Melanie Hattori

Drawn to all things vibrant and lively, Melanie loves creating content that demands your attention. 

Melanie Hattori is a Los Angeles–based editor and director with a strong focus on narrative structure, emotional storytelling, and clean, intentional visual rhythm. She holds an MFA in Film and Television Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she concentrated in editing and directing.

Melanie has worked across a wide range of media—including trailers, branded content, launch campaigns, and behind-the-scenes features—for companies such as Riot Games, Jubilee Media, and Wild Card Creative Group. Through these collaborations, her work has supported high-profile projects for Netflix, A24, Amazon Studios, and Apple. Her editorial approach is rooted in clarity, precision, and character-driven storytelling, with a strong instinct for pacing and structure.

Whether crafting an intimate narrative or shaping a large-scale campaign, her background as a director informs her editorial work, allowing her to shape performances, elevate tone, and guide stories with nuance and intention.

Outside the editing bay, Melanie continues to develop her own narrative projects and short films. She’s also convinced that had film not found it’s way into her life, should would have been a jazz musician.

2018 Cinematografo Originals Grant Winner

2019-2020 USC Annenberg Fellow

2020 MPI Mindful Editor Fellow

2021 VC Armed with a Camera Fellow

2023 Editing Mentor for the Ghetto Film School