Meet Melissa Woods

We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Woods and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Melissa, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I think I’ve always been an artist. When I was a kid, my favorite toy was my mom’s hot glue gun. I used to build all kinds of model cities and circuses from cardboard. I used to build sets for my puppets to trample – Godzilla style. My mom had a bunch of artist friends when I was growing up – one lived in a gorgeous artist loft in Minneapolis. It was such a fun, unique and comforting environment. I knew then I wanted to be an artist. I didn’t really care what kind, but I saw someone making a living from their artwork and that was so inspiring. When I was in high school, I babysat for a kid whose dad was a director for music videos. I started watching music videos after school and I think that’s when I decided I wanted to work in film/tv.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Well! My husband and I run a sustainable Art Department business that operates across the country (and globally hopefully soon!) We are different than some Production Designers/Art Directors in that we plan for end-of-life cycle in the design process, with the aim of being as sustainable as possible. On some shows that means buying “Oops” paint at a discount, thrifting all the set dressing + re-donating at wrap, renting as much as possible and carpooling/taking public transportation. We’ve been in business together for 5 years but together – we have 30 years of experience in the film and television industry. We’re able to combine those talents to best leverage both our skillsets. Our biggest challenge so far has been building 25 spaceship sets in a gymnasium in the southern part of GA, in July/August with no A/C. I don’t think I’ve dealt with that level of heat exhaustion since then, luckily! I think the best part of any new project is trying to overcome potential challenges and to do so in a sustainable way. We sustainably built a NYC loft inside a theatre in Kentucky. We built an idyllic Christmas Village in a shopping mall in Michigan. We haven’t been met by a challenge that we haven’t been able to handle!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorites are definitely Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, The Vista Theatre, Laguna Beach for the tidepools, the Huntington Beach Library. For food/dining, I would say the Waffle in Hollywood for their GOAT Toast, Lucifer’s Pizza for their cashew pesto pizza with vegan cheese, Kura Sushi is always entertaining, Broad Street Oyster Company on the HB Pier for the best meal and view you’ll ever have together, The Warehouse Restaurant in Marina Del Ray and Tonga Hut for fun drinks and music!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think my mom, most of all. She has always encouraged me to follow my dreams, even when I felt like giving up. I got a lot of guidance from my mentor Peter Beudert at the University of Arizona, where I got my MFA in Scenic Design. He taught me the history of architecture – but more importantly how to be a good designer – which is; flexible, fun to be around, modest and kind. I would love to throw a shoutout to the Summer Theatre jobs that got me through summers 2010-2017 – Westport Country Playhouse, Santa Cruz Shakespeare and Yale Opera. Oh – and in the Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre in Minneapolis- without which I never would have become a puppet nerd! My husband is my biggest supporter/fan/collaborator.

Website: https://www.goforart.tv

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m.woods.art

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-woods-34920918/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MWoodsMakesArt/