Story & Lesson Highlights with Melissa Velasco of Hollywood

We recently had the chance to connect with Melissa Velasco and have shared our conversation below.

Melissa, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
This is a tough one. I can immediately eliminate intelligence, because we all harbor genius. While we each have a different area of brilliance, it lives in us all. Energy is incredibly important to me. I believe in follow-through in everything I do. Integrity, though, is my answer. I aim to live my life from a place of growing integrity. Moments that my integrity fell short, haunt me. Someone’s ability to admit they’re wrong, and answer with an honest “I don’t know,” instead of cosplaying expertise, speaks greatly to their character.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Melissa Velasco- choreographer, stage manager, university professor, and the author of the Hollywood High Chronicles book series. Being a multi-faceted artist is key to success in the arts, in my experience. I’ve also discovered that all my areas of artistic expertise are interconnected. Creativity has so many outlets, but the process of creation is built of universal artistic energy.

My book series, The Hollywood High Chronicles, is the culmination of my artistic accomplishments. Utilizing my understanding of dance, theater, and academia, I have published seven books in my metaphysical thriller series. There are sixteen books slated, and I’m loving the authoring journey.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The belief that one day I’ll have all the answers. Youth is built of this belief that adults have it figured out. As I age, I’ve discovered that life is a journey with no plateau where we know all the things and ‘have it together.’ I don’t really want to have it together anymore, because there’s always something to learn and experience. The concept of ‘one day I’ll be an adult with all the knowledge’ used to bring me comfort. I’m grateful that fallacy was merely a myth. How boring would life be if we became the brand of adult that I once assumed?

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I changed my mind about the concept of failure. I used to see failure as a rock bottom sign of my own dejected worthlessness. I’ve discovered that failure is merely process. Any great accomplishment is built of trial and error. If creation, invention, and success were easy, then accomplishments wouldn’t be a special moment of pride and celebration.

Failure is often a product of effort. Effort is a key ingredient in accomplishment. When you fail, assess what didn’t work, find a different angle, and keep on keeping on. Success is a journey.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie in the entertainment industry is that fame and fortune are the mark of success. Instead, product and consistent creation mark success for so many artists that I know. Artists rarely reach a pinnacle of fame. I believe many artists wouldn’t enjoy fame if they did reach it.

As an artist, I aim to enjoy the lifelong creative adventure. Each new opportunity as a choreographer, stage manager, teacher, performer, and writer, is a gift. I look back on my career in the arts with a sense of pride because process and creation are abundant. Abundance is a mark of achievement for an artist. Desperately chasing financial glory thwarts the joy of creation, in my experience.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
All day, every day, without question. I’m incredibly honest about what I can devote to a project. If I can’t meet expectations, I don’t take on the endeavor. My best is required in everything I do, not because I’m searching for praise, but because I have personal standards. Personal standards built my Hollywood High Chronicles book series brand. I spared no expense and cut no corners. The necessary amount of time, energy, and effort goes into every area of my work. It leaves me in a position of being proud of the work I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.melissavelascobooks.com
• Instagram: @melissa.velasco.31508
• Facebook: Hollywood High Chronicles Book Series
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hollywoodhighchronicles

Image Credits
Photographer: Tino Duvick of Broken Chain Photography
Models: Maddie Dawn Cordero and Isaac Lockwood