Melanie LaRosa
Biography
Faculty Bio
Melanie LaRosa is a filmmaker and dedicated educator with wide-ranging experience in film production, from independent feature documentaries to mainstream public television, radio, and multimedia events. Her films have screened around the world and her work has been recognized with support from the New York State Council on the Arts, the Puffin Foundation, the Brooklyn Arts Council, the Lucius and Eva Eastman Fund, and inclusion in dozens of film festivals. Her research interests include personal voice, social change, and the influence of technology on culture.
Awards and Honors
- Starry Night Programs and Artist Residency, 2015, Artist Residency
Education
MFA, Temple University, Philadelphia, 2005
Film and Media Arts
BA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1992
Political Science
Research and Creative Works
Research Interest
Personal voice in filmmaking Technical history and future of filmmaking Media and identity Diversity in media production
Artistic and Professional Performances and Exhibits
How To Power A City: Atlantic City
[Film screening] Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck, NJHow To Power A City: Las Vegas and Puerto Rico shorts
[Film screening] Transitions Film Festival, Melbourne, AustraliaThe Poetry Deal: a film with Diane di Prima
[Film screening] Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, NYAdventures of Wonderbooks
[Film screening] Aroha Film Festival, Auckland, New ZealandThe Poetry Deal: a film with Diane di Prima
[Film screening] Schnitzer Cinema, Pacific Film Festival, University of Oregon, Portland, ORThe Poetry Deal: a film with Diane di Prima
[Film screening] Houston Cinema Arts Festival, Houston, TXThe Poetry Deal: a film with Diane di Prima
[Film screening] multiple events in nationwide
Courses Taught
Past Courses
FSS 203: The Art of Film
MCA 220: The Making of a Motion Picture
MCA 252: Media Production I
MCA 276: Story Idea Development
MCA 331: Women in American Film
MCA 356: Digital Editing Workshop I
MCA 356: Digital Editing Wrkshp I-Intro
MCA 358: Digital Editing Workshop II
MCA 358: Digital Editing Wrkshp II- Adv
MCA 359: The Cutting Edge
MCA 361: Cinematography One
MCA 363: The Art of the Moving Camera
MCA 371: Landmarks in American Film
MCA 381: Mltmdia Strytllng: Cmmnty Actn
MCA 393: Internship Program I
MCA 395: Independent Study in MCA
MCA 397: Multimedia Storytelling
MCA 425: Flmng the Actor/Acting for Flm
MCA 498: Directing
MCA 652: Digital Video Field Prod
MCA 693: Internship
MCA 695: Independent Study in Comm
MCA 696: Editing Aesthetics
Professional Contributions and Service
Media Contributions
NPR's Latino USA [Internet], June2018
"Solar Libre: Family Affair" — short documentary on rebuilding Puerto Rico with solar after Hurricane Maria
NPR program: "Latino USA" [Radio], May312014
Special Projects Producer, Futuro Media Group, producing live-streamed media events for an NPR program, including:
- "Quiz The Media" — Chicago, IL.
- "Citizenship and Belonging: A conversation with Lulú Martinez" - Chicago IL.
- "Careers In Media for Youth" - New York, NY.
- "Lanare and Beyond: A Town Hall about Water" - Fresno, CA.
- "Long Beach Eats", Long Beach, CA.
- "You Crazy: Growing Up Latino and Surviving to 25", Davis, CA.
All events were live-streamed or live-broadcast.
PBS Series: "America By The Numbers" [TV], May312014
Special Projects Producer, Futuro Media Group, producing events for the premiere and nationwide release of the PBS series "America By The Numbers with Maria Hinojosa: Clarkston, Georgia." Events took place in: Atlanta, GA; Clarkston, GA; Tucson, AZ; San Diego, CA; Boulder, CO; Chicago, IL; and Washington DC.
Women's eNews [Internet], April132012
"I Broke Filmmaking Rules to Capture Anarchist Poet,” for online feminist news source with international readership of 1.5M per month.
Department Service
- Hiring Committee [Committee Member]