Melissa Mostyn is a writer, blogger, arts practitioner and mum-of-two. 'My grand passion is freedom of creative expression and it is this that drives my diverse love of the arts and media, taking in visual art, theatre, film, journalism, books and TV.' She often explores themes of communication, disability/deafness and human relationships in her work.

While CODA makes its TV debut, Melissa Mostyn-Thomas reflects on an extraordinary journey

22 September 2011

Blog

Discussing my maternal role on a disability arts blog may seem odd – and possibly tiresome for those who have been following it ever since I began my film-making adventure - but I think it’s relevant given the expectations that might have developed of me as a prospective Deaf film-maker. I had expectations of myself in that capacity too – expectations that I am now uncertain I can fulfil at this present time. Personally and professionally, the last seven months have been an...

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Melissa Mostyn-Thomas is challenged by the business of casting

22 February 2011

Blog

For a while I seemed to be wading through a sea of young blondes. But it’s not what you think. Casting is the biggest challenge I am facing right now, especially now my story has settled into a coherent arc that takes in the emotional and cultural journey of the Deaf mother, Jenny, then her hearing daughter Annabel, as they grow up over a period of 35 years. I need four actresses to play Annabel; three for Jenny; and two each for Jenny’s parents and best friend Moira. So far I have...

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Melissa Mostyn-Thomas is torn between film-making convention and arthouse

25 November 2010

Blog

Writing a script is SO HARD. Recently I received a report from an independent script editor contracted by Neath Films. While his feedback was great – he thought my idea had a lot of potential for drama and conflict – he had issues with its formatting and the central character’s conflict. The arc isn’t clear, he was suggesting. Who are we supposed to side with, the CODA (child of deaf adults) who tries to defend her mother at all costs, or is it the mother herself?...

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Melissa Mostyn-Thomas gets selected for Zoom 2011

28 October 2010

Blog

ONE DAY TO DEADLINE.  I'm all ready to go with my pitch pack for Zoom 2011 and the online showreel promised by a friend still hasn't materialised. I decide to put the Vimeo channel link on the application anyway (it does have other examples of work Neath Films can look at) and post it by next day special delivery.  Two weeks later, I'm shortlisted for interview. I shout 'Hooray!' and then groan, as I realise the interview date clashes with the first day of a family holiday in Crete....

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