ABOUT

The Handwritten Studio is a multi-disciplinary creative studio founded by Michael Melugin. Handwritten produces film and video projects, fine art pieces, graphic design, and mixed media animations. 

who's that guy?

Hey there, I'm Michael Melugin. I was born and raised in Missoula, Montana back in 1993. Having graduated from the University of Montana with a BFA in Digital Filmmaking, I've worked primarily in the film & television industry since 2015. I foremost consider myself to be a director, cinematographer, and video editor. Meanwhile, I moonlight as a musician, writer, painter and designer. I'm a jack-of-quite-a-few-trades and that's the way I like it. 

Handwritten was born out of my chronic inability to choose one artistic medium. I'm simply too fidgety to fit inside one box. I've fallen in love with "mixed-media art" and the opportunities it presents; I want to make art across multiple mediums, often overlapping and combining them.

So what exactly does "Handwritten" mean?

Great question. There are a few different answers. First and foremost, I simply love to write. Prose and poetry were my first true loves (even before cinema) and Handwritten began as a blog (primarily about the art of writing) back in 2017.

Also, I keep a daily journal which has become a beloved ritual. As a result, I've come to deeply cherish the physical act of writing by hand. With that said, the name Handwritten isn't entirely about the physical act.

To me, Handwritten is more figurative than literal.

Writing by hand is a distinctly personal and intimate act (think about the connotation of handwritten notes and letters). We associate the physical act of writing with intention, thoughtfulness, and care. It means you took the time to write it by hand rather than type it. So even when my art is digital or computer-based, I still seek to create art with that same [figuratively] handwritten touch. 

I'm tired of talking about myself. I'd rather be making art, so I'm gonna go do that now. Thank you if you read all this. You're awesome and I would love to work with you on your next project.

Please get in touch on the contact page or shoot me a DM on Instagram @thehandwrittenstudio if that's easier. I'd love to hear from ya. 

- Michael