Committing to the Look, No Compromises - Why We Chose to Shoot soap.’s “Faith” on 16mm

Intentionality in Every Frame

At Monolith, we believe every frame should be intentional—every choice, deliberate. So when we partnered with soap. on his latest release, “Faith,” we aimed to craft a visual language that resonated with the song’s dark, almost sinister tone.

Embracing the Haunting Atmosphere

“Faith” is a track that prowls—haunting, atmospheric, and unafraid to embrace shadows. To capture that energy, we chose to shoot the entire project on 16mm motion picture film. This decision wasn't about nostalgia; it was about imbuing the visuals with the same raw, visceral texture as the music itself. The grain of 16mm carries a grit and unpredictability that digital cameras simply can’t replicate.

Technical Choices for Authenticity

We utilized a Krasnogorsk-3 camera—lacking crystal sync—yet still managed to match lyrics to lips in the performance shots. This demanded precision and a trust in our instincts on set. For film stock, we selected Kodak 250D, offering a warm, slightly less-grainy look than the more typical 500T. This choice enhanced the warmth of our lighting, adding a tactile, organic layer to every frame.

Visual Metaphors in Set Design

The setting was a cavernous warehouse filled with mannequins, serving as a deliberate nod to the song’s lyrics: “Can’t even figure out pretending like I fit in a crowd.” In one of the most striking shots, soap. stands amidst a sea of mannequins, captured from above—a single figure lost in a lifeless crowd. Shooting this on film heightened the surreal, dreamlike effect, aligning the song’s themes of alienation and identity with the tactile imperfection of 16mm.

Experimental B-Roll for Emotional Depth

To push the visuals further, we incorporated expired black and white 35mm still film as B-roll throughout the video. These segments are abstract, fragmented, and intentionally disconnected, breaking from the expected narrative flow. This editing choice adds a layer of disorientation that mirrors the track’s emotional undertones—a visual experiment proving that when story meets cinema, the unexpected becomes powerful.

Choosing Film Over Convenience

Shooting on motion picture film is no small decision. It’s expensive, demanding, and lacks the instant playback safety nets of digital. But for us, that was the point. We chose film over convenience because it felt right for this project. We weren’t interested in the quick or easy option—we were committed to the look, the art, and the authenticity that film brings.

A Timeless Visual Extension

The result is a music video that feels immediate yet timeless—a visual extension of soap.’s haunting sound. “Faith” is streaming now on all platforms. Watch for the full release of the video soon—because when story meets cinema, the possibilities are endless.

Behind-the-Scenes Insight

For a behind-the-scenes look at how we brought this vision to life, check out our TikTok video here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8MjJpjn/