“I truly feel like I’ve found a buried treasure of inspiration, tenacity, raw ambition and pearls of wisdom after unearthing the opportunity to speak to Meeshelle Neal. She is a book author, an award-winning screenwriter, director and producer.” Darren Wiesner, Hollywood North Magazine
Meeshelle ‘Meesh’ Neal is an award-winning queer Canadian filmmaker currently directing a feature-length movie with CME & Reel One.
“[Meesh] has shattered the glass ceiling by being the first writer to have two projects accepted into the [Whistler] Producers Lab.” Darren Wiesner
She won Best Female Filmmaker for her work on Sweet Release in the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival where the short also took home Best LGBTQ Film. She awarded Best Director for Where Everyone Lives in the Berlin Indie Film Festival and is currently nominated for: Best Movie Director – North America, Best Movie Director – Canada, and Best Film – LGBTQ.
“Her ability to strike when the iron is hot is something Meeshelle does before lunch. I’m still looking for my missing sock and she’s already written the next best chapter!” Darren Wiesner
Following on the heels of the concept short under the same title, Meeshelle is in development on her feature film Sweet Release. This full-length magical realism story is being brought to life with the help of the WIDC CBC Films Talent Development Award and the Whistler Producers Lab. The script has received funding and was shortlisted for the Sundance Development Track. Heidi Lasi of Pelee Entertainment is attached as the producer.
She adapted Mental to the screen from a one-woman stage play. The film received BravoFACT funding as well as multiple awards, international recognition, and co-earned her a WIFTV Spotlight Image Award.
Meeshelle is proud to have served a full term on the board for Women in Film & Television Vancouver and to have been one of the mentors in Cinevic’s inaugural training program The Incubators. She has sat on many jury’s including the WIDC Feature Film Award, East Van Monologue Match, CINESPARK Script Competition & Directing Change Canada. She is often hired to write for film & TV, story edit, career consult, pitch coach** and has ghost written mulitple novels with Hanai Publishing.
“I cannot say enough great things about this Canadian jewel and her contributions to film and television.” Darren Wiesner
She is mentored by the well-respected director / producer Gary Harvey and is grateful to have apprenticed with him on three projects, working closely with him from prep through to post on: Hudson & Rex (CityTV), Welcome To Christmas (Hallmark) & Tiny Pretty Things (Netflix).
As part of her professional development, Meeshelle participated in workshops such as the: STORYHIVE Career Accelerator Program, Women In the Director’s Chair (WIDC) Career Advancement Module, the immersive Story and Leadership program and Whistler Producers Lab. As well, she received funding from the Ontario Arts Council to sharpen her artistic skills.
In addition to working in film, Meeshelle is an author and has published the Betwixt trilogy. She was a recipient of the Amy Ferris Fellowship award for her novel, Betwixt: The Call of the Void (now available as an audio book). She is currently in development on an adaptation of the books into a feature film with the help of the Whistler Producers Lab. Alexandra Caulfield of Alley Rock Films and Veronika Kurz of Paperbag Productions are attached as producers.
“Whoa,” says Amy Ferris about Betwixt: The Call of the Void, “This piece did me in. Did. Me. In. Stunning. Just stunning.”
Meesh enjoys telling heightened reality stories that remain grounded in the nuanced complexity of human emotions.
FILM and TV INQUIRIES CONTACT
Anna Archer
Literary Agent, Lucas Talent
#6-1238 Homer Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B2Y5
604-685-0345 X 230 anna.archer@lucastalent.com
Social Media
Twitter: @MeeshNeal
Facebook: @MeeshyNeal
Instagram: @MeeshelleNeal
**TESTIMONIAL from Nick Rees, “After learning that my creative team and I were invited to pitch to Netflix I sought coaching from Meeshelle Neal. The time was hyper well spent, and she was entirely flexible with our situation and made the best of the sessions we had together. She not only gave us extremely practical advice on preparation but then conducted practice sessions with feedback. This was well worth any cost, and was in fact, priceless as we nailed the pitch interview, and were prepared for each and every question we faced. If anyone is in a similar position pitching to a developer, I highly recommend engaging with her.”
***
Media & Interviews:
Talent on Tap – Meeshelle Neal Directs Her Projects to the Whistler Producers Lab
Have a Little Insight Podcast: Coping with Anxiety
WIDC CBC Films Talent Development Award
YVR Screen Scene Podcast Episode Forty-Four: Meeshelle Neal
Spotlight Interview w/ Ms. In The Biz
Eight Women Director’s Selected for WIDC Story & Leadership
Four Directors Selected for WIDC Career Advancement Module
From a blog post (originally on M&J) re-posted on Ms. In The Biz
Meesh’s past blog posts can be found on the M&J website. The posts that end with ~M were written by her (with input from Jax) and visa versa the ones ending in ~J were written by Jax (with input from Meesh). Together they were co-heads of Creative Services for JBA.
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