Melanie Star Scot
Topp Scot Productions
Director, Producer and Screenwriter
Asheville, North Carolina
November 2012
> 2 weeks ago
121
About Melanie
I was enamored with the entertainment industry by the age of 8. At the impatient age of 14, I packed an elaborate backpack, loaded up my pony and took off with the intentions of traveling 3000 miles on the back roads across the country, alone! A few miles from home, I stopped at a payphone to call my Dad to tell him I was headed to Hollywood! Thankfully, I didn't get far. My poor, sweet Dad was able to find me on the road and calmly convince me to come home.
Back then, no one had ever heard of Asheville, North Carolina so as I grew up, the possibility of being in the industry seemed to become more and more unobtainable to me, so I pursued the "safe" route - college and Corporate America. I advanced quickly everywhere I worked but the higher I climbed the ladder, the less I liked the view!
My son became an actor at age 15 and accompanying him to his acting jobs confirmed to me that being on a film set was where I belonged! These were my people and this was my world. It ignited a fire within me and I began working on every film set I could - for free - just to get experience and learn the business from the bottom up.
In a few years, through nothing short of magical circumstances, I was granted the amazing opportunity to direct my first film! That first 30-minute drama won several nice awards and was purchased to air on the ShortsTV channel for 3 years. I have produced and directed 4 films now, three of which I wrote.
Writing "Quitter" and "Sangria Lift" were great practice for me but I felt I really began to find my voice when I wrote "Phoenix 454". Phoenix was selected out of about 8,000 scripts as a Quarter Finalist in the Screen Craft Screenwriting Competition. I produced & directed a 23-minute short film as a “Proof of Concept” for it. Liz Radley – film partners with Clint Eastwood for the last 20+ years – edited it for me. While watching all my rough footage, which included all of the Behind the Scenes happenings, Liz told me “YOU are a very good Director!!” Through Phoenix 454, I realized that I want to highlight dynamic women aged 40+ and bring their wisdom, experience, strength and "badassery" to the screen.
My newest script is a one-hour drama/action TV Pilot called "Eden Falls", currently my crown jewel of which I'm so proud. I wrote it when our country was going through dark and tumultuous times and it's meant to be a break from all of the negativity of the news and social media - a place where people can be entertained with fun and dramatic real-life stories and action while also seeing that, although the light doesn't always triumph over the dark, there are still plenty of people in the world who are doing good. I love the story, the town and the characters and the script has received enormous and overwhelming praise from over 30 people from all over the country, both friend and acquaintance. Sara Ray of Barbara Halls office (Homeland, Madam Secretary) gave me invaluable coaching and high accolades and a "recommend". I believe the world needs an “Eden Falls”.
I've been working hard and building my resume in film since 2009 and I'm looking for a hand UP – not handout - a boost to find the right DOOR that will get me “into the room” with the people who have the means to bring my stories to the big and small screens, so I can share my stories with the world.
Many thanks for your time in reading.
Badges
Links
Loglines
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Phoenix 454 Budget: $1M - $5M | Action ⋄ Drama Written to be a fun, Bruckheimer-style Action/Drama, Elaine Tanner, a recently widowed Mom taking care of her rebellious teenage son and her salty, paraplegic, ex-military father finds new zeal for life when she races her classic Corvette against the younger generation and becomes a female "Rocky" of street racing - earning her the respected mantle of "Fast Lane". At the heart of this racing story is an ordinary woman who does extraordinary things, a story of unspeakable betrayal, unlikely friendships and alliances and truly a family story - those related by blood and those not.
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Eden Falls (aka Allie of Eden) Drama ⋄ Action Being isolated and unheard of in the highlands of the Blue Ridge Mountains, not much has changed in EDEN FALLS in 200 years. A half-Cherokee midwife’s quiet life in her small Southern town changes dramatically with the murder of their Sheriff, a new black doctor, the opening of an opulent celebrity golf resort and now her high-school sweetheart who abandoned her twenty years ago is coming back home to be the new Sheriff.
Credits
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Phoenix Full Throttle (
2017 )
Film (Short) Writer, Director, Producer We shot a 23 minute long Proof-of-concept short film for my action/drama feature film script, Phoenix 454. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7258348/ -
The Golden Plates (
2016 )
Film (Thriller) Producer 1 Housecall, 2 Mormons, 3 Hipsters...What could possibly go wrong? -
Magical Mystery Cure (
2016 )
Film (Short) Producer Two teen brothers on a road trip to find happily-ever-after. When the younger brother is diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, instead of going into chemo and radiation treatment, the boys take off in search of a magical mystery cure they find online. Written by Sharon Y. Cobb -
Sangria Lift (
2015 )
Film (Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama and 2 More) Writer, Director, Producer Michael is having a bad day. Intense, impatient, self-absorbed, he crosses paths with several people in one 24-hour period who will change his life. Through the actions of these people, some of whom he will never meet, he receives many lessons in perspectives, perception, compassion, trust....and in the end, given the opportunity to forgive. -
Secrets in the Fall (
2015 )
Film (Family) Location management, 2nd AD Nothing is impossible for a group of young campers, friends and enemies alike, on a weekend retreat at Camp Pinnacle. But what starts as an exciting wilderness adventure turns into trouble when a young camper goes missing and the rest of the group must set out to find him. The campers are forced to overcome their differences and band together to re-claim their weekend and make it out of the woods before dark! -
Morningside (
2015 )
Film (Drama) Camera and Electrical Department In the world of the wealthy where money, power & prestige can form greed, lies, & corruption, 2 friends reunite in their hometown after being away for years. Both guard deep-rooted secrets from their past, and things are not as they seem. -
Quitter (
2014 )
Film (Comedy, Drama and Short) Writer, Director, Producer Quitter is an uplifting and humorous look at a young man's journey through the cycle of addiction. Addiction is all around us; for some it's food, cigarettes, the internet, alcohol, drugs, sex, shopping or other compulsions. Through his journey, Gabriel finds out that we are never truly alone in our struggles. Everyone will find something they can relate to and smile about in this inspiring short film. Written by Maura Muhl -
Our Father (
2014 )
Film (Short and Drama) Producer An estranged father suffering from late stage dementia, in a fleeting moment, reveals to his son secrets that begin to heal a broken family. -
The Box (
2013 )
Film (Drama and Short) Writer, Director, Producer At the height of the American Civil War, two young lovers pledge their love and devotion as they plan their future together. Their lives are torn apart and dreams are shattered as tragedy shakes their world to the core. More than a hundred years later, high school student Madison Long is discontent with relationships and the whole idea of love. She finds comfort in the home of a new friend to whom she feels strangely connected. While visiting one day she finds something which mysteriously ties the present to a not-so-distant past... The Box. "Can true love transcend war, death and eternity?" Written by Kimberly B. Davis -
The Dark One (
2012 )
Television (Fantasy) Miscellaneous Crew A dark wizard by the name of Syris, hunts down the last known pure blood wizard Michelle, to feed on her soul and gain her power. Along with his minions Bella and Brick, he strikes down anyone in his path unmercifully. Can Alex, a fellow magical apprentice, protect Michelle from this soul hungry mad man? Written by John Dondero -
Cole Younger & The Black Train (
2012 )
Film (Western) Miscellaneous Crew COLE YOUNGER & THE BLACK TRAIN traces Cole Younger's experiences with the Black Train first as a teenager, then into adult life as he partners with Jesse James to create the most notorious outlaw band of the old West, the James-Younger gang. Written by Anonymous -
Meet the Cleavers (
2012 )
Film (Short, Comedy, Horror and Mystery) Miscellaneous Crew A dark comedy / horror movie about a not so normal 1950's family who happens to live in modern day America...people keep disappearing in town..whenever they: Meet The Cleavers. -
It's Supernatural (
2012 )
Television (Talk-Show) Actress Sid Roth interviews various people who have experienced supernatural messages, dreams, miracles and visions. -
Sybling Rivalry (
2011 )
Film (Short, Comedy, Horror and Thriller) Miscellaneous Crew Family is all about a love/hate relationship... and the ties that bind. -
A Cold Day in Hell (
2011 )
Film (Western) Miscellaneous Crew Sierra Nevada Mountains, 1887: William Drayton, once a crack sharpshooter in the Civil War, has lost his wife and home. He has ascended to the high country, wanting never to be heard from again. -
Dancing in the Dark
Film (Drama, Music and Romance) Writer Add a Plot » -
Phoenix 454
Film (Action) Writer She had no idea that a death would give rise to her rebirth.
Awards
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Top 30% of Discoverable Projects on Coverfly (Phoenix 454)
(2020) -
Quarter Finalist - Screen Craft Screenwriting Fellowship - feature script "Phoenix 454"
(2019) -
Grand Winner - Best Director - 'Sangria Lift" - California Film Awards
(2015) -
Best Short Film - "Sangria Lift" - IndieFest Film Awards
(2015) -
Best Public Service Programming - "Quitter" - IndieFest Film Awards
(2015) -
Best in Women Filmmakers - "Sangria Lift" - Accolade Film Competition
(2015) -
Best in Women Filmmakers - "Quitter" - Accolade Film Competition
(2015) -
Best Film Short - "Sangria Lift" - Accolade Film Competition
(2015) -
Best in Fitness & Nutrition "Quitter" - Accolade Film Competition
(2015) -
Best in Personal Growth - "Quitter" - Accolade Film Competition
(2015) -
Best Short Film - "Sangria Lift" - Best Shorts Competition
(2015) -
Best in Women Filmmakers - "Sangria Lift" - IndieFest Film Awards
(2015) -
Best Local Filmmaker - 3rd Place - Mountain Xpress Magazine - Asheville, NC
(2015) -
Bronze Telly Award - "Quitter"
(2014) -
Bronze Telly Award - "The Box"
(2013) -
Best Costuming - "The Box" - Bare Bones Int'l Film & Music Festival
(2013) -
Best Actor - David Topp - "The Box" - Young Artists Awards - Hollywood
(2013)
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