Mela Hudson

Mela Hudson (July 24, 1987 – August 14, 2018) was an American actress, and producer best known for her roles in Split Costs, The Sisterhood of Night, Hits, Eight, and Melancholia.[1] Hudson made her producer debut in 2013 for such films as Presence, and Resident Evil: Red Falls.[1] Hudson died on August 14, 2018 in Burbank, California.[2]

Mela Hudson
Born
Nicole Marie Marinucci

(1987-07-24)July 24, 1987
Poughkeepsie, New York
DiedAugust 14, 2018(2018-08-14) (aged 31)
Burbank, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationActress, director, writer, Producer
Years active2009–2018
Websitemelahudson.com

Personal life

Hudson was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York to Michael Marinucci Jr., and Carol Ann Dalrymple. She had a brother, Michael, who is five years older, and a twin brother, Vincent.[3] At the age of four, she belonged to the Estelle and Alfonso Performing Arts Program, and the Betty Jean Studio where she performed on stage in huge venues such as the Mid-Hudson Civic Center. She started acting at the age of eight when she was cast as the lead in her elementary school's play. She attended a private Catholic school called Holy Trinity from first grade to third grade, then finished elementary school at Brinkerhoff Elementary. She then attended Van Wyck Junior High, and then John Jay Senior High School where she continued to act on stage, as well as build sets for the productions. She graduated from high school in 2005.[4]

Progressing to motion picture, she then studied acting at Dutchess Community College where she focused her skill in multiple student films. In 2009 she was introduced to the New York Talent Club where she started to obtain professional on-set experience working in independent films, TV commercials, and music videos that were being shot locally. She has trained professionally at the John Pallotta Studio of Acting, and Jordan Bayne's Permission Playground in New York City. Hudson is most proud of learning from the Dustin Hoffman, and Kevin Spacey in their Masterclasses.

Career

Hudson starred in the multi-award winning short film, Split Costs, written and directed by Jeffrey B. Palmer. The film premiered at the 2016 Bluestocking Film Festival in Portland, Maine, where it received an Audience Choice Award.[5] Since then, the film has received 15 awards, and has 14 nominations, including Hudson's 3 wins, and 3 nominations.

Hudson directed and appeared in commercials and music videos, such as Deborah Harry's music video for "Mother".[6]

Hudson appeared in David Cross' film Hits which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2014.[7][8]

In October 2014, Hudson announced that she was creating her first animation film, Tomboy. She had written it as a short story at first, but then soon after decided to adapt it to screen.

Philanthropy

In September 2016 Hudson started volunteering her time monthly with the Play For Your Freedom[9] an organization focused on helping veterans suffering from PTSD through wellness workshops. In an interview she said, "These things have always been important to me in my life. It is important that we use our position to do good in the world."[1] Some of Hudson's charities include those devoted to fighting hunger, domestic violence, and suicide prevention.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2018 Eight Sara Lead role

short film

2018 Melancholia Becky Shackle Supporting

short film

2016 Split Costs Emma Lead role

short film

2016 Pick Me Up Jen Lead role
2014 The Sisterhood of Night Secret Sisterhood Girl
2014 Hits Juli's Friend
2013 Where Is My Golden Arm Alisha short film
2012 Men in Black 3 Downtown Hipster
2012 The Curse of Ba'al Natalie Supporting
2010 Z Day Katherine Supporting

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2018 The Coroner: I Speak for the Dead Amanda Rylie, EMT 1 Episode
2015–present Essence Cartoon Elmo / Shannon (voice) 6 Episodes
2014 Celebrity Paranormal Lockdown Herself Episode: "Madison Seminary"
2013 Blue Bloods Helpful Stranger Episodes: "Unwritten Rules"
& "The City That Never Sleeps" (uncredited)
2011–2012 I Just Want My Pants Back Bartender Episodes: "Pilot"
& "Baby Monkeys"

Producer
Year Title Notes
2018 Luz Executive Producer
2018 Eight Executive Producer, producer
2016 Rainbow Six: Plan B Producer
2015 Hybrid Vigor Associate Producer
2013 Resident Evil: Red Falls Co-Executive Producer
2013 Presence Executive Producer

Director / Screenwriter
Year Title
2018 Eight

Awards

Accolades

Hudson started to gain recognition after playing Emma in the short film, Split Costs, in which she received three awards in the categories: Award of Merit for Leading Actress at the Best Shorts Competition (September 2016),[10] Best Actress at the Women's Only Entertainment Film Festival (July 2016), and shared Best Ensemble Performance with Tori Hall, Jane Harte, and Lauren Kirby at the Stories by the River Film Festival (January 2017). She also received three nominations in the categories: Best Actress at the North American Film Awards (January 2017), Best Actress in a Short Film at the Hudson Valley International Film Festival (August 2016),[11] and a SOFIE Award for Best Actress at the Short Film Awards (December 2016). She has also won a People's Choice Award at the Coleman Awards (September 2012), out of seventy-five nominees nationwide,[12] and Best Supporting Broad at the Broad Humor Awards (July 2015).[13] and was nominated for Best Actress in Social Media at the Shorty Awards.

Year Ceremony Category Title Result
2018 Romford Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Split Costs Won [14]
2017 Stories by The River Film Festival Best Ensemble Performance Split Costs Won [15]
2016 The Short Film Awards SOFIE Award – Best Lead Actress Split Costs Nominated [16]
2016 North American Film Awards Best Actress in a Short Film Split Costs Nominated [17]
2016 Best Shorts Competition Award of Merit for Leading Actress Split Costs Won [18]
2016 Hudson Valley International Film Festival Best Actress in a Short Film Split Costs Nominated [19]
2016 Women's Only Entertainment Film Festival Best Actress Split Costs Won [20]
2015 The Broad Humor Awards Best Supporting Broad Won [1]
2015 Shorty Awards Best Actress in Social Media Nominated [1]
2012 Coleman Awards People's Choice Award Won [21]

References
  1. "Mela Hudson". IMDb. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  2. "Mela Hudson obituary". Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  3. "Mela Hudson". IMDb. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  4. "Mela Hudson". Mela Hudson. Retrieved September 5, 2015.
  5. "The Bluestocking 2016 Audience Has Spoken!". Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  6. "Mela Hudson – Other works". IMDb. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  7. Indiewire (January 10, 2014). "Sundance 2014: World Cinema Dramatic Competition". Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  8. "Hits | Director David Cross | Filmmaker Magazine". Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  9. "Play For Your Freedom".
  10. "Best Shorts Winners".
  11. "Hudson Valley International Film Festival Awards".
  12. PMAC (September 10, 2012). "Professional Models and Actors Consolidated".
  13. "Broad Humor Awards".
  14. And the Winners Are... (May 30, 2018). "The Romford Film Festival".
  15. Stories by the River (January 27, 2017). "Stories by the River".
  16. SOFIE Awards (October 1, 2016). "The Short Film Awards Nominees".
  17. North American Film Awards (November 3, 2016). "North American Film Award Winners".
  18. Best Shorts (September 23, 2016). "Best Shorts Competition Winners".
  19. HVIFF (August 31, 2016). "Hudson Valley International Film Festival".
  20. Woefilmfest. "Women's Only Entertainment Film Festival".
  21. PMAC (September 10, 2012). "Professional Models and Actors Consolidated".
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