Melissa's super powers include telling big stories in little packages, using humor to tackle hard topics, and delivering strong cuts at lightning speed. Melissa loves editing small films that tell big stories. She’s especially drawn to challenging projects that – despite imperfect footage or unexpected plot lines – shine a light on today's most pressing issues through humor and heartfelt characters. She's edited award-winning documentaries, as well as working on advocacy, fundraising and short social videos for orgs like Greenpeace, the National Women's Law Center, Ipas, Edutopia/The George Lucas Educational Foundation, and the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Melissa Thompson

PRO

Melissa's super powers include telling big stories in little packages, using humor to tackle hard topics, and delivering strong cuts at lightning speed. Melissa loves editing small films that tell big stories. She’s especially drawn to challenging projects that – despite imperfect footage or unexpected plot lines – shine a light on today's most pressing issues through humor and heartfelt characters. She's edited award-winning documentaries, as well as working on advocacy, fundraising and short social videos for orgs like Greenpeace, the National Women's Law Center, Ipas, Edutopia/The George Lucas Educational Foundation, and the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Available to hire

Melissa’s super powers include telling big stories in little packages, using humor to tackle hard topics, and delivering strong cuts at lightning speed.

Melissa loves editing small films that tell big stories. She’s especially drawn to challenging projects that – despite imperfect footage or unexpected plot lines – shine a light on today’s most pressing issues through humor and heartfelt characters. She’s edited award-winning documentaries, as well as working on advocacy, fundraising and short social videos for orgs like Greenpeace, the National Women’s Law Center, Ipas, Edutopia/The George Lucas Educational Foundation, and the Pew Charitable Trusts.

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Work Experience

Contract Video Editor at The Pew Charitable Trusts
November 28, 2024 - July 7, 2025
Edit multimedia content (explainer videos, socially-optimized video, podcast extras and short-form documentaries) to further Pew’s communications goals.
Senior Video Editor at Edutopia - George Lucas Educational Foundation
February 1, 2016 - May 1, 2024
Edited short documentary and unscripted content for leading educational website and its social media platforms. Edited videos documenting 'what works in K-12 education' promoting stellar schools, teachers and practices. Researched, pitched and produced animations. Developed content for social media formats. Wrote narration scripts and social copy. Implemented and updated best practice protocols for internal and external video contributors.
Senior Video Producer/Editor at Greenpeace US and Greenpeace International
December 30, 2008 - January 29, 2016
Shot, produced, and edited videos in a fast-paced news-driven environment. Edited and distributed VNRs to international broadcasters about breaking environmental issues. Pitched and produced creative and humorous videos about environmental issues, including the 'Postcards from Climate Change' series. Created archiving system for footage and deliverables. Contracted crew around the US and internationally.
Freelance Video Editor at Melissa Thompson Edits
June 30, 2010 - Present
Edit documentaries as well as non-fiction content for non-profits and advocacy groups. Clients have included: The Pew Charitable Trusts, Edutopia/The George Lucas Educational Foundation, Greenpeace and Greenpeace International, The National Women's Law Center, Ipas, Brick City TV, and KPBS

Education

MFA Film at Temple University
January 1, 0000 - December 31, 0000
BA at Oberlin College
January 1, 0000 - December 31, 0000

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Non-Profit Organization, Education, Media & Entertainment
    paper Pew Environment: Preventing Plastic Pollution

    Plastics expose us to 16,000+ chemicals every single day—at least a quarter of which are hazardous to human and environmental health.

    And for communities living near plastic production sites, the risks are even worse.

    paper Celebrating What Works in Education (George Lucas Educational Foundation Anniversary video)

    At the George Lucas Educational Foundation, we’ve spent more than 30 years identifying amazing schools and passionate educators, and bringing their practices to the wider public. We’ve been pinpointing evidence-based strategies that move education forward. We’ve been embracing the new, the promising, and putting it to the test.

    paper She Got Balls! (documentary excerpt)

    A South Philly meatball contest turns controversial when a rumor starts that Top Chef alum Jen Zavala’s vegan entry has won first prize. Sometimes a meatball is not just a meatball.

    paper Edutopia: Giving Students the Skills to Spot Fake News

    By learning how to deconstruct news stories and identify media bias, students equip themselves to become smarter digital consumers.

    paper Dash, Age 92, Snowboarder

    In this poetic microdocumentary, shot on expired 16mm film, an aging snowboarder reflects on his relationship with the mountain.

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