Half a Decade

Five Years.

1825 Days.

43,800 Hours.

157,784,760 Seconds.

MelonVice Studios opened in July 2020, so that means they have been creating artworks for over five years! That is an incredible milestone to have reached! Their website also started in August 2022, so it has just turned a youthful three years old.

I spoke with some of the guys at the studio to get their reaction for the five year milestone. Here is what they had to say!

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Tex: Hi River, how was school today?

River: Hey there, it wasn’t too bad. I had my science and english classes today, so it was alright, but I still haven’t done my maths homework, and that’s due tomorrow, so…I might be in trouble.

Tex: Uh oh, hopefully someone in the studio can help you with it. I just wanted to say congratulations on five years of MelonVice Studios and ask a few questions. Hopefully easier than the questions on your math homework. Is that alright?

River: Yeah! Thanks! Kei’s not coming to the studio today, so I’m thinking about texting him tonight to see if he can maybe help with my maths.

Tex: Thanks, River. You were actually the first model to officially join the studio, right?

River: Yeah.

Tex: So you would have seen the studio change the most out of everyone. Can you tell us a little bit about the changes?

River: Okay, so we actually only started in a place that was, like, in a small building. It was only after that, I think, one or two years later, when we moved into this studio with all the bigger photo rooms and offices. The photos looked heaps better after ‘cos we also got a bunch of new equipment too. ‘Cos a lot of the stuff Griffin wanted wouldn’t fit in the old place ‘cos it was too small, y’know. And just recently, the studio upgraded even more, and it’s like, wow!

Tex: Those are some big changes over five years! It’s crazy to think you guys just started in a small building. What is something you would like to do or see happen at the studio in the next five years?

River: I want to see more guys modelling at the studio. More guys mean more friends for me. Haha! 

Tex: Haha! That’s true. You are a real extrovert, aren’t you?

River: Yeah!

Tex: Alright, Final question then, a quick one. If you had to describe your time at the studio with one word, which would you choose?

River: Hmm… I would choose fun. No, wait. Exciting. Wait, no, fun is a better word I reckon. It’s always so much fun at the studio.

Tex: That’s wonderful to hear. Thank you for your time, River.

River: Thanks!

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Tex: Hello Miguel, you looked really relaxed on the sofa here, did you have a busy day?

Miguel: Hello, I kind of did. I had school, and then went back home for a little bit. My younger brother, Milo, didn’t want to do his homework, so that was something. Then I finally came here because I have a session today.

Tex: It sounds like your hands are quite full. Do you still have a moment to answer a few questions for the studio’s 5th anniversary, or should I interview someone else?

Miguel: Oh! You can interview me. I was only thinking about if Milo was going to eat his vegetables at dinner or not. What did you want to ask me?

Tex: Thank you for your time Miguel, just a few short questions. Firstly, how long have you been working at the studio?

Miguel: A little more than four years, I think. I can’t remember my exact start day, though.

Tex: Wow, that’s a long time! What has been your favorite part of working here during your four years?

Miguel: Umm… There are a lot of good things, but if I had to pick just one, I think I would say that it would be the days when there are photo sessions where they need everyone to be at the studio together. They don’t happen often, so it’s always exciting whenever all of us are at the studio at the same time. It becomes so busy, and it almost feels like a party.

Tex: That sounds like so much fun. I would love to be around on a day when everyone is here and working together.

Miguel: Yeah, I think you would like it.

Tex: And what would you say has been the most challenging part of working at the studio?

Miguel: There are some shifts, kind of like today, where I’m already a bit tired from the things I did earlier in the day, and then I have to do an energetic photoshoot after. I have to try and find that extra energy to complete it and look good so that the photos also look good. It used to be hard when I first started, but it’s much easier now.

Tex: That does sound like a tough challenge. How do you manage to get through those tough days, like today?

Miguel: I like to rest here, in the lunch room, the sofas are really comfortable. I’ve accidentally fallen asleep on them a few times. When that happened, Griffin had to come looking for me...

Tex: Yeah, I can tell that the sofas are super comfy just by sitting on them! It’s like sitting on a cloud!

Miguel: Yeah! We had beanbags too, but I think Scott moved them somewhere else. I’m not sure where they are anymore.

Tex: I really wanted to speak with him today, but I was unable to find him… But anyway, one last question, Miguel, I know you like food and drinks.

Miguel: Yes! I love food.

Tex: Haha. What are some snacks or drinks you think we should have at the 5th anniversary party?

Miguel: The drinks are easy. Anything agua fresca, that stuff is so refreshing, and it would really bring the party vibe. Also, because we’re usually working later in the evening, I think it would be a helpful energy boost. But there is so much more food to choose from. I think something small so that we can eat it with our fingers. That way, we can carry the food around and still talk with everyone.

Tex: Thank you again, Miguel, and it sounds like your knowledge of food is already on a professional level!

Miguel: Thanks, but nah, I just like to watch a lot of cooking shows with my mother.

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Tex: Hi, Avery, how are you? It’s MelonVice Studio’s 5th birthday. Did you want to come inside and answer a few questions to celebrate the anniversary? 

Avery: What? No! I don’t even know who you are!

Tex: Oh. My name is Tex, I’m the editor for the studio’s editorial. If you’d like – 

Avery: Leave me alone.

Tex: Oh, uh, okay. Maybe I’ll see you… and he’s disappeared around the corner…

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Conrad: Hey Tex, what are you up to?

Tex: Hey mate! I’m actually looking around for people to interview. Did you want to answer a few questions for the studio’s 5th anniversary?

Conrad: Oh, sure! I can do that, I just finished my shoot, so I have the time.

Tex: Great! So, let’s see here… First question, how long have you worked at the studio, and what would be your proudest moment?

Conrad: I’ve been at the studio for about three years now. I reckon my proudest moment would be…hmm…

Tex: Picking just one moment must be hard, right?

Conrad: Haha, yeah.

Tex: We can come back to this question later if you want.

Conrad: Yeah, okay.

Tex: Alright, if you could give advice to yourself on the first day at the studio, what would it be?

Conrad: Oh man, these aren’t easy questions, are they?

Tex: Haha, it’s okay, just the first thing that comes to your head.

Conrad: Umm, I would tell myself that I wouldn’t need to stress out as much. That this studio actually wants us to be as relaxed and as comfortable as possible so that the photos come out as naturally as possible. So like, just chill.

Tex: ‘Just chill.’ I think that kind of encapsulates the vibes of this place, wouldn’t you say?

Conrad: Yeah, just chill and have fun.

Tex: I like that, it should be the motto of life. What is something you’d like to see more of at the studio?

Conrad: I would like to try out more clothes and clothing styles, but I can already see that’s kinda’ happening ‘cos of Clian. He’s always making clothes nonstop, like a machine. It’s legit crazy to see how fast he can make an outfit.

Tex: That sounds amazing. I look forward to seeing you in a bunch of new clothes. Do you think Clian will start his own fashion brand?

Conrad: I never thought about that, but that would actually be really cool to see, and totally possible.

Tex: I think it would be cool as well. So, back to the first question, what is your proudest moment?

Conrad: Hmm… can it be anything to do with the studio?

Tex: Anything you’d like it to be.

Conrad: In that case, I think my proudest moment, or moments, would be helping the other boys practice for their exams, and then seeing them do better than they expected. Is that moment allowed?

Tex: Yes! That's lovely, it sounds like they have come to rely on you for help when it comes to school work.

Conrad: Yeah, I’m pretty good at most subjects at school, so I usually help them out if they need it.

Tex: I love that. Thank you for answering the questions. I know some of them were tough, but your answers were perfect.

Conrad: Thank you. I hope they were the answers you were looking for.

Tex: Don’t worry, they were perfect.

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Tex: Good evening, Griffin and Clian, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule. Griffin: Hi, it’s not a problem, we aren’t too busy or in the middle of anything at the moment, so it’s all good.

Tex: So, have you two been working on anything interesting recently?

Griffin: Nothing specifically jumps to my mind, but we recently received a lot of new equipment in the upgraded studio. I am keen on trying them out in the next few photoshoots.

Clian: Not really. I’m just catching up on creating some ideas and sketches from when the studio was closed.

Tex: The studio has been open for a whopping 5 years now! Griffin, you have been at the studio since almost the beginning. What has been your favorite part of working here?

Griffin: The models are fantastic to work with. Because they’re young, they’re so full of energy, and that really shows in the photos. Also, they really like the job, so they listen to my instructions, and that really helps out during the photoshoots.

Tex: Yes, it sounds like it helps out lots when models follow instructions well during photoshoots. What about you Clian? You joined the studio just over a year ago. Do you have a favorite part of working here?

Clian: My last bosses micromanaged me a lot and it really stunted my creativity, but here, I have the freedom to design clothes the way I want. I like that a lot.

Tex: Wow, I’m glad you were able to find relief from your previous job. It also sounds like you're also able to do what you want at this studio. Will I still be seeing both you and Griffin around at the studio for its 10th anniversary then?

Griffin: Haha, I don’t have plans of going anywhere soon.

Clian: Me neither.

Tex: Haha, excellent! So what kind of legacy do you want the studio to have by then?

Griffin: Oh, I think it would be fantastic if I had an apprentice to teach about photography. Also, at the moment, we have a lot of younger models, but I want to see some other guys about my age too, I think that would add a tiny bit of age diversity, which would be great as well.

Clian: I’m not sure. I think if we keep going in the direction we’re going, then our audience will grow, and that would also mean that more people will see my clothing. That would be good.

Tex: Speaking of which, I was talking with Conrad earlier about you, Clian. Do you think you now have the resources and opportunity to start your own clothing brand?

Clian: . . .

Griffin: Tex, look what you did! Now that Clian’s got that idea in his head, it’ll be all that he thinks about. You can even see his eyes wandering. Ah Clian…

Tex: Oh, I’m sorry? Well, I suppose I'll have to leave the two of you to the rest of your day then. Thank you again for the time.

Griffin: Thanks, Tex, I’ll see you around.

* Tex notes that questions were communicated to Clian through written text.