Community Highlights: Meet Melissa Blue of Rock Your Reel / Bluelit Studios

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Blue.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started as an actor who had two big problems: one: I was tired of waiting for the phone to ring, and two: when it did ring, it wasn’t always for projects I wanted to do! I KNEW I could do comedy, but casting didn’t–because I didn’t have any footage that supported that–so I ended up making my own, and suddenly I started to get work! Through this process, I realized I loved writing, producing, and directing just as much as performing. That eventually led to founding Rock Your Reel, which helps actors create specific demo reel scenes that actually feel like they are from current TV shows/Films, and that show off their range. We’ve helped hundreds of actors break through the “what else have you been in?” wall.

Then, as I worked with more creatives, I saw a bigger need. I kept getting asked “Melissa, I don’t really need any more reel footage, but I’ve got this other larger project I want to do…do you work with people for that kind of thing?” There were so many writers, actors, and first-time filmmakers sitting on incredible ideas—but they didn’t know how to get from script to screen. That’s why I founded Bluelit Studios last year–to help people bring their stories to life—whether it’s a short film, proof of concept, or a full pilot (and maybe one day a feature!). We offer writing, consulting, producing, and full-scale production services, and I get to coach and collaborate with some amazing artists in the process!

Both companies are rooted in the same mission: to empower storytellers to take the lead in their careers—and have something badass to show for it.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, it’s been smooooooth sailing the entire time for sure!

Just kidding!

Like a lot of creatives-turned-entrepreneurs, I started with passion and purpose, but had a tendency to overcommit and wear my self out (if I’m being real, I still struggle with that!)

For Rock Your Reel, the biggest challenge is proving that custom demo reels aren’t just “nice to have,” but essential tools for working actors. We have to educate both agents and actors on what good footage looks like—and then deliver it, consistently.

With Bluelit Studios, the challenges are a bit different. Helping someone shoot a scene is very different than running multiple productions, guiding first-time writers, pitching pilots, and juggling timelines.

I had to learn how to lead a team, set boundaries, protect my own creative energy, and still deliver high-quality work. And, like many small businesses, we’re still figuring out how to grow without losing what makes us different.

But every bump has made the vision clearer: empower creators, make things we’re proud of, and build a company that doesn’t just survive in this industry—but helps others thrive in it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Rock Your Reel / Bluelit Studios?
Rock Your Reel is a custom demo reel company that helps actors showcase their talent through professionally written, shot, and edited scenes designed specifically for them. We don’t recycle scripts or film anything generic. Every scene is tailored to highlight the actor’s strengths, casting type, and career goals—because we believe your reel should be something you’re excited to send out!

We specialize in dynamic 2-3 person scenes that actually look like real film or television. We are a completely on-location situation: we don’t shoot on our own built sets, so our footage looks like real projects, not just stuff that was made for a reel. And because of that, our clients book roles, sign with agents, and get into the rooms they’ve been trying to crack for years.

How do we do it? We’re actors, writers, directors, and producers ourselves—so we know what works, and what doesn’t. We’re not just shooting pretty footage—we’re telling the kinds of stories casting directors want to see. And we make the process easy, collaborative, and even fun (imagine that)!

Brand-wise, I’m proud we’ve become known as the go-to company for actors ready to level up. Our scenes get people the results they’re going after.

——-

Bluelit Studios is a boutique production company that helps actors, writers, and first-time filmmakers bring their stories to life—from rough idea to finished project. Whether someone’s writing their first pilot, producing a short, or creating a proof of concept for a bigger project, we help them write it, plan it, shoot it, and actually finish it—without the overwhelm.

We’re best known for taking creative chaos and turning it into beautiful, on-brand, festival-worthy content. We work with clients on everything from script consulting and development to full-scale production services. We’ve helped people create everything from comedy shorts to web series to heartfelt indie pilots—and we pride ourselves on making each project feel both professional and personal.

We are incredibly hands on. We don’t just hand you a checklist and wish you luck—we partner with you! We care deeply about story and structure, we believe first-time filmmakers can make something amazing, and we’re here to prove that you don’t need a crazy budget to create something amazing.

I’m most proud that we’ve helped so many creatives stop waiting and start making. If someone has a script (or even just an idea), we help them take the leap—and we stick with them through the entire process.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Just being an entrepreneur is a risk! Especially with the current state of the industry. But I firmly believe that the work we storytellers—actors, writers, directors, producers—do is important enough to keep going. Because STORIES MATTER.

I’ve taken plenty of risks, from investing my own money into building both Rock Your Reel and Bluelit Studios, to turning down jobs that didn’t align so I could stay on track (it’s why I don’t do corporate work).

I don’t think risk has to be reckless. I think of it as choosing alignment over guarantees. Yes, it’s risky to put yourself out there and build something original. But so is playing small. You don’t build a career—or a meaningful creative life—without taking some leaps. So I try to take smart risks that move me toward the kind of impact I want to have.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rockyourreel.com / www.bluelitstudios.com
• Instagram: @rockyourreel / @bluelitstudios