Our Reception Area

For the past six months, I’ve been working on the creation and launch of Online.tv:

Online.tv is a complete digital video solution provider for the web video era. Online.tv combines the world’s largest network of online specialty HD video channels, online third party video super-distribution, advanced scalable technology solutions for video and content delivery and presentation, and a high performance production studio optimized for web production.

Studio A - soon to be the green screen studio

Part of this project for the past few months has been the finding, designing and building out of a 3000 square foot production studio, that includes two full HD shoot studios (15×33), one designated as a permanent green screen studio (with option to be a blue screen studio), the other a white cyc that can be adapted to any color/purpose. The studios are lit by cool lights purchased from Alzo Digital, that are 5500k soft box units - they stay cool, look great, use less energy, which is important these days.

You can see a tour of the space here.

Much, much more to come.  Stayed tuned to be amazed…

Peace,
Melissa

On the Ocean…

I am crazy busy. In a once in a lifetime kind of way. So its spectacular, hard as hell, exhausting, complex, full of excitement, worry and love for what I am doing. And for the people who’ve made this happen and keep making it happen. I am blessed…

Conch Fisherman

I’m building a studio, been to Belize, shot some incredible interviews with amazing New Yorkers, and am having to grow up all the sudden. After 38 years of avoiding it AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, I hear snickers from certain friends who are dying with barely suppressed laughter. (Yah, you Scott, I hear you…yuck it up, funny man…). I’m rolling all my work into one company, centralized and organized. I have an awesome biz partner, someone who I am hoping will continue to rock my professional world. So far, he’s exceeded expectations and left me spinning with even more possibilities in communication and production.

Junior at The Belize Zoo

I’m becoming more hands off, which makes me dizzy at times, being a total creative control freak. But there is only one of me, and only so many hours in the day, so if I half ass a bunch of work, it will all suffer. I’m delegating, training, stealing late hours to focus and write. Its like editing or producing but with a lot more extras and drama, since there’s construction to manage too.

I am taking flight…its majestic and magical up here…

Peace and much love,
Melissa

Point your bow to the clouds and keep on til the morning star…

I’ve been hard at work on some amazing new projects, but in the meantime, to feed my soul, I scribbled these down:

We All Have A Little Envy In Us

she, confused
angry
unhinged
watches what she wants
walk away
her throat clenches
eyes water
teeth grit
shame and disappointment redden
her wet cheeks
she wants to run
until she forces breath
out of her stinging lungs
instead, she stands
sheds no tears
feels every motion and change a stab
new to her open wounds
and takes it all, again
as she has been destined to
again, and again
like a cushion for others’ falls
or a target for others’ practice arrows
because she CAN take it
she must
all the while, wondering
when she can rest
love
hope
dream
and drink from life
instead of being drained by it

MU 07/2008

The Impact Of A Kiss

Hard in my head
wait, breathe
don’t BREATHE
stay in orbit
don’t land just yet
stare, huff, look away
brush my hair
off one glowing cheek
the panic, overcome
by desire
“Land on me”
I plead in a whisper
and so you
kiss me…

MU 07/2008

Estrella @ 3

Glints and crinkles
giggles and sighs
a million points of brown
cinnamon constellations
between alabaster skies
expand like novas in the sun
water dazzles on curls
of jet and indigo
she turns to laugh
her stars of blue startling
before the next wave
pulls her focus away

MU 07/2008

Keep scribbling, fellow poets…even when life pulls you into the streams of un-consciousness…

Peace & Much Love,
Melissa

IDTag.com Web Commercial

Images from Online.tv Stock Video shoot

So I’ve been super busy lately. Lots of great stuff to report, including a commercial for IDTag.com; and lots of great productions coming out of my new venture, Online.tv. More to tell about Online.tv once the summer rolls around and we launch. Until then, keep an eye out for happy hints dropped here.

The new clips will be on my reel shortly!

Peace,
Melissa

Why we are all here…

Peace & Much Love,
Melissa

I am thrilled to announce that a film I was Director of Photography for, “Mandatory Service”, received the award for BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival:

http://www.tribecafilmfestival.org/filmguide/Mandatory_Service.html

About the film:

The cultural impact of the militarization of Israeli society has both challenged and stifled the cultivation of creativity in the country. Mandatory Service asks a series of often ignored yet important questions about how forced military service-and resistance to it-influences Israeli artists’ and activists’ efforts to re-civilize the consciousness of Israeli society.

I shot this film at a pivotal time in my development as a filmmaker, and the opportunity to shoot on such a powerful topic was life changing. Not to mention being able to shoot out of a doorless helicopter over the desert, Masada and the Dead Sea!

Much thanks and love to the director and producer of the film, Jessica Habie & Nirah Shirazipour.

Peace,
Melissa

The Kiss - Gustav Klimt

Age teaches me patience - I sky dived, swam with sharks and did a marathon the year I turned 30.  I am now approaching 40, with my 38th birthday coming up May 29, and the most daring thing I can think of doing is falling in love.

Huh, who knew?

Peace and Much Love,
Melissa

Gregg LeFevre & Andrea Grant

I shot the pilot for Art Seen this past Saturday, with host Andrea Grant and guest Gregg LeFevre.  Gregg is a public works bronze artist and urban textures photographer, focusing on the decaying billboards around the city.

I’ll have more updates soon about the new Online.tv venture I’m a part of, with exciting invitations to participate!

Peace,
Melissa

Two more pieces about the 2008 election are now online on the Huffington Post.  Check them out here!

Peace,
Melissa

Check out the flyer above for DJ Seth Gold’s Birthday Bash.  The image was from our photo shoot last August.  Right click and “view image” to see the flyer full size.

Peace,
Melissa

The TOTP performance circa 1977

A discussion of the song, decades later

I remember my sister and I begging my brother to play “The Killing of Georgie” over and over.  Little girls with big hearts, we would sing this at the top of our lungs and cry over the last lines - “Oh Georgie’s dead - don’t go away - Georgie is dead - you take our breath away!”.

I was 8, she was 6, and combined we made our 14 yr old brother play the song over and over.  It captivated us, told us a story, made us wail for Georgie and Rod and all the sad people all over the world, missing a friend.  We would keep after our brother to play it as much as possible, until he got too annoyed with our crying and singing.  As brothers go, he was not the most patient or tolerant.  But he did recognize great songs, and “The Killing of Georgie” is a classic.

In the discussion of the piece, one interviewee said the song is dated.  I disagree.  I spend a lot time with young gay dancers, as part of my photography gigs in clubs.  These young men are my friends, dance partners, models and co-conspirators in art.  I hear stories all the time of fathers who can’t accept their sons, mothers who stand in the middle holding on hard to both husband and child, sons who are still coming out and facing who they are in a world where gay bashing still happens regularly.  PFLAG, people!

I’m bisexual, out and very happy with my life.  Granted, I mostly date men these days, but my sexual identity is more than a hobby - its a political statement, that in some places could put me in great danger.  And while I can straddle both gay and straight worlds, it does not armor me from the hateful words I hear daily about homosexuality.  I do speak out, but not all minds and ears are open to hearing a different perspective.   I know the wrong word to the wrong person could get me in trouble, but that can’t keep me silent.

I hold this space for my friends, bash back when needed, cheer loudly when its needed, and feel compassion for those who still find alternative sexual identities dangerous.   We are such lovely, brave people, full of a desire to love and be loved, and yet we cause fear - a deep, primal fear in some cases.

From Georgie to Brandon Teena,  to lawmaker Sally Kern in Oklahoma, who describes gays as “a bigger threat to American than terrorism”, (read her op ed letter to explain this and TRY not to get mad) , equality and safety STILL do not exist for the GLBT community.

Are we that scary that we fit in the same category as a terrorist?  You mean loving and being loved is terrorism?  Think on it…

Peace,
Melissa

Festival Founders rock out with their docs out!

I shot press stills and interviews for the Cinema Eye Awards - the first awards show totally for documentaries. Sponsored by IndiePix, the event was a raging success, and really inspired me as a documentary filmmaker. It had me fired up to keep going, and to know that a room full of great minds knew my personal pain and joy deeply. We all share this bug, this nagging desire to communicate meaningfully.

“Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)” winners!

The big winners of the night were the crew of “Manda Bala (Send a Bullet)” - they won for Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Filmmaking, Outstanding Achievement in Editing and Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography.

presenter Barbara Kopple

Lots of documentary greats in the house - presenters included Barbara Kopple, Alan Berliner, Alex Gibney…it was incredible to be face to face, shooting these folks and hearing them speak from their hearts about documentary filmmaking.

the Eyes…

This was the first year, hopefully of many more years to come! Check out the pix soon to be uploaded in the photography section.

Peace,
Melissa

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I celebrate being a Celt on this day, my roots deep in green shamrocks.  Its evident in my red hair and my innate storytelling brilliance.  And my utter lack of modesty!  Hahaha…

We Irish are fierce, and when we fight, its not to win, its to destroy.  We have no fear and we often had nothing to lose.  Plus, we do love a battle.  Donnybrook to debate, its more fun if its got a bite to it.

We are melancholy and moody, sunny smiles and gray eyes.  Much like the weather, mercurial, mystical, magical.  We weave our thoughts into masterpieces of literature and song.  We thrum and hum along with the pulse of land.

We are tough, tender, grit and grim and ever thinking.  Some of us are ever drinking.  The rest are sober and sparkling and walking our friends home.  Hahaha…

Peace,
Melissa

For D:

Buddha’s head
Like my heart
Shattered
Scattered
Reckless handling
Mindless rambling
Explaining air
Over and over
No tap dance
No sliding out
I pin you
Caught in thought
Called for behavior
You scramble
Crab-ways
From my glare
Cold hard and disgusted

Buddha’s body
Disconnected
Disrespected
Accidental
Your act was not
Incidental
Your motives were
Monumental
Cruel to joy
Poorly chosen
The glass before you
Was never empty
Overflowing
Abundant
Accepting
You lost me
Throat dry?

Peace,
Melissa

The Art & Apathy Project was selected for inclusion in the next Tribeca Film Festival. Directed by Jessica Habie, this film addresses the militarized conditions artists struggle to create under in Israel and Palestine, and the complexities of occupations. I was one of the DPs for this project, and it was my great honor to help bring this conversation to Western audiences. Please check out the site and join in the dialogue:

http://www.artandapathyfilms.com

Peace,
Melissa
Multo.com

A piece I directed, edited by Vince Wallace, was picked up by The Huffington Post.  Featured on the front page, you can see the full article here.

Peace,
Melissa

I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that prepares a chamber for the winged thing it never has seen but is to be - that man may have cosmic destinies that he does not understand. And so beyond the vision of battling races and an impoverished earth, I catch a dreaming glimpse of peace.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

This is a piece we’re developing for UrbNews.tv.

Check it out!

Peace,
Melissa

 

 Obama Who? [3:37m]: Play Now | Download (200)

BUSTED!

Silly moralist - tricks are for kids! Now how does the man who busted a prostitution ring, of bargain hookers, end up with a $5,500/night call girl in Washington? Oh, yah, politician…hmmm…

Now if he told his kids or wife they had to cut back or couldn’t get that new bicycle, dress or Playstation, he’s doubly screwed. “Daddy told me I couldn’t have a new laptop, cause he spends all his money on hookers”. Wow, I predict years of therapy ahead for that family, especially if he was as hard core a moralist at home as he was in office. And his wife - I’m sure she livid, furious about many aspects of this situation. I feel most for her - he wasn’t even smart and respectful enough to be discreet - I mean, if you think, in this day and age, that you aren’t being watched, recorded, tapped and tracked, especially as a Democrat in a Republican ruled country, you are an idiot. But I do hope they throw the Mann Act at him - if its good enough to bust Jack Johnson sending a train ticket to his WIFE, its mos def good enough for Spitzer.

Go D!

What I am excited about is who will take Spitzer’s place - David Paterson, the Lt. Governor. This is his bio:

David A. Paterson was elected New York’s lieutenant governor on November 7, 2006.

Elected to represent Harlem in the New York State Senate in 1985, David Paterson has demanded and achieved change at every level, not simply by what he stands for but by who he is.

In 2002, David Paterson was elected minority leader of the New York State Senate, the first non-white legislative leader in New York’s history. In 2004 in Boston, he became the first visually impaired person to address a Democratic National Convention. And 2006 saw Mr. Paterson make history again by being elected New York’s first African-American lieutenant governor.

As New York State Senate minority leader, David Paterson led the charge on several crucial issues for New York’s future, proposing legislation for a $1 billion voter-approved stem cell research initiative, demanding a statewide alternative energy strategy, insisting on strong action to fight against domestic violence, and serving as the primary champion for minority- and women-owned businesses in New York. As a result, Governor Spitzer asked Mr. Paterson to continue to lead New York State on these issues as lieutenant governor.

Lt. Governor Paterson, who is legally blind, is also nationally recognized as a leading advocate for the visually and physically impaired. A graduate of Columbia University and Hofstra Law School, Mr. Paterson also currently serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia’s School for International and Public Affairs. David Paterson lives in Harlem with his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Ashley and Alex, and he is the son of Basil Paterson, the first non-white secretary of state of New York and the first African-American vice-chair of the national Democratic Party.

***********************

Oh yah, I really think Paterson is a PERFECT replacement for Spitzer. He’s got the track record, the passion and he’s overcome much, with his blindness hardly slowing him down. He’s a fighter, a leader and gets shit done.

Peace,
Melissa

Check out this trailer. Very interesting…

If I hadn’t already had a healthy suspicion of the Clintons, I know now for sure I’m not interested in voting for such vicious and ungrateful people.

Go Obama!

Peace,
Melissa

Multo.com is currently editing a short dance film featuring The Vintage DJ and his dancers.  There are a series of great stills up on the Multo.com photo page up now!

Stay tuned for the edit!

Peace,
Melissa

dannyboome.tv launched today with great success!  I developed the branding and whipped up this site in under a week, with all the bells and whistles - full video player, complex blog with a variety of features, complete social networking accounts set up and linked back to the main site, and lots of user interactivity for Danny’s fan base.

Go check out the Food Network’s newest culinary star!

Peace,
Melissa

This year, the flu was hardcore.  I was out for a full 7 days, and still a little wobbly.  I happen to get the flu on the tail end of my yearly bronchitis, so my struggling immune system was wiped out.

Lying in bed, there was nothing I wanted to do more than sleep.  And stop coughing.  I still had to make meetings, still had deadlines.  I took all kinds of over the counter remedies - TheraFlu, Nyquil, Tylenol, etc.  I was in total discomfort, achey and miserable.

All that medication did squat but knock me out for a few hours at a time.  The symptoms were mildly alleviated, but left me with a heavy, drugged up feeling.  I was restless, anxious, drowsy and sore.

The natural remedies - oil of oregano, using a neti pot, eating lots of veggies and drinking lots of water - those things made more of a difference than all the chemicals I had been pumping into my system for days.  Baths with epsom salt and eucalyptus oil were soothing and comforting.

Each year, I am more aware that the natural remedies do so much more for me than the chemicals in modern medicine.  Oil of oregano is a natural antibiotic, with lots of topical and internal uses.  The neti pot cleans out my sinuses more effectively than sinus sprays.

I’m keeping it as natural as I can these days.

Peace,
Melissa

Broadway.tv is up and running!  Please check out the features and reviews.  The video production was done by Multo.com.

Peace,
Melissa

Happy V Day!  Every day can be a loving, lovely love filled day if we choose it.

In little or large amounts, love is precious.  Savor what comes your way today and every day!

Peace and much love,
Melissa

I will be speaking at the the Fifth Annual Grassroots Media Conference at Hunter College on March 2!

Speaking Truth to Power: MEDIA JUSTICE IN OUR COMMUNITIES
Co-Sponsored by Film and Media Studies Department at Hunter College/CUNY
Hip-Hop Association Presents
The Womanhood LP (Learning Project) Interactive Lecture Series

About the NYC Grassroots Media Conference
For the past four years, we’ve come together to explore the political dimensions of media and how it shapes our lives. By developing relationships between community and media organizations, the NYC Grassroots Media Coalition is working to re-imagine issues of access to, control of, and power over our media system. That means defining our struggle as a struggle for Media Justice.

W.A.R. (Women Armed and Ready)!:Defining the Reel Images of Women in Hip-Hop
This is a 90-minute candid interactive workshop focusing on the role media plays in the portrayal of women in Hip-Hop, and the issues and effects that women have to deal with as a result. From Queens to whores, the roles of women have changed dramatically over the last 30 years. From misogyny to hypersexual behavior, a whole generation of young men and women have been desensitized and programmed through negative media images. It’s time to confront the media outlets, and step up as media-makers and concerned citizens, and take control of our images.  Redefine our selves and create a new perspective of women. The participants will discuss how their work addresses these issues and how it is creating media justice. They will share clips of their projects. (more…)

The Art of Love and Struggle will be screening at the Pan African Arts and Film Festival 02/11/2008 - 1:10pm, 02/13/2008 - 10:20pm, in Los Angeles, at the AMC Magic Johnson Crenshaw 15, 4020 Marlton Avenue.

Purchase tickets here!

Please do come out and support this fantastic film, which was a huge labor of love, celebrating these women and their struggle to make art.

Peace,
Melissa

Alma - the Soul of Brazil in NYC

Great news! The above CD design is for a great compilation of Brazilian Soul recently released by Wave Music…hot and bouncy!

Joanne Jimenez and I designed the cover, worked it for a couple of weeks, and finalized this lovely visual treat. Our combined creativity made the design electric, to compliment the incredible tracks.

Purchase the CD here!

Besos mil,
Melissa

THE conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.

We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society.

Our invisible governors are, in many cases, unaware of the identity of their fellow members in the inner cabinet.

“Propaganda” Edward Bernays

Anonymous is Legion. Incredibly well done. I believe certain clam diggers should be worried, cause wow, this is M worthy, this is 1984 and Manchurian Candidate. This is Guy Fawkes calling you out, Scientology. I believe it will soon be 3 pm on the school yard and you’re gonna get a whooping.

Even if it takes a long time, Anonymous certainly threw down the gauntlet and made statements of sincere and deep conviction. Scientology IS a cult. Why is everyone so afraid to say it? Legal documents worldwide have proven this since 1977, and for chrissakes, this is all based on a bet!

Yes, that’s right, L Ron made a bet with a fellow science fiction writer that he could start a religion. One that believes humans evolved from clams cause we both have a hinge on our jaw (bwahahaha) and believes we are all possessed by 30,000 Thetans (aka alien souls). And I thought the stigmata was a stretch!

The internet is abuzz with people saying this is real, a fake, watch for Feb 10, etc.  I think its fascinating and well targeted video campaign.  Even if its not real, its definitely been effective!

This organization understands Bernays so well. But keep watch - Scientology is only a clumsy, semi-retarded scam. The real threat is those who will use our fears to keep us uneducated, in our homes isolated, poor and silent. In this election year, keep an open mind while listening, but look for the holes in those well crafted media images.

Peace,
Melissa

We are each of us angels with one wing, and we can only fly embracing each other.
- Liciano de Crescenzo

Love of all levels comes naturally to very young children - they laugh, smile, fully express awe and wonder at the world around them. Kids will eagerly embrace any person who comes close enough, touching and grabbing in an exploratory way that reminds us what safe touch is like. When a child brushes your cheek gently (or not so gently), you tend to feel grace in that little moment.

Children love everything, and to them love is a never ending well of delight, always available, never conditional. They can love to different degrees people, pets, food, colors, etc. Love is not exclusive, limited, held back for something proper or better.

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.
- Morrie Schwartz

As adults, we lose this - the ability to love and touch different people. Love is reserved for family, for lovers, for spouses. Touch is discouraged in public. Love is limited by Hallmark Card defined days where expression is pre-packaged, and affection is something you express only in private. (more…)

Check out the three most hilarious videos of the past month for me:

The Landlord - A MUST SEE!!!

Which one of these is not like the others? And why does that make it EVEN FUNNIER?!?!?!

Peace,

Melissa

Blower’s Daughter - Damien Rice

É Isso Ai - Ana Carolina E Seu Jorge

I love this song - so achingly loving, full of gorgeous longing. And yet in Portuguese, (such a lovely language), it sounds strong and passionate. Both version stir something in my soul - one sad and reaching, one alive and powerful.

I so miss Lisbon…the people, the art, the energy. It was full of wide open love and laughter, with no strings, no pressure, just fun and free. It seems to a be a place where one can rest easy in happiness and extend in art.

Besos mil,
Melissa

Oh so very very true…

Love is elemental, necessary, important even, but art, oh my god.  Art is like that crazy boyfriend - hot, then cold, volatile, withholding, abundant, bitchy even.  As much as he drove you nuts, you craved, needed, lusted for him.

Art mirrors sexuality - first we start tentatively, gingerly attempting what we long for but aren’t sure how to do.  Then we get a taste - oooh, such a sweet sting - and we go crazy for it.  There is nothing we won’t do to feed that bitch of a master.  We cajole, we sink into oblivion, we beg, we even abandon.

Art tends to sit on the edge of your mind, pushing up on the top of your heart, squeezing out all vision so the tunnel only holds one single thought - create.  Make.  Do.  Be.  Express.  Expand. And love me…

The muses are often amused at the machinations of humans to create.  One must simply get out of one’s own way, and listen.  Your art, your passion - it’s yours, and yet its not.  It’s connected to the universal mind, the higher consciousness that runs like electricity through us all.  You must trust, let go, express, shut the editor off and be.  Dive in.

I am both muse and maker.  Eventually, the artist understands that they themselves are a complex work of art.  For that is the true lesson - not the things created but the process of creation itself, by a human being, aided by the divine.

In Buddhism, one of the paths to Divine Grace is Detachment:

“Eventually we detach from any expected outcome of our activities.  This is called detached attachment.  It seems paradoxical, but in this form of detachment, the activity itself is the important thing.  Being in the moment is the only item of importance.  Concentration is so complete that any thought of a goal involving the activity becomes absorbed in the process of doing the activity itself.”
- Thomas Ashley-Farrand

So losing yourself in the work is actually finding yourself.  You embody your purpose, your passion, and add to the multiplicity of voices that create from genuine experience.

I embrace and flourish on my path these days.  Art is a good and honorable master, once you give over to it.

Peace,
Melissa

Smokifantastic dancing away…

Great news!  For those of you interested in purchasing the beautiful and moving documentary, The Art of Love & Struggle, you can now get it at Film Baby!

This was an absolute labor of love, between director Jessica Habie and I. We slaved into the wee hours to get this in the can and we were thrilled with the result.

Please scoop up your copy today!

Peace,
Melissa

Lizzie White looking down on the good work…

Great news! Updates on the progress of MHB on the festival circuit! MHB was accepted to the Independents Film Festival and the Gloria Film Festival this past fall. Nancy O’Mallon was a great director to work with and the result of our joint efforts continues to bear sweet fruit.

Peace,
Melissa

I recently finished a group of clips for the new site BMI.tv (Body Mass Index). Check out the sample below and the site here!

Peace,
Melissa

 

 BMI.tv - Underweight [1:36m]: Play Now | Download (255)

Featured Video on Gravel Site

The spots I directed and edited are getting great feedback online. From the reviews of viewers, to the amount of views on YouTube.com, the spots seem to have hit a nerve. They are also currently being broadcast in New Hampshire on WMUR and MCAM. And one of the spots is featured on Gravel’s website front page, helping bolster views well over the 2800 mark in under a week.

Peace,
Melissa