Melissa Houghton ’81 spent over 20 years of her career as executive director of Women in Film and Video, a global organization with close to 900 members dedicated to helping women succeed in the world of film through programs and sponsorships. As a media studies student with a particular interest in film, I was intrigued by Melissa’s story, from history major to a media arts career, especially her role with Women in Film and Video. We discussed how Melissa’s experience at Beloit College gave her tools to practice creativity on the job, looking at projects from every angle.

How did you hear about Beloit? What made you decide to apply?

I probably got some random information in the mail. I went to visit the school and my entire family was with me, weirdly in ties and dresses. It was the first warm day on campus, so most people were wearing raggedy shorts or whatever. Beloit College was a good size for me, it felt very familiar. I think what ultimately made my decision to apply was we got great follow-up from faculty and students which continued throughout my experience. For example, when I got sick at the end of the first semester and couldn’t return in January, other people packed my room for me. Faculty followed up again, and I was in touch with students. It was a no-brainer to go back the following fall.

Were there any courses or professors that were particularly helpful in figuring out the path you wanted to take after graduating?

Definitely Robert Irrmann, my history professor. Bob Hodge was great. Roxie Alexander, I still remember a lot of things she said in her English class. Overall, just the accessibility of the faculty was amazing. The professors were fascinating people. They were challenging, but also supportive. Beloit College became a very interesting space to be in, stimulating and comforting at the same time.

What did you do after graduation leading up to your work with Women in Film and Video?

I ended up back home in Pennsylvania. I worked for lawyers and then I became a history teacher, teaching ninth and twelfth grade at a Catholic school for about a year and a half. I moved to Boston and became a paralegal at a law firm for three or four years before I went to graduate school at the University of Virginia in Urban Design and Historic Preservation. I graduated in 1989, and I started working for the American Architectural Foundation — I started as an unpaid intern and left about 14 years later, having been the interim director for about 15 months. From there I did some consulting with historic houses and museums. While I was at the American Architectural Foundation, there was a major live event and we had to create tribute videos and stuff like that. That’s where I first met some people who were involved with Women in Film and Video. I was hiring them.

After I left the foundation, an executive director position opened with Women in Film. The good news was I had several years of nonprofit management experience, which the organization really needed. I also understood how films went together, and I had successfully worked with public television stations across the country and made community events happen. So I understood how distribution worked. I was going to be here for five years, and I think I’ve just started my 22nd.

Beloit College encourages exploration across disciplines. How does this structure benefit your work with Women in Film and Video?

When somebody comes up with a documentary idea, I ask them, “What research and resources are you using?” Then, I help them look at it from different angles, figuring out where the audience is, and how we can work with other groups to promote it. Surviving as a nonprofit, you’ve got to get creative. I like creativity that leads to somebody being able to accomplish what they want to accomplish. I don’t have a movie I feel I need to make, but I love helping somebody else make theirs and bringing those resources together. It’s a lot of nurturing those careers and giving them space. In the work I’m doing now, and the work I’ve done since graduate school, I can make connections nobody else is making. Multi-disciplinary education is really important to what I do.

Do you have any advice for current Beloit students who are thinking about pursuing a career in either film or the world of media arts in general?

If you want to make films, watch things, find out what you like, find out what you don’t like. But almost nobody can get a film funded unless they have something to show that they can do it. You all have 4K cameras in your back pocket, literally on your phone. You don’t have to carry around clunky equipment. You don’t have to make those investments. Play around with it, start to think about it. I think staying curious and creative is important. You were allowed to be curious at Beloit. You could ask a wacky question at 10:00 p.m. So I think the advice is to find somebody to talk with about it and find your tribe and make something. Write a story that somebody else is interested in. Most of us don’t grow up being told to go into the arts. Or, why don’t you become an independent filmmaker? But it’s useful. If there wasn’t art in the world, I think we’d all be in a worse place.