STAY GOLDEN
Sit. Stay. Create.
EDITORIAL - COLOR - PRODUCTION
Stories shaped through editorial, color, and collaboration.
SELECTED WORKS
2026 Reel
Editorial / Color / Cinematography2026 Reel
Editorial / Color / Cinematography2026 Reel
Editorial / Color / CinematographyWhat We Do
Thoughtful storytelling. From first frame to final delivery.
Editorial
01
Story-driven editing for commercials, branded content, documentaries, and everything in between.
Color Grading & Finishing
02
Purposeful color grading and meticulous finishing that bring cohesion, emotion, and polish to every frame.
Cinematography & Aerial
03
Visual storytelling, from intimate interviews to full-scale commercial productions to dynamic aerial cinematography.
Photography
04
Commercial, corporate, environmental, and portrait photography with a cinematic eye for light and composition.
CREATIVE PARTNERSHIPS
You’ve got enough on your plate.
We get it.
You're juggling clients, projects, deadlines, revisions, and the million little things that come with running a creative business.
Sometimes you just need someone you trust to take a few things off your hands.
That's where Stay Golden comes in.
From editorial and color grading to finishing and production support, we're here to help fellow creatives do what they do best without having to do absolutely everything themselves.
Need an editor to tackle an overflow project? A colorist to bring everything together? An extra set of experienced hands to help get something across the finish line?
We've got you.
We can work quietly behind the scenes as a white-label partner or collaborate directly with your team. Either way, we respect your client relationships, your creative vision, and the trust you place in us.
No unnecessary complications. Just reliable creative support from someone who understands the business.
You keep making things happen. We’ll help you make them happen.
Good work. Good people. No bullshit.
THE STORY BEHIND THE STUDIO
Stay Golden was built on a pretty simple idea: people matter more than projects, and relationships matter more than transactions.
We believe great creative work starts with giving a damn. About the story. About the people telling it. About the little details nobody else might notice.
We're not interested in manufacturing enthusiasm, chasing the next sale, or treating people like numbers on a spreadsheet. We want to make great things with good people, enjoy the process, and build relationships that last longer than the final invoice.
Founded by filmmaker, editor, and photographer John Melancon, Stay Golden is an independent creative studio specializing in editorial, color grading, cinematography, and photography.
We work alongside agencies, production companies, filmmakers, and fellow creatives who need another set of experienced hands, a fresh perspective, or someone they can trust to take a project across the finish line.
We take the work seriously. Ourselves? Not nearly as much.
Sit. Stay. Create.
Why Stay Golden?
Life's too short to spend it doing things you don't believe in with people you don't enjoy.
To us, staying golden means finding the good, even when things don't go according to plan. Learning from the difficult moments, celebrating the little victories, and remembering that there's almost always something worth smiling about.
It's also a nod to the three very good dogs who inspired the name: Charlie, Valentine, and Jack.
Three golden retrievers who have somehow mastered the art of being endlessly enthusiastic about absolutely everything.
They don't care about accolades, status, or how impressive anyone's résumé looks. They're just happy to be here, happy to see you, and always ready for whatever comes next.
It's a pretty wonderful way to approach life.
We're still working on being as good at it as they are.
Stay kind. Stay curious. Stay golden.
Hi. I’m John.
THE HUMAN BEHIND THE WORK
Filmmaker. Editor. Photographer. Drummer. Professional overthinker of things that probably don't need overthinking.
I've spent the better part of two decades working across commercial filmmaking, photography, television, and post-production. From grip and electric to cinematography, editing, and creative direction, I've worn a lot of hats along the way.
Through all of it, I've learned that the best work usually comes from good people who trust each other, enjoy the process, and genuinely care about what they're creating.
That's what I'm building with Stay Golden.
And yes, I’ll probably show you pictures of my dogs.
Good people make good things.
LET’S MAKE SOMETHING GOOD
Got a project in mind? Need another set of hands? Or just want to talk shop?
Whether you're an agency, a fellow creative, or someone with a story worth telling, we'd love to hear from you.
No awkward pitches. No pressure. Just a conversation.
Sit. Stay. Create.