Melissa(CXVIII)
- Director
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Born in New York City, Melissa's family moved to New Hampshire when she
was a baby. To make her appreciate how beautiful the countryside was,
her father typically liked to drive through the burnt out section of
Brooklyn so that Melissa and her three siblings would thank him over
and over for not bringing them up "in the city." Her apple pie
background included competitive gymnastics, cheer-leading, drama, and
riding on the back of many a motorcycle...and secretly studying the
metaphysical in her father's little new age bookshop where he taught
astrology at night.
Too free-spirited to sit still, Melissa found herself in a bit of trouble in college where few appreciated her new passion,playing drum...in the dorm. Melissa dropped out of Keene State College where she was majoring in Journalism, and headed off to Europe. She returned home and promptly married a musician, and in the typical young musician fashion, the marriage ended about the same time the band did.
Melissa's out-of-the-blue decision to move to Hollywood and produce and direct a movie occurred in 1996 after she had a dream where she walked into what looked like an editing or projection room, and the men working there told not to leave, that she was meant to be there. Two months later, she drove cross-country with no film experience, but a naive belief she'd do okay. Two years later, Melissa's first 35mm feature (94 min) was produced and posted on a budget of 15K, and accomplished this with the generous assistance of long-time industry pros who went out of their way to help a newcomer. The film was shot on a 2 to 1 shooting ratio, within 2 years of Melissa entering the film industry. Her film education was primarily 'hands on.' The film debuted at the Raindance Film Festival in London where New Line Cinema and Miramax took 2nd looks, and Melissa has been noted as having produced and posted the lowest budget 35mm film in modern history.
In addition to being a producer and director, film publicist and feature articles writer, Melissa is also a Rock & Roll drummer. She has played to crowds of up to 10,000 in her previous all-women rock group, "The Raging Hormones," once all the rage in New England. After taking a 10 year break from her kit, Melissa is gearing up to play again in 2006.
As one who has exceptionally vivid dreams at night, Melissa has learned has learned to weave them into the songs and projects she is writing. Her present passions in the works include two novels with screenplay adaptations.
Other notable accomplishments in the film industry include the creation of the Roy W. Dean Video Grant, which she created with Carole Lee Dean to compliment the existing Roy W. Dean Film Grant. Melissa also acted as a guest host several times for Carole's independent film program "Filmmakers."
Additional interests include travel, and she is currently residing in New Hampshire, and making frequent trips back to Los Angeles for business.
Too free-spirited to sit still, Melissa found herself in a bit of trouble in college where few appreciated her new passion,playing drum...in the dorm. Melissa dropped out of Keene State College where she was majoring in Journalism, and headed off to Europe. She returned home and promptly married a musician, and in the typical young musician fashion, the marriage ended about the same time the band did.
Melissa's out-of-the-blue decision to move to Hollywood and produce and direct a movie occurred in 1996 after she had a dream where she walked into what looked like an editing or projection room, and the men working there told not to leave, that she was meant to be there. Two months later, she drove cross-country with no film experience, but a naive belief she'd do okay. Two years later, Melissa's first 35mm feature (94 min) was produced and posted on a budget of 15K, and accomplished this with the generous assistance of long-time industry pros who went out of their way to help a newcomer. The film was shot on a 2 to 1 shooting ratio, within 2 years of Melissa entering the film industry. Her film education was primarily 'hands on.' The film debuted at the Raindance Film Festival in London where New Line Cinema and Miramax took 2nd looks, and Melissa has been noted as having produced and posted the lowest budget 35mm film in modern history.
In addition to being a producer and director, film publicist and feature articles writer, Melissa is also a Rock & Roll drummer. She has played to crowds of up to 10,000 in her previous all-women rock group, "The Raging Hormones," once all the rage in New England. After taking a 10 year break from her kit, Melissa is gearing up to play again in 2006.
As one who has exceptionally vivid dreams at night, Melissa has learned has learned to weave them into the songs and projects she is writing. Her present passions in the works include two novels with screenplay adaptations.
Other notable accomplishments in the film industry include the creation of the Roy W. Dean Video Grant, which she created with Carole Lee Dean to compliment the existing Roy W. Dean Film Grant. Melissa also acted as a guest host several times for Carole's independent film program "Filmmakers."
Additional interests include travel, and she is currently residing in New Hampshire, and making frequent trips back to Los Angeles for business.