Filmmaking 101
Compressor 3 – Same Ol’ Issues & New Puzzles
I burn DVDs regularly from projects built in FCP, and have been doing this since the first version of FCP. DVD Studio Pro has its issues, but they are workable – the DVDs I build for clients – art installations, documentary rough cut reviews, screeners and video wallpaper – require the best out of [...]
The Stop Snitching Files
Its official – I have signed on to do the sequel to “Death Before Dishonor”, as editor and writer. These days, the editor role in my case usually means heavy story direction. I am truly excited to be doing this project, as a rebuttal to our first film on the topic. I [...]
Nielsen Online Summit Video
Screen shot from Nielsen CGM Summit Video
Today, I completed a video for the opening of the CGM Summit, to be shown later this week in NYC. Check out the “Filmmaker” section of my site to see the completed cut. It’s hot and flashy.
Peace,
Melissa
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Time for A Woman’s Studio – Warner Brothers Boycott
Warner Brothers Boycott
According to Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily, Warner Brothers president Jeff Robinov is no longer interested in seeing any scripts with a female in the lead. Nikki’s sources are several insider producers, who relayed to her “the official policy as expressly articulated by Robinov is that a male has to be the lead [...]
Andrea Grant – Messiah Complex
Check out this swell video I shot and edited for the fabulous Andrea Grant, a couple of years back. Check her out at Copious Amounts Press.
Peace,
Melissa
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Los Angeles Trip
Downtown LA
I’m off this Tuesday to LA for 10 days, as I shoot the Brothers Gallo for their online pilot. Should be an interesting trip, and it will be my first trip back since, well, I was a wee baby. I was born in LA, Hollywood to be exact.
Keep checking back for updates [...]
Oh Death Music Video
I directed a music video for Plastiq Passion a couple of weeks ago and we’ve finally finished up on post. My editor Raul did an amazing job. Much thanks to Jonathan for his cheeky performance as Death. And thanks to Nate and Natalie for their help on the shoot!
Check it out!!!
Peace,
Melissa
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New Reel Page!
Me in the sunshine…
I’ve got a new reel page up, so check out updated samples of my work in documentaries, shorts, trailers and promos.
Peace,
Melissa
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Manic Panic 30th Anniversary Video
Here is the rough and ready, cool and sassy 30th Anniversary video I created with Tish and Snooky for Manic Panic!
Peace,
Melissa
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OLHARES & Lisbon – LOVE!!!
On our way to the boat…
I have been terribly busy lately, unable to sit myself down and write up a good long entry on Lisbon (however, I did manage to get the photos up!). I cannot express enough how wonderful an experience it was – from the gracious warmth of our hosts [...]
Mighty Humble Blueberry Winner at ReelHeart
MHB wins the Codes Pro Media ReelHeART Award at the ReelHeart International Film Festival in Toronto this past weekend! The award is given to “The visiting filmmaker that exhibits true independent spirit, from promotion to inspiration and engagement” With the award comes a medallion and a Sony Cybershot 7.2 mega pixel digital camera, which Director [...]
Panel Notes from H20
Check out the notes from last week’s H20 panel on Filmmaking Methods. (Thanks to Alex Golliner for posting these!)
Peace,
Melissa
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Sleep vs Shoot
Shooting with Christi Smith from PFF Entertainment
Last night I shot a couple of interviews for the next edition of SheStory.tv – the theme being passionate persistence. Christi Smith, from PFF Entertainment, lives, works and partners with her passions. She started her business around a board game she created, PervArtistry, a charades/pictionary type game, [...]
+OLHARES Festival – Screening SheStory.tv/VJing
+OLHARES Poster (click here for full size)
I’m very excited – all the arrangements are made, and I’m heading off to sunny Lisbon June 20 to 25. Here is the list of invited artists to this unique festival:
LIST OF INVITED ARTISTS
FILIPA CÉSAR (PT/GR)
JOÃO ONOFRE(PT)
URSULA BOECKLER (GR)
NIKOLAI GALITZINE (FR)
GEORG GRAW (GR)
DIANE GUYOT (FR)
BRENDAN McNAMEE (UK)
GIACOMO PICCA [...]
The Art of Love & Struggle at H2O June 14!
The Art of Love and Struggle will be screening at the 5th Annual H20 International Film Festival, on “Women’s Day” – Thursday, June 14, btw 8 and 10 pm, at the ImaginAsian Theatre, 239 Est 59th St. NYC. Please let your network know!
Also, on Thursday, June 7, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, I [...]
Death Before Dishonor on Comedy Central
I caught a re-run of The Daily Show last night, and they too had done a story on Stop Snitching last week. A clip of “Death Before Dishonor” ran as part of the piece, which was just the right shade of absurd.
Peace,
Melissa
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Hi-Tek Contest & Unpaid Work
So the rumors are true – there’s a contest now for MC’s looking to get a deal with Hi-Tek. Check out the contest here – I wonder if its going to be as laughable as VH1′s The White Rapper Show.
The above photo is also an example of my previous post about greedy folks. [...]
SheStory.tv Trailer
Check out the digital magazine and internet video channel trailer!
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The Art of Love & Struggle at H2O
Great news! The Art of Love & Struggle will be shown this year at the 5th Annual H20 International Film Festival as part of the festival.
There will be a Q&A with us at the screening – more information coming soon the screening date and time!
Peace,
Melissa
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On H2O Film Festival Panel in June!
As a part of the 5th Annual H20 International Film Festival, I’ve been invited to be a panelist on the “Movie Magic: Filmmaking Techniques to Develop your Game” panel taking place on Thursday, June 7 from 6 to 7:30 pm at the ImaginAsian Theater, 239 E. 59th Street. Panelists will discuss trade secrets that [...]
Vote for My ON THE LOT Entry!!!
Hi Everyone!
Please help me get seen and considered by voting and reviewing my film. I think you’ll really like it. Its what can be done in under a week, with the help of some really great actors and a wonderful writer.
I directed, shot and edited this film, and I’m pretty darn proud of it:
Melissa’s ON [...]
The Final Three Egg Omelette
So its done. Edited, shipped off, and now I’m putting myself to bed for a couple of days. Oh, except I’m performing Sunday night at The Delancy…more details when I wake up later…
Until then, enjoy my On The Lot entry…
(This is not the full short, however, but the first scene – expect the full short [...]
The Sleeze by Bradley Gallo
So we finished Bradley Gallo’s entry for The Lot – The Sleeze.
Check out my amazing editing below!
Peace,
Melissa
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Bradley Gallo’s Intro
We just finished the edit of Brad’s intro reel. We had 45 seconds in which to make a point…funny, odd or direct. Watch it a few times, if you’re slow…hahaha…it does go by quick!
It is FRIGGEN HILARIOUS!
(Think Colbert Report…)
Please note -The Sleeze will be online later tonight…stay tuned!
Peace,
Melissa
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Intro Reel
Here’s my intro piece for my entry…also a pretty kickin’ reel!
Peace,
Melissa
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Three Egg Omelette & The Lot
Okay, so I’m almost done…
After shooting all day with Bradley Gallo as his Assistant Director for his “The Lot” entry, I went back to my office and shot intensively with my three person cast. The short is called “Three Egg Omelette”, written by Jerrod Bogard and directed/edited/shot by me. My entry will be [...]
Democratizing Media Seminar
At Southern Regional High School
I had a boot camp of a teaching session yesterday. Five presentations, one right after another, to high school students in the Long Beach Island area. The presentation was titled “Democratizing Media: Social Activism & Critical Thinking”. I had a great time, and I hope I inspired some [...]
Making Movies That Matter
I’ve been home with a cold, watching movie after movie. This is my favorite part of being sick – alleviating the boredom of couch napping and coughing.
This weekend, I watched a range of movies, from “Sideways” to “Millions”. I noticed several key issues with the movies being produced inside the Hollywood system or its close, [...]
Filmmaking Methods & Practices – Licensing Images/Footage/Music
The biggest pitfall of any filmmaker I’ve ever worked with is hubris – the arrogance to believe your production is untouchable, not that important to be bothered with or invisible in regards to licensing content.
A friend of mine has a cat, Pepe. When he’s feeling particularly playful or frisky, he climbs into an open top [...]
Multo.com Video & Vodcasting Services
I’m a big fan of putting tools into the hands of people eager to tell a story. At Multo.com, I work with the philosophy that everyone should be able to produce their own film, demo reel, vodcasting site or online portfolio. EPKs (Electronic Press Kits) shouldn’t be a mystery or over-priced. Once a client is [...]
