"Melinda is an established Set Decorator/Art Director with over 20 years of experience in the film

industry. She completed a four-year degree with several distinctions in B-Tech Performing Arts

Technology at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa. Melinda was introduced to

the international market under the guidance of Production Designer Johnny Breedt in 2002, with

opportunities to work on films such as ‘Duma’ (Warner Bros) by Carroll Ballard, ‘Hotel Rwanda’

(United Artists) by Terry George, and “Red Water” (Sony Columbia) by Charles Robert Carner. Her

debut as a Set Decorator was in 2004 and her list of Set Decorating credits includes a multitude of local

and international films, such as Phillip Noyce’s “Catch a Fire” (Universal Pictures), nominated for a

(SAFTA) in Production Design; “Primeval” (Buena Vista) and Wes Craven’s remake of “The Last House

On The Left” (Rogue Films/Universal Pictures). She also decorated “The Breed” (Firebird Films), “Death

Race 2” (Universal Pictures), Anthony Minghella’s “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” series for HBO,

BBC, and HWC, the biopic “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom,” produced by Anant Singh (VideoVision)

and directed by Justin Chadwick, which was awarded a SAFTA for “Best Production Design” of a

Feature Film. Other Set Decorating credits include ‘Machine Gun Preacher’ (Lionsgate/ Relativity

Media) by Marc Foster, ‘Safehouse’ (Universal) starring Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds by

Daniel Espinosa, ‘Labyrinth’ (Scott Free) by Christopher Smith, ‘Kite’ (Compass Films) by Ralph Ziman,

Philippe Falardeau’s ‘The Good Lie’ (Black Media), Sacha Baron-Cohen’s ‘Grimsby,’ directed by Louis

Leterrier for Sony Pictures Entertainment, Mira Nair’s multi-award-winning ‘Queen of Katwe’ (Disney),

as well as the Remake of the 1977 ‘Roots’ (The Wolper Organization and Will Packer Productions) by

Phillip Noyce for The History Channel, ‘The Last Days of American Crime’ (Netflix) by Olivier Megaton,

and ‘Redeeming Love’ by DJ Caruso for Universal Pictures. Melinda has also Art Directed various

productions, including TV Series such as ‘Of Kings and Prophets’ for Disney/ABC, ‘The Widow’ (ITV,

Two Brothers Pictures), and ‘The Singapore Grip’ for ITV shot in Malaysia. In 2021, Melinda became a

mom and currently lives and works between Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa."

"I believe that when creative insights from various sources come together, they weave

the tapestry of the most vibrant and realistic worlds. Collaboration among artists is a

breeding ground for flourishing creativity, fuelled by passion and dedication when their

craft is acknowledged. Personally, I find it crucial to blend the artistic sensibilities of my

team members with my own, respecting and delicately merging our perspectives to craft

the most imaginative realms. My appetite leans towards political and historical drama, as

well as real-life stories. Each project becomes a unique journey, offering opportunities for

discovery and education in diverse locations, cultures, histories, and the essence of

human nature. This feeds my enthusiastic spirit for every new endeavour. I am deeply

passionate about capturing the subtle nuances within the spaces that envelop characters,

providing glimpses into the intricacies of their worlds and the vulnerabilities of their

stories. It's a true blessing to spend each day either learning about or envisioning and

constructing worlds that speak volumes without uttering a word. As a versatile

filmmaker and artist, my interests span across various forms of art and performing arts,

with a particular keenness for music.

Melinda Zerva-Launspach