ABOUT | Melanie Backer

Melanie Backer has extensive experience as a film and television development executive and producer. Additionally, she manages several writers, directors and actors, including writer Cary Bickley, writer/actor Maddalena Ischiale, actor E.R. Ruiz, and director Lisa Demaine. She is developing the TV projects ELLIE PUTNAM (with Cary Bickley), which sold to ABC Studios, and SOLE ROSSO (with Maddalena Ischiale), which has been optioned by Red Arrow Studios International.

Most recently, Melanie developed and executive produced the TV pilot, HOT BREAK (aka inAppropriate) with director Lisa Demaine and writer Cary Bickley, starring Rene Ashton and Ethan Peck. HOT BREAK is a timely comedy, showcasing the challenges that women face in the workforce, particularly Hollywood.

Melanie's work in independent cinema has garnered her awards at Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, and Toronto International Film Festival. Most notably, she developed and produced SWIMMERS, which premiered at Sundance and participated in the Sundance Lab. The film starred Cherry Jones, Sarah Paulson and Shawn Hatosy. Additionally, Melanie co-produced PUMPKIN, (starring Christina Ricci), as well as THE AMATI GIRLS.

Prior to producing independent cinema and TV, Melanie worked as Story Editor at New Line Cinema and VP of Production and Development for Glenn Gordon Caron. She also worked as the Head of Development and Production at Gartner, developing feature film and TV materials for commercial directors Ted Melfi, James Gartner, Dan Trachtenberg, Jörn Threlfall, and James Rouse.

Additionally, through her work as a producer’s representative she has gained long-standing relationships with producers, directors, writers, actors, agents, distributors, studios, and sales companies particularly in the independent film and television industry.

Melanie received her BA from UCLA cum laude, and her MFA from USC. She has acted on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Television and National Tours. Melanie currently resides and rides bikes in Santa Monica.

At the Toronto International Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival, Melanie producer - repped Justin Lin's first film SHOPPING FOR FANGS, LOVE AND ACTION IN CHICAGO, and THE OPPORTUNISTS, KAATERSKILL FALLS and VIRGIN, among many others.

As an Executive Producer, Melanie has worked on the feature films ABOUT FIFTY and MOJADO. ABOUT FIFTY was acquired by Screen Media and opened at both the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival, as well as the Palm Springs International Film Festival. MOJADO was acquired by Arte.

Melanie has worked extensively in development; some of her most noteworthy projects include working with Kelly Reichardt, Sarah Green, Meg LeFauve and Jodie Foster on THE ROYAL COURT, and developed the feature films ST. VINCENT (with Writer/Director Ted Melfi), THE GORDONS AT THE END OF THE WORLD (being produced with Fred Roos), and I AM ROSE FATOU (a comedy written by Ted Melfi).