Melanie Panario
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Production Manager
Melanie was born on the Isle of Wight, February 6th, 1960. The fifth of six children, she attended Cowes High School until the age of 18. Melanie's interest in acting was sparked by her mother Dorothy DeGamage, a successful theatre actress who encouraged Melanie to pursue her ambition with full force. Aged 14 and again at 15, Melanie earned a place in the National Youth Theatre, and it was here that her attention was pulled away from performance and into production. Melanie joined the BBC as a dresser in costume to gain knowledge of production, and then joined the BBC Drama Films department; progressing from runner, third assistant, second assistant and to production manager. Melanie's work includes Enchanted April and the 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice (she missed the last 3 weeks of filming to give birth to her only daughter Olivia).