Melanie LaRosa is a filmmaker and dedicated educator with wide-ranging experience in film production, from independent feature documentaries to mainstream public television, radio, and multimedia events. Her films have screened around the world and her work has been recognized with support from the New York State Council on the Arts, the Puffin Foundation, the Brooklyn Arts Council, the Lucius and Eva Eastman Fund, and inclusion in dozens of film festivals. Her research interests include personal voice, social change, and the influence of technology on culture.
MFA, Temple University, Philadelphia, 2005
Film and Media Arts
BA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1992
Political Science
Personal voice in filmmaking Technical history and future of filmmaking Media and identity Diversity in media production
How To Power A City: Atlantic City
[Film screening] Puffin Cultural Forum, Teaneck, NJHow To Power A City: Las Vegas and Puerto Rico shorts
[Film screening] Transitions Film Festival, Melbourne, AustraliaThe Poetry Deal: a film with Diane di Prima
[Film screening] Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library, Brooklyn, NYAdventures of Wonderbooks
[Film screening] Aroha Film Festival, Auckland, New ZealandThe Poetry Deal: a film with Diane di Prima
[Film screening] Schnitzer Cinema, Pacific Film Festival, University of Oregon, Portland, ORThe Poetry Deal: a film with Diane di Prima
[Film screening] Houston Cinema Arts Festival, Houston, TXThe Poetry Deal: a film with Diane di Prima
[Film screening] multiple events in nationwide
FSS 203: The Art of Film
MCA 220: The Making of a Motion Picture
MCA 252: Media Production I
MCA 276: Story Idea Development
MCA 331: Women in American Film
MCA 356: Digital Editing Workshop I
MCA 356: Digital Editing Wrkshp I-Intro
MCA 358: Digital Editing Workshop II
MCA 358: Digital Editing Wrkshp II- Adv
MCA 359: The Cutting Edge
MCA 361: Cinematography One
MCA 363: The Art of the Moving Camera
MCA 371: Landmarks in American Film
MCA 381: Mltmdia Strytllng: Cmmnty Actn
MCA 393: Internship Program I
MCA 395: Independent Study in MCA
MCA 397: Multimedia Storytelling
MCA 425: Flmng the Actor/Acting for Flm
MCA 498: Directing
MCA 652: Digital Video Field Prod
MCA 693: Internship
MCA 695: Independent Study in Comm
MCA 696: Editing Aesthetics
“How to Power a City” is a documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker and professor Melanie LaRosa, was shot in several locations around the U.S. including the Southeast Michigan city, which is located within Detroit’s corporate boundary. The film documents similar resilient, grassroots efforts in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, New York and Puerto Rico.
Through her documentary film, How to Power a City, Dyson Professor Melanie LaRosa explores the people leading initiatives that are helping to bring clean energy to cities across the country.