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Melvin James

Melvin James, a multifaceted creative artist, designer, screenwriter, and published fashion photographer, embarked on his artistic journey after his tenure at Howard University in the nation's capital. He initially made a mark as the Director of Community Organizing for a prominent urban housing development corporation, passionately organizing youth camps and programs for Newark, NJ's neighborhood youth. However, the allure of the film world beckoned when one of Melvin's scripts garnered attention from New Line Cinema, with the acclaimed Jim Carrey set to take the lead role. This pivotal moment led him to wholeheartedly pursue a career in film. Over the years, Melvin has assumed various roles in the film industry, including Producer, Production Manager, Production Coordinator, Assistant Director, among others, contributing to renowned films such as "Night Falls On Manhattan," "The Devil's Own," "Ransom," "Donnie Brasco," and "Godzilla," working alongside esteemed directors like Martin Scorsese, Sidney Lumet, Roland Emmerich, Mike Newell, Spike Lee, and Ron Howard. These experiences served as his apprenticeship under the best in the business, shaping his unique style of writing and directing. Melvin's directorial debut, "King of Hearts," garnered critical acclaim, showcasing his fearless and clever approach to filmmaking. He further solidified his presence in the industry with "Honeybee" for Artisan Entertainment and "A Miami Tail" for Lion's Gate Films. Melvin's portfolio includes several award-winning short films and successful television shows like "College Hill" on BET. Notably, his short films, "While The Cats Away," which he directed, and "Life After Her," which he produced, received official selections at the 2013 and 2017 Cannes International Film Festival, respectively. Adding to his impressive list of achievements, Melvin James currently holds the prestigious title of Yale School of Drama Special Research Fellow Director. This esteemed role was awarded to him while pursuing his MFA degree, and it involves developing the stage adaptation of the historical film, "Stormy Weather." His commitment to the arts extends beyond the world of film, showcasing his diverse talents as an avid creative artist, designer, screenwriter, and published fashion photographer. Melvin has recently wrapped production on his latest film, "Maladaptive Behavior," submitted for consideration by the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Additionally, he is attached to produce the films "Knockout: The Vickie LaMotta Story" and two streaming cable drama series, "Brooklyn Breed" and "Beauty Shot." Melvin James continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of creative storytelling and artistic expression as not only a distinguished filmmaker but also a versatile entrepreneur, channeling his creative expressions into custom-designed apparel and merchandise. His entrepreneurial endeavors complement his roles as an avid creative artist, designer, screenwriter, and published fashion photographer. Melvin's commitment to artistic innovation knows no bounds, making him a true trailblazer in multiple creative domains.