MELISSACOSTELLO.COM

Outstanding video content for nonprofit and for-profit businesses and their clients
created by filmmakers who are uniquely and equally adept at both writing and production.
See and hear the difference.

CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Reveries & Passions Festival
Concept/Writer/Designer
Promotional video for a brilliant music festival shown on the web and displayed in the lobby at Orchestra Hall. svg-play-button-icon-1

EVANSTON HISTORY CENTER
Meditation on Dawes House
Concept/Writer/Director
A quiet look at the National Historic Landmark and home of Evanston History Center.
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LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF ART
Digital Advent Calendar
Concept/Writer/Designer/Director
24 one-minute videos; a tie-in with a video of a popular exhibit to amortize the cost of production and delight members.
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Catholic Charities USA needed a very inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime video for our Centennial. Melissa Costello was simply perfect for the job—exceeding expectations in every way. This is a filmmaker who not only makes a great product but is a sheer joy to work with. Her subjects and her crew love her—and the client jumps for joy.

Roger Conner | Senior Director, Communications | Catholic Charities USA

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF ART
Collecting the Creche
Concept/Writer/Designer/Director
A Video Profile of a popular international collection and the collector who generously donated it to the museum. svg-play-button-icon-1

OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT
Friendship
Director/Art Director
One of many national tv commercials directed for David Axelrod featuring then-Senator Obama and his family.
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CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Turangalila
Concept/Writer/Designer
Promotional video, shown on the web and displayed in the lobby at Orchestra Hall, exploring the epic symphony by Messiaen. svg-play-button-icon-1

Melissa Costello was an outstanding creative consultant helping our museum develop an online exhibition and film to highlight our International Creche Collection. Her ability to create engaging (marketing) products using a fine art collection allowed the Loyola University Museum of Art to extend its reach to new audiences. Bravo Melissa!

Pam Ambrose | Director of Cultural Affairs | Loyola University Museum of Art

NORTH MISSISSIPPI MEDICAL CENTER
Mona
Director
An interview-based tv commercial featuring a young cancer survivor on her family’s farm in Mississippi as she speaks for the first time of her ordeal. svg-play-button-icon-1

EMANUEL FOR MAYOR
Chicago’s Future, aka The Sweater Spot
Director
A tv commercial featuring Mayor Emanuel in an 11th hour fight to retain office. Directed for David Axelrod’s former company. svg-play-button-icon-1

HOUSEHOLD FINANCE
With the Help of HFC
Director
An interview-based tv commercial testimonial starring an irrepressible subject in her Milwaukee home. Directed for David Axelrod. svg-play-button-icon-1

Whether it’s larger than life characters or down-to-earth naturalism, Melissa is a genius at bringing the best out of on-camera talent.

TJ Cimfel | Vice President, Group Creative Director | Discovery USA

In response to the needs of our clients,
we’ve developed VIDEO PROFILES+

Short, smart brand videos that tell your essential story and help you capture a larger share of internet traffic and business. Two VIDEO PROFILES are embedded in the websites below. For more, visit videoprofilesplus.com.

REALTY SCIENTISTS
Evan Kane On Realty Science
Writer/Director
A Video Profile for a North Shore realtor’s website explaining his unique approach with happy clients endorsing the science. svg-play-button-icon-1

LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL
No Potato Left Behind
Writer/Director
A documentary-style short on how the building of a community garden built a community in Whitefish, Montana. svg-play-button-icon-1

BRANNICK CLINIC
Most Powerful Primary Care Medicine
Writer/Director
A Video Profile for a naturopathic clinic succinctly explaining what distinguishes its practice from traditional medical practices. svg-play-button-icon-1

Melissa has a rare knack for infusing heart and soul into her finished product and for making the complex easy to understand and compelling. She delivered a powerful video that captured the emotion that is deeply embedded in the work we do every day.

Sally Benjamin Young | Vice President, Public Affairs | Lundbeck, Inc.

Video Communications specialist Melissa Costello is a writer, designer, and filmmaker who consistently lifts her clients’ profiles through the development of videos that impact people’s businesses and people’s lives. Costello has been awarded both domestic and international honors for the work she has produced through her companies in Chicago and Los Angeles, and in collaboration with former political media consultant, David Axelrod.

Working with Melissa Costello was a fantastic experience. Not only is she a talented filmmaker, she is a wonderful storyteller, and she even reads minds! Melissa was able to help us tell our story with words and images that I didn’t even know we needed to include. It was magical! I highly recommend working with Melissa.

Eden Juron Pearlman | Executive Director | Evanston History Center

Simply put, Melissa knows storytelling. She has a strong vision. Having worked with her on several occasions, I can say that Melissa always brings a fresh perspective to projects and ultimately elevates the work to truly engage and inform the audience. Plus, she’s a joy to work with.

John Newton | Senior Medical Writer | Precision for Value, Chicago

From the moment we started working together, Melissa was a true partner. Her work gave us a powerful way to convey our emotional message.

Mary Patrick | Managing Partner | Jasculca Terman

More happy clients include Chicago Symphony Orchestra, CNA Insurance, Astellas Pharma US, the Uniform Law Commission, Lions Clubs International, McKinsey & Company, AFL-CIO, ComEd, P&G, State Farm Insurance, Kimberly-Clark, as well as Mayor Rahm Emanuel and President Obama.