Meet Trailblazer Melanie Ansley

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Ansley.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up all over China – Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing, and also Taipei and Taiwan. This led me back to Asia as an adult when I was seeking work in film production, and meant I developed a niche for Chinese stories. I started in documentaries for TV such as “Shanghai Bride” and “The Last Breadbox”, but later gravitated to fiction with features such as “Red Light Revolution” and “King of Peking”, which recently released on Netflix.

I became a writer and producer mostly through chasing my passion projects. In 2014, I finished my MFA at the USC Peter Stark Program for producing and decided I’d like to dive into screenwriting and novels. During this time, I was lucky enough to write a web series that won a student Emmy, a feature film with James Franco, and two seasons of a Chinese sitcom that is slated for production end of this year. On the novel front, I’ve published one novel and one novella, and hope to do many more.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s definitely been a road with twists and turns, and as I’m just starting out in novel writing, I’m definitely learning all the pitfalls in a brand new road as well.

Most of the struggles I’ve encountered seemed like external obstacles, but really in hindsight, they were hugely internal. External obstacles will always be there, but learning how to deal with your own emotions and expectations will always help you problem-solve. I think the ability to see mistakes or failures more as learning opportunities is a priceless talent. I’m still learning this skill, and trying not to get trapped in frustration when things don’t go as planned.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
As an independent producer, I’m known for my work in China. I’ve had to navigate the intricacies of getting a production off the ground there, which often isn’t easy. Especially given how the industry there shifts almost daily. I’m also proud of having been part of films that I think offer rare windows on China and its warp speed changes. During my two years as Executive Director of the China Hollywood Society, I was grateful to have the chance to keep up with the industry and also meet other people with projects involving China.

As an author, I’m known for something completely different: fantasy novels. I’ve always been an avid fantasy reader and decided to give solo storytelling a go. I feel that my screenwriting has really shaped and helped my novel writing, and one of the benefits of being a producer is that you get a sense for what stories can jump from novel to screen. Telling cinematic stories that can go across platforms is a big advantage in this day and age. It’s been a fun journey but a steep learning curve!

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve been very lucky to have great mentors along the way, some from my two years at USC, but also just from work projects. My best results have come from showing up to work on time, working very hard, and trying to be a decent human being along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: For films: www.pekingpictures.com; For novels: www.melanieansley.com
• Twitter: @writingrooster

Image Credit:
Peking Pictures, Terracotta Distribution, Writing Rooster Media

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