Project Preview

The Protean Creative Lab.

Each year, Protean Image Group invites exceptional directors, cinematographers, programmers, and colorists to collaborate on music video productions and experimental film projects.

As a Lab Fellow, you'll work on high-octane visual projects for independent artists, indie labels, and global acts. You'll be paired with senior filmmakers and work hands-on with 16mm film stock, custom anamorphic glass, and 3D virtual production.

But what is Protean Image Group?

A team of directors, writers, programmers, cinematographers, lighting technicians, and producers that spend 99.9% of our time making. We are a boutique studio pushing for visual impact that far outweighs our footprint. Our job is to invent the future of music cinema and communicate artists' visions in ways that hypnotize audiences.

Just a few Lab projects:

  • Night Runner Lab Fellows executed end-to-end creative direction, from night street lighting to 16mm film processing.
  • Chroma Pulse A Fellow co-designed the brutalist concrete monolith laser installation and directed optical choreography.
  • Infrared Flower A Fellow engineered custom beam-splitter glass prisms and infrared false-color grading.
  • Industrial Threat Fellows shot high-speed 35mm monochrome footage inside an abandoned steel factory with pyrotechnics.
  • Overdrive 2099 Lab Fellows brought holographic stage visuals and cyber-analog street chases to life.

Roster & Studio FAQ

Who leads the Creative Lab roster? +
Our roster is led by senior directors Alex Rix (Hip-hop & Industrial), Elena Vance (Cyberpunk & 3D CGI), and founder/DP Kai (16mm & Prism Optics), working alongside our yearly cohort of creative fellows.
What camera equipment is available in the studio? +
We own and operate ARRI Alexa Mini LF, RED V-Raptor 8K VV, Bolex H16 Super 16mm, Canon K35 Vintage Anamorphic primes, custom beam-splitter prism rigs, and Sony Trinitron CRT racks.
How does the budget calculator work? +
Select your project scope, shooting formats (16mm, 35mm, 8K), shoot duration, and post-production level in Section 5 below to calculate an instant estimated cost range.

Estimate & Submit your project.

Fill out the 5-step dispatch sheet below to calculate your estimated production cost and submit your project to the Protean Creative Lab team.

2 Days
ESTIMATED PRODUCTION RANGE: $12,500 — $14,500