an independently owned production studio led equally by Matt and Zenen. We make films for brands, organizations, and artists, handling creative development, production, and post.
Why we built it
We built Monolith in Cleveland after developing our own careers in production. It gives us a place to work together and take projects from the initial idea through the edit.
We work across Ohio and travel for projects. Some jobs start with a finished concept; others need us to help work out what the film should be.
Matt + Zenen
Matt Donchess and Zenen Saneshige developed their careers in filmmaking before founding Monolith. Today, they lead the company equally and work across concept, direction, camera, production, and post. Responsibilities follow the needs of each project.
Matt Donchess brings experience in Los Angeles production, live sports, entertainment, and commercial work. His background spans location filming, interviews, and production planning. At Monolith, he works across development, cinematography, and delivery. Read his account of the work that brought him back to Ohio.
Zenen Saneshige brings experience in directing, cinematography, photography, and post-production. His music-video work in Ohio predates Monolith, with published directing credits dating to 2018. At Monolith, he works across development, production, and finishing, using both digital and analog film.
The name comes from Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey.
For us, it marked the start of a company in Ohio, built around the production experience we each brought to it.
We use new tools where they help, but we stay responsible for the work we deliver.
What we protect
We make decisions by looking at the footage and the brief, and talking with the people the film is for.
We cut shots, lines, and effects when they get in the way of the film.
We stay involved through production and post, so the decisions made on set carry through to delivery.
