Discover Dunwoody proudly announces Melany Hernandez as the Quarter 1 recipient of the Distinguished Production Associate Recognition Program for 2025. This quarterly initiative recognizes the valuable contributions of behind-the-scenes professionals in the film and entertainment industry. Melany’s hard work, dedication, and achievements make her a deserving recipient of this honor.

Melany’s journey began in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she grew up watching her parents build Fiesta Mexicana into a thriving business. Their determination and resilience instilled in her the belief that success comes from hard work and grit. Weekly movie nights and telenovela marathons with her family sparked her love for storytelling, planting the seeds for a future in entertainment. Initially pursuing a Business Management degree at Clemson University, she later transferred to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) to follow her true calling. "If you aren’t a little scared, then you aren’t taking a risk. The bigger the risk, the bigger the reward! Take a chance on yourself and your dreams. I did, and it has been the most fulfilling journey," she shares.

At SCAD, Melany maintained a 4.0 GPA, participated in student films, and engaged with industry professionals. Her dedication led to incredible opportunities, including a study abroad program and attending the Cannes Film Festival under the guidance of Chris Donahue. These experiences expanded her understanding of global cinema and strengthened her ambition to make a lasting impact.

Professionally, Melany has built an impressive resume. She began as a Programming Intern for the Savannah Film Festival, evaluating films and contributing to the selection process. She then transitioned to Global Allied Marketing, where she analyzed screenings and authored reports for distributors such as A24, Amazon MGM Studios, Warner Brothers Pictures, Focus Features, and Paramount. From there, she worked as a Locations Production Assistant for a Warner Brothers television series before joining LifeOutLoud Productions. More recently, she assisted the location production team for the second season of “Peacemaker” through Entertainment Partners, even earning a feature on James Gunn’s Instagram—a thrilling highlight in her career. Now, she has joined Telemundo at NBC Universal in Miami, a full-circle moment given that Telemundo was a staple in her household growing up. Her diverse experience has given her valuable insight into both marketing and production within the entertainment industry.

Beyond her industry experience, Melany founded ChapChap Entertainment LLC, inspired by her parents’ work ethic and the legacy of Charlie Chaplin. Her vision is to grow ChapChap Entertainment while pursuing a career as a talent manager. She has also contributed to post-production and distribution of multiple projects, including SCAD MFA Thesis films and Senior Capstone projects.

Looking ahead, Melany aspires to work at a talent agency, a major entertainment corporation, or even in event planning. One of her biggest dreams is to work at DreamWorks, a company that holds deep sentimental value for her family. She also emphasizes the importance of supporting cinema. "For anyone who appreciates the art of filmmaking, I strongly encourage you to support cinema by experiencing movies in a theater. The experience provided by movie theaters cannot be replicated, and your support as a consumer is crucial for the industry!" she says.

Discover Dunwoody is honored to recognize Melany Hernandez as she embarks on what promises to be a bright future in the world of film and television. Her passion and dedication have already set her apart, and we look forward to watching her career continue to grow.

For more information about Discover Dunwoody and to nominate yourself or someone you know for the recognition program, please visit WWW.DISCOVERDUNWOODY.COM/NOMINATION-FORM/