Meet the Staff AbrockModerator Melissa, or Mel, began feeling symptoms of GALS in late December of 2004, when she saw the film The Phantom of the Opera for the first time on screen, which led her to search out the man behind the mask…and she hasn’t looked back since. She proudly shares this syndrome with her older sister, Marcie (Mousie). In March of 2005, Mel and Marcie drove to Los Angeles to see the independent Scottish film Dear Frankie, and to this day is Mel’s all-time favorite film. She has a goal to spread this superior piece of cinema as far and wide as possible, so that everyone possible may enjoy it, and to prove that filmmakers still have the ability to create amazing art without adhering to Hollywood stigmas.  Mel continued to search out Gerry’s films, studying his various roles and learning more about the actor himself through written and taped interviews. She was surprised, but very pleased, to find such a talented, handsome, witty, passionate, broody and intelligent man, born and raised in Scotland no less, ingrained in the film profession, and without the usual “movie star” attitude. Searching online forums, she happily found many other dedicated fans who understood her admiration, making all sorts of new friends, and even more so as GALS was created and grew. Mel was born and raised among the Rocky Mountains, instilling in her a love for the outdoors and wilderness. She has ancestry all along the British Isles, specifically in Scotland and Wales, and also good dose of Switzerland in her blood. Early in life she discovered the performing arts and embarked on that journey through acting and singing…but not so much dancing. Recently, she’s been much more content to be off the stage to work behind the scenes. She’s currently pursuing a degree in Theatre Arts Studies while working in on-air promotions for a broadcasting company.  Her current favorite hobbies are writing and video-editing, the latter a recent development in the last year and a half. It was this ability that enabled her to meet Mr. Gerry Butler, as she won the Butler Award for best fan video Anything but Ordinary, at the first annual Gerard Butler Fan Convention, for any and all fans, hosted by GALS in Vegas, June 9-10, 2006, where Gerry presented her the award in person. As Mel states, she never thought she would be one to indulge in multimedia editing and the like, but now looks to such as possible career opportunities. Mel was already a dedicated, life-long fan of Gerry’s, but after the Vegas convention, she swears it’s grown and solidified even more so. It was in Vegas where the correct pronunciation of Mel’s screen name “Abrock” was finalized when Gerry pronounced it “A-brock,” or rather “A-brrrrrrock” with his Scottish brogue. Mel also enjoys listening to and collecting all sorts of music, claiming it as her favorite type of poetry. She’s an avid theatre and film patron, especially whenever her student salary funds allow such. She has two young nephews and one baby niece that she loves to dote on. She is also blessed with wonderful family members who support her and Marcie in their GALS. Her many thanks to Gerry and the FANmily for helping her see more of the woman she is, and the woman she wants to become through life’s journeys. |
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