Mr Monk and Melissa

Hello to you! Currently, it is unusually warm here in Los Angeles. We are having a case of The September Summer (at least that is what I am calling it!) Speaking of cases I have always been a fan of the television show Monk. When I did Jersey Boys in SF, I would wait out the rain watching Monk Marathon's on USA in my cozy studio on Geary Street. It doesn't get any better than Tony Shalhoub as the obsessive compulsive detective who uses unconventional means to solve mysteries, murders and baffling cases. Monk is scheduled to come back on the air January 2009 to complete it's seventh season. Wow, seven seasons!

Yesterday in 104 degree heat, I am delighted to inform you that I shot the holiday episode of Monk entitled "Mr. Monk and the Miracle." The episode was written by Peter Wolk and directed by Andrei Belgrader. I play a small role as a young clerk in a recycling center. My scene is with Mr Monk himself. The crew and and cast took over an entire mini strip mall and recycle redemption center. Dressed for winter and shooting in the crack of the valley- the heat made shooting on location a little rough- but after a while your mind gets warm and tells your body to remain steady (I call that mind over heat wave!) There was a huge crane holding a light scrim above us that diffused the bright sunlight and created some shade. The crew supplied everyone with gatorade, water and wet rags to keep cool. I had a great time acting with Tony and being on set! The script is really great and I am excited to tune in during the holiday season and watch the episode (official air date to be determined, but I am assuming near Christmas!) To learn more about Monk and watch clips please click the title of this blog to link to the official Monk website.

Thank you Corbin, Anya and Amy of CFB and of course Tony and Andrei and the entire cast and crew of Monk. It was a great day. So glad to be a part of the episode.

Switching gears now! I have had the opportunity to see a lot of theatre lately. I love to see shows especially if my friends are in them. I get so excited for them. I've seen Vanities, the Musical (Elizabeth was so great), Dreamgirls in San Diego (Charl was amazing), I've seen Memphis in La Jolla (MBW was outstanding) and with my good friend Darrin I saw This Beautiful City at the Kirk Douglas, CTG. Whew- it has been a busy month of doing what I enjoy- acting and watching acting and yes, I do declare, I am officially back! So thankful and so good to be back...

Melissa on VALENTINE

It was Valentine's Day early for me! I am excited to report I filmed an episode of the new TV show Valentine (airs on CW)! I play "Trudi" in the episode entitled "Summer Nights" written by Melissa Byer and Treena Hancock. Get this- the episode is scheduled to air the same night as my episode of Cold Case- Sunday November 2, 2008. That's just crazy! Things may change with football and the election, but for now November 2 baby on CBS and the CW! To learn more about Valentine click on the title of this blog to link to the shows website and to watch a coming attraction.


Get this -again. It just so happens throughout my Valentine day, I ended up reuniting with people I've had the pleasure of working with! Frank and Kara (friends), Dierdre (Falcon), Christine (Cindy and the Disco Ball with!), Robert (USC) - it was like a reunion and I wanted to burst out in "It's A Small World," but didn't want to scare the executive producers-hahaha. We filmed in Pasadena at Huntington Library Gardens- apparently some rich Mr. Huntington- who collected art, sculptures and gardened (a lot) opened his estate for the public. I'm sure glad he did because it's kinda like garden paradise in the middle of smog LA. It reminded me of the Dallas Arboretum. I don't know if it was the allergy medicine or what, but I felt like I was on cloud nine all day!

My scene partner was an adorable pup named "Trixie" aka Lastat. This little fluff ball sat on my arm all day. He french kissed me which is kinda gross, but I went with it and then kept my mouth closed the rest of the day. Great dog. Human wise I acted with the wonderful and talented Kris and Marie. I couldn't have asked for such great scene partners.


Here is a funny story when I accidently flubbed one of the takes. After a take, director Fred Gerber, came up to me and said something along the lines of "Remember he is a Greek god and has a special power over you- so show how you are drawn to him during the course of the scene." "Settle, Rolling, Speed, Background, and Action (in the theatre you just kinda go) was yelled and we start the scene. I walk to the bench, we exchange words, Kris gives my the dog and I start to "attract" to him. Marie joins us, pets the dog and then it's my line... Except I was so busy being "drawn" ummm I forgot to speak. So I just kept staring, getting closer and closer getting and thinking "this is like the longest take EVER!!!" I didn't even realize I had forgotten my line until after "cut." It was really funny and a little embarrassing. Taking directions to infinite bounds (apparently with out speaking.) I suppose that's what Greek Gods do to mortals. Anyways I hope you enjoy watching the episode and are happy and well!

Thanks to the cast and crew of Valentine for making my experience on the show great and to Brad Delima, Justine Hempe and Jeff Greenberg. Thank you Kevin, Courtney, Fred, Dierdre, Christine, Robert- hope the show is a great success!

And on a completely unrelated topic- I think pomegranate seeds are really gross, hard to eat and over rated. I am never buying them again. Blueberries are way better.

Melissa on Cold Case

Summer has ended, the weather is turning "cold" and the new Fall TV season is a coming! I am ecstatic to announce that I filmed an episode of my favorite TV show, COLD CASE. I play the character Paula in 1981 in the episode "The Dealer" directed by Chris Fisher. The episode is scheduled to air on CBS on Sunday November 2, 2008. 'Paula' is a bridge and tunnel, Good Will wearing, sassy Jersey accent talking, feathered hair kinda gal. Being in Jersey Boys was excellent character preparation- hahahaha.



Greg Plageman wrote an amazing script- the mystery/story is really great. My character 'Paula' is played by two actresses- present day Paula and Paula in 1981 (me.) We shot part of the episode in an abandoned car dealership in Bellflower (greater LA area.) Everyone was amazing to work with in all the departments- hair, makeup, wardrobe, the crew and the actors were all talented and warm people on and off the camera. The attention to detail was brilliant especially how everyone worked together to recreate 1981. I didn't want the day to end. When did TV cameras get so big? They were like large child elephants rolling around on train tracks and there were two of them! It gives camera blocking new importance. I stopped by my agents office after I was back in my neighborhood so she could see my hairdo. To visit the official CBS website click on the title of this blog.

Thanks Paul, Sheila, Shaner Testa, Greg, Chris and everyone at Cold Case. I had a great time on set.

Audience Choice Award

Wonderful news! The War of Game won the Audience Choice Award at the Gangrene Film Festival, Utah this past weekend. Brandon Lawrence the films executive producer and director presented the film and accepted the top honors. Congratulations Tough Guppy productions and everyone who created and worked on The War of Game! Click on the title of this blog to visit the film's official website!



Having an imagination is key to living a complete life, but what if it begins to blur your line with reality? Jimmy is your average guy. He has a girlfriend, great friends, and a good job as a substitute teacher. The only problem is that he is obsessed with video games. Watch as Jimmy toes the line between reality and fantasy as he embarks on a mission to defeat the Masked Warrior in the War of Game- Episode #1"LOL-4-Evs."

Film Festivals

Great news! The film "The War of Game" is officially in the festival circuit. The little film that could will be screened at two different festivals this fall. The film will debut in the Gangreen Film Festival this weekend in Utah. This festival showcases comedy shorts from emerging film makers. So exciting for the projects creators Brandon Lawrence and Jacob Cooney. Visit the Gangrene Film Festival website at www.gangreneproductions.com/festivals

The War of Game has also been accepted in the 14th Annual Temecula Valley International Film and Music Festival September 17-21! This festival spotlights outstanding independent filmmakers and over 14,000 people are scheduled to attend in 2008. Please visit the link to learn more about the schedule and The War of Game screening times at the Temecula Valley Festival by clicking the title of this blog or clicking this link http://www.tviff.com/index.html . As always you can visit the official website for The War of Game at www.thewarofgame.com.