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I am a storyteller, filmmaker, and educator with more than 20 years of college-level teaching experience in film, media arts, and digital production. I specialize in animation and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects, with a focus on project-based learning and AI-assisted filmmaking. Beyond the classroom, I create and perform as a filmmaker and live storyteller at festivals, schools, and public venues. I lead creative projects that combine storytelling, design, and technology to engage audiences and learners alike.…I am a storyteller, filmmaker, and educator with more than 20 years of college-level teaching experience in film, media arts, and digital production. I specialize in animation and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects, with a focus on project-based learning and AI-assisted filmmaking. Beyond the classroom, I create and perform as a filmmaker and live storyteller at festivals, schools, and public venues. I lead creative projects that combine storytelling, design, and technology to engage audiences and learners alike.

Vance L. Mellen

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I am a storyteller, filmmaker, and educator with more than 20 years of college-level teaching experience in film, media arts, and digital production. I specialize in animation and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects, with a focus on project-based learning and AI-assisted filmmaking. Beyond the classroom, I create and perform as a filmmaker and live storyteller at festivals, schools, and public venues. I lead creative projects that combine storytelling, design, and technology to engage audiences and learners alike.…I am a storyteller, filmmaker, and educator with more than 20 years of college-level teaching experience in film, media arts, and digital production. I specialize in animation and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects, with a focus on project-based learning and AI-assisted filmmaking. Beyond the classroom, I create and perform as a filmmaker and live storyteller at festivals, schools, and public venues. I lead creative projects that combine storytelling, design, and technology to engage audiences and learners alike.

Available to hire

I am a storyteller, filmmaker, and educator with more than 20 years of college-level teaching experience in film, media arts, and digital production. I specialize in animation and motion graphics using Adobe After Effects, with a focus on project-based learning and AI-assisted filmmaking.

Beyond the classroom, I create and perform as a filmmaker and live storyteller at festivals, schools, and public venues. I lead creative projects that combine storytelling, design, and technology to engage audiences and learners alike.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Beginner

Language

English

Fluent

Work Experience

7th Grade English Teacher at Clark County School District

January 1, 2024 - Present

Teach middle school English and integrate storytelling, writing, and media literacy into instruction

Instructor at Nevada State University

January 1, 2022 - Present

Teach senior-level courses in screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and advanced After Effects animation; guide capstone film and motion graphics projects and portfolio development; capable of teaching CTE pathways in Digital Media, Animation, and Film Production

Adjunct Instructor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas

January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023

Courses in animation, motion graphics, film history, and digital cinema with emphasis on After Effects workflows

Adjunct Instructor at College of Lake County

January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2024

Taught video production, animation, After Effects, and digital design (online and in-person)

Full-Time Instructor at American Academy of Art

January 1, 1998 - January 1, 2005

Developed and designed graduate and undergraduate curriculum in film, media, and animation

Owner / Creative Director at Mellenhead Productions

January 1, 2003 - Present

Produced 650+ videos with 2.7M+ views; specialized in editing, animation, and motion graphics using After Effects; incorporating AI tools for video production, animation workflows, and creative ideation; clients include Dell, LinkedIn, Kashi, and Yaskawa Robotics

Filmmaker & Screenwriter at Self-employed / Mellenhead Productions

January 1, 2003 - Present

Executive Producer & Screenwriter for Just Let Go; award-winning short SPUDS; additional works As You Like It, Screatures; Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Grant Recipient (Film Development); works screened at international festivals and academic exhibitions

Content Creator at YouTube

January 1, 2008 - Present

650+ videos, 2.7M+ views, 6,000+ subscribers; produce animation, tutorials, and storytelling content using After Effects and AI tools