Melanie Brooke Sweeney started in theater, performing in Shakespeare in the Park, at the age of twelve. “A Mid-Summer Nights Dream” was her first audition and first job. “That play changed my life,” said Sweeney.
After working in front of the camera until the age of eighteen, Sweeney decided to go behind the camera to learn the industry. She is an alumna of the University of Tulsa where she studied film and film scoring. During college she took a job with Dolphin Bay Films where she was able to learn about entertainment law, work on film festivals and film distribution. In association with Dolphin Bay Films, Sweeney produced the short “How to Kill A Man”, was the Associate Producer on a passion project, “Sherman & Pacifico” with Javier Bardem, and an Executive Producer of the anime “Red Princess Blue: Geneses”.
“I knew I wanted to work in tv/film when I was a little girl. I saw movies and tv shows as something full of endless possibilities. I still do. I am still that little girl that looks at the industry with excitement, as an opportunity for adventure and as a gift of experiencing a variety of people and places all while wrapped up in this one life,” said Sweeney.
In recent years, Sweeney has found a niche in the industry script supervising on national commercials and films such as “Mosquita y Mari”, “Fug Sweater” with Bill Tangradi and “Wicked Love,” which just completed principal photography in Oklahoma utilizing the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program.
Currently, Sweeney is a member of the Producers Guild of America and works as the Production Coordinator on the Food Network show “The Pioneer Woman” in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, that is in its 15th season.
Sweeney is the founder of Sweeney Public Relations & Marketing. “The Cherokee Word for Water” was the first feature film represented under the company and gained national acclaim, won best feature film at the Western Heritage Awards at National Cowboy Museum and had of 170 screenings nationwide.
“Oklahoma is a special place to be a filmmaker; there is space to imagine and the landscape to create it. I have been fortunate enough to work around the country yet call Tulsa, Oklahoma, my home. “
Sweeney is currently working with the feature documentary “The Good Mind” about The Onondaga Nation inspired U.S democracy and advocates for the environment, while engaged in a battle with the state over ancestral lands. “The Good Mind” features cameos by Edward Norton, Mark Ruffalo and Leonardo Dicaprio. Sweeney represents performer Annie Ellicott and her new album Lonesome Goldmine coming out September 18th, 2016.
For more information, please visit Melanie’s listing in the Oklahoma Production Directory.