Introduce Yourself : A Decade Hiatus by Mel Barrett

A Decade Hiatus

Hi all,

I've been a member now for a few months and am really impressed with all the movement here. Just saying hi again and hoping to meet more filmmakers in New England.

About me:

I'm coming off a decade hiatus after working in the studio system for many years. I began my career writing coverage for independent film production companies before I became a reality television and commercial producer, a screenwriter, director, and video editor in Los Angeles.

I guess I'm most well known--in niche circles--for my LOGO web series, FEED and myNYIIFF award-winning script, HEROINE.

I've been in Boston (Somerville, not Boston proper) for ten years now and work as a screenwriting and production consultant, but have started dipping my toes back in the water with two new feature scripts, LIAR'S TOWN (placing at NYCSA, RIFF, MAIFF, and Cynosure) and JACK OF ALL TRADES, as well as two shorts: GUNNING and USED. I'm in pre-production to direct USED right now, and hope to have it completed by Spring.

I'm a member of WOMEN IN FILM AND VIDEO NEW ENGLAND, FILM FATALES, and HARVARD SCREENWRITING GROUP

I hope you're all healthy and well and surviving this godawful friggin' pandemic. Please stop by and say hi.

Take care,

Mel

Taylor C. Baker

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1 person likes this
- Mel Barrett
4 years ago

Welcome back Mel Barrett! Always nice to take a break and come back to the industry with fresh eyes. Happy to have you in the community!

Chris Hind

Welcome Back Mel!

Richard "RB" Botto

Hey Mel, first and foremost, welcome back. Second, thank you for all the kind words regarding Stage 32. Thrills me to no end that you're finding it so beneficial.

Very much look forward to seeing you around more and to your contributions. You clearly have much to offer this community including your positive energy and collaborative spirit. Cheers.

Jason Mirch

4 years ago

Glad to have you back Mel Barrett! Keep us posted on the progress and if you ever need any help or thoughts feel free to reach out. I'm the Director of Script Services at Stage 32. j.mirch@stage32.com is the fastest way to reach me!

Mel Barrett

Thanks, Taylor C. Baker! Happy to be here.

Thanks, Chris Hind

Thanks, Jason Mirch. I will do. I may reach out. It feels like a different world out here from ten years ago. I feel way behind the curve. ;)

You're lovely, Richard "RB" Botto. I'm so glad your created this space. Honestly I've had more community communication here--even if it's a hi, hello, kind word word--than all the other regular social media platforms combined. It's refreshing and feels like a real collaborative community. I haven't found much of one here in Boston, so this has been great. Thanks for having me.

thanks for the good words, Mel. Our intention was to always build a safe and productive place for all creatives without abuse or trolling. We've certainly benefitted from all the negativity and horrible behavior on the mass social networks these days. We're here to be kind to one another, help where we can, and embrace that collaborative spirit.

CK Steefel

Congrats on your successes. I’m also a member of HSSW but have been living in Washington state these last 6 years so haven’t participated. I miss Boston. Love Somerville.

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1 person likes this
- Richard "RB" Botto
4 years ago

And you're doing a great job, Richard "RB" Botto. I also really like your and Taylor C. Baker's content on IG.

Hey, CK Steefel I know HSSW has been doing virtual script sessions for a while now. It's only $5 to take part and the more the merrier. Are you on the email list?