Prof. Menendez was honored as Outstanding Graduate of the year at the University of Puget Sound in 1985, and received his M.F.A. in Film and Video at California Institute of the Arts in 1989. At Cal Arts Prof. Menendez was a teaching assistant for three years to the Oscar nominated British filmmaker Alexander Mackendrick who also served as his mentor in his training as a film director.
In 2001 was selected for the Showtime Latino Filmmaker with his film Medio Tiempo. His next feature-length Primo allowed him to explore the new world of High Definition workflows, and gave the opportunity to film department students to work on all aspects of the cutting edge pre-production, production and post-production.
Prof. Menendez began making movies at the age of nine in his native country of El Salvador. In the Spring of 1984 he took a break from his undergraduate work and returned to
After Cal Arts, Prof. Menendez continued to direct films and videos, and decided to work out of an academic setting so that he could develop his own personal projects. Before moving to Las Vegas he worked as a casting associate for Pagano/Bialy Casting, and ran their office on the 20th Century Fox lot. He also served as Assistant Editor to Kris Malkiewicz for the revised edition of the book Cinematography.
At UNLV he teaches advanced courses in screenwriting, directing, and Avid non-linear editing. His areas of research are narrative theory, new technologies and the restoration of Central American films. In Spring 2000 he was awarded the Rita Deanin Abbey Teacher of the Year. He was also honored by the Entertainment Development Corporation as a trustee. This recognition was for his commitment to education and his involvement in film production in the state of Nevada.
SCREENINGS, READINGS, RESTORATIONS:
Primo – co-writer/Director/co-editor – High Definition Feature – in progress
Episode 57: The Adventures of Captain Bob and Sparky – Writer/Director/Editor – Machinima Short.
Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival,
Episode 28: The Adventures of Captain Bob and Sparky - Director/Editor – Machinima Short.
Screened at the Sixtieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 2006.
Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival,
Showcased at the 48 hr Film Competition UNLV, November 2005.
Two Arabian Knights (1927), The Racket (1928), The Mating Call (1928) – Restorer
Screened at the XXXIV Mostra Internazionale del Cinema Libero, IL CINEMA RITROVATO, 19th edition, Saturday July 2nd - Saturday July 9th 2005.
Completed the test transfer from 35mm to DV, and evaluated the condition of the prints in collaboration with Jeff Massino from Flicker Alley Films. These three “lost” Howard Hughes classics were digitally restored in Los Angeles and aired nationally Turner Classic Movies, December 2004.
Brave and Stupid: Game Over - Director/Editor – DV Short.
Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival,
Showcased at the 48 hr Film Competition UNLV, November 2004.
Hip’s a Problem - director/editor – DV Short.
Screened at APES,
Screened at the CineVegas Film Festival, June 2004.
Screened at the 48 hr Film Competition Edinburgh Film Festival,
August 2003.
Bath Time - director/editor – 16mm Film Short.
Screened at the Palisades Film Festival, May 2004.
Screened at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, August 2003.
Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival,
Medio Tiempo - writer/director/editor – 16mm Film Short.
Screening Ibero-American Film Festival, Boston, MA, July 2005
Latino Filmmaker's Showcase - Showtime Networks,
Screened at CineVegas International Film Festival,
Screened at Latino Youth Conference, Las Vegas, July 2001; the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, July 2001; the Fifty-fifth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Eastman Kodak Rochester, NY, August 2001, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2001; The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, Big Bear, CA, September 2001.
The Spaghetti Kid - director/editor - Digital Film Short.
Screened at the Fifty-third Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Emerson University, Boston, MA, August 1999,
and the
American Souffle - writer - Feature-Length Screenplay.
Screenplay read at the Fifty-third Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association,
SFLA News - editor/camera/director - Digital Video sequences.
Screened in the production of Los Angeles Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar,
The Strange Marriage of Samuel Baskin - editor/director - Digital Film Short.
Screened at the Fifty-first Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Wisconsin, Osh Kosh, WI,
August 1997, and the
Hey Little Girl - editor/camera/director - Digital Video short.
Screened in the production of Los Angeles Shakespeare’s The Tempest,
Backstage - writer/director - Feature-Length Film.
Selected and screened at the Slamdance Film Market, Slamdance Film Festival, Park City, UT, January 1996.
Screened at the Forty-seventh Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Temple University, August 1993, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2000.
Safety In Numbers - writer/director - Film short.
Screened at the Fiftieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 1996; Salvadoran Ministry of Culture, San Salvador, May 1993; Writer's Guild Theater, Los Angeles, CA, May 1992.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND OFFICES HELD:
Chair, Papers and Panels, University Film Video Association, 2004 – 2006.
President of the Jury, Certamen Nacional de Cine y Video, San Salvador, El Salvador, May 2006.
Board Member, University Film Video Association, 2004 – 2006.
Advisory Board Member, CineVegas, International Film Festival 2001-
Director, Professional Film Crew Training Program, UNLV, 1999-
Board Member, CineVegas, International Film Festival, 1999-2001.
Ex-officio Board Member, Entertainment Development Corporation, 1998-2003.
Director, SCRIPT, Screenwriting arm of the University Film and Video Association, 1995-99. Board Member since 1993.
Chair, Media Writing Section, Fifty-first Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, WI, August 1997.
Chair, Media Writing Section, Fiftieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 1996.
Chair, Rediscovering Latin Cinema Section: Fifteenth Annual
PUBLICATIONS:
“Battle in Scotland,”Article published in Creative Screenwriting Weekly, August 2005.
“Communities in Trouble: Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later,”Article published in Creative Screenwriting, Summer 2003.
“Loving Liza: A look into Gordy Hoffman.” Interview published in Creative Screenwriting, March/April 2002.
“The Real Pete Jones: Why He Deserved His Break.” Interview published in Creative Screenwriting, March/April 2001.
“Las Vegas of the Mind: Shooting Movies in and about Nevada.” Chapter published in Grit Beneath the Glitter, Cal Press, 2001.
“Blurring a Conservative Vision: Coppola's Transformation of Milius' Apocalypse Now.” Article published in Creative Screenwriting, Spring 2000.
“Redefining Originality: Luhrmann’s Conceptualization of Romeo and Juliet.” Article published in Creative Screenwriting, Spring 1998.
Review. Garrand, Tim. Writing for Multimedia. Journal of Film and Video, Volume 49, Number 3, Fall 1997, 68-69.
“Double Abandando.”
Article published in Creative Screenwriting, II, No. 3, Spring 1995.
“Reel-Life Experience.”
Article published in UNLV Magazine, Fall 1995.
“The Reconstruction: Learning to Write Cinematically.”
Article published in Creative Screenwriting, II, No. 1, Spring 1995.
“The Five Shot Sequence Exercise.” Article published in the Michigan Academician, XXVI, No. 1, Winter 1994.
SCHOLARLY PAPERS AND PUBLIC LECTURES:
“Visualizando el Guion” Five-day Master Class, Concultura, El Salvador, May 2006.
“Teaching Surprise And Suspense: Laying The Groundwork For Cinematic Narrative In Beginning Production” Paper presented the Sixtieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 2006.
“Virtual Landscapes: Creating New Fiction in a Cyber World.” Paper presented at the Thirtieth Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, September 2005.
“Challenges and Possibilities of International Teacher Exchange.” Panelist at the Fifty-ninth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Columbia College Chicago, Il, August 2005.
“Machinimania: Art, Artifice Or Accessible Virtual Filmmaking.” Paper presented at the Fifty-ninth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Columbia College Chicago, Il, August 2005.
“Tendencias Formales en ‘Reality Television’ y Cine Propagandista: Uso de Convenciones de Guion y Discusion de un Nuevo Sistema Etico.” Public lecture, Salvadoran
“Cuentamelo Sin Palabras: Reimaginando Redaccion y Direccion de Historias.” Master Class, Salvadoran Press Association, El Salvador, November 2004.
“Taming Cutting Edge Technology: Shooting the HD Feature.” Paper presented at the Fifty-eighth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Toledo, OH, August 2004.
“New Technology and Collaboration: Shifting Gears in Film Academia.” Plenary session at the Fifty-eighth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Toledo, OH, August 2004.
“Testing the limits of HD 24p in Film and Digital Education.” Proposal presented at the General Assembly of CILECT (The International Organization of Film Schools),
“24p and Telecined Film: Issues and Options in Editing.” Paper presented at the Fifty-seventh Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of South Carolina, SC, July 2003.
“Student Held Infra-Structure: How New Technology Shifted the Power in Film Academia." Paper presented at the Fifty-sixth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Ithaca College, NY, August 2002.
“The Big Disappointment and Other Peaks: Teachable Moments That Illuminate Screenplay Structure." Paper presented at the Fifty-sixth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Ithaca College, NY, August 2002.
“Go Ask Alice: How Lewis Carroll's Alice became a Third Person Shooter.” Paper presented at the Twenty-sixth Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, September 2001.
“Making Film Together: Creating the Co-curricular Film Project." Paper presented at the Fifty-fifth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Eastman Kodak Rochester, NY, August 2001.
“Virtually a Movie: New Developments in Interactive Gaming." Paper presented at the Fifty-fifth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Eastman Kodak Rochester, NY, August 2001.
“Is Film Dead?” University lecture presented at the
“The Hero As Witness: Kubrick's Shaping Of Full Metal Jacket.” Paper presented at the Twenty-fourth Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, October 1999.
“Exploiting Conventions: Grim Fandago Tackles Film Noir And Other Genres." Paper presented at Fifty-third Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Emerson University, Boston, MA, August 1999.
“Using Reincorporation: Making Meaning in the Feature-Length Screenplay.” Paper presented at Fifty-third Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Emerson University, Boston, MA, August 1999.
Panelist, "The Road to Sundance." All-day seminar. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, November 1998.
“Reforming Memories: Transforming Personal Events
Into Material For The Screen.” Paper presented at the Twenty-third Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, October 1998.
“Movie or Game? Blurring the Line Between Interactive Gaming and
Cinematic Story.” Paper presented at Fifty-second Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association,
“Is It Film Or Cinelook™? Widening The Options For The Student Filmmaker.” Paper presented at Fifty-second Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association,
"Becoming Cinematic," Master Class at Chapman University, March 1998.
“Faking Meaning: The Dangers of Film Theory in an Undergraduate Context.” Paper presented at the Twenty-second Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, October 1997.
“The Hero in Cyberspace: Traditional Storytelling Elements in Multimedia Gaming.” Paper presented at the Fifty-first Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh, WI, August 1997.
“Transitions Into New Technologies: Acknowledging Our Responsibility To Keep Up.” Panel presentation at the Fifty-first Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association,
“Restoring History: Bringing Back The Shorts Of Baltazar Polio.” Paper presented at the Colloquium on Film Restoration,
“Undertaking a Feature-Length Film: Preparing To Go The Distance.” Paper presented at the Colloquium on Independent Film Producing,
“Oliver Stone’s Responsible Irresponsibility: Examining the Value of the Outlaw History.” Paper presented at the Twenty-first Colloquium on
Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, October 1996.
“Pre-visualizing effectively for Film Production by Embracing the Digital Medium.” Paper presented at the Fiftieth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Chapman University, Orange, CA, August 1996.
“Reflecting About 'Cultural Baggage' Through Personal Experience.” Panel presentation at the BEA Conference,
“Los Populares Tambien Se Respetan: Examining Pedro Infante and Mario Moreno.” Paper presented at the Twentieth Colloquium on Literature and Film at Morgantown, West Virginia, September 1995.
“Mastering the Principles of Film by Shooting on Digital Video.” Paper presented at the Forty-Ninth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association, Keene State, Keene, NH, August 1995.
“Film into Rollercoaster, Rollercoaster into Film: How Narrative Informed the Amusement Park.” Paper presented at the Society of Cinema Studies: One Hundred Years of Cinema, NY, NY March 1995.
“Surviving the Salvadoran Presidential Elections.” Public lecture presented at the Tenth University Forum series at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, February 1995.
“Molina's Different Fantasies: How Adaptation Changed the Spider Woman.” Paper presented at the Nineteenth Colloquium
on Literature and Film at
“Developing Personal Material for the Screen.” Paper presented at the Forty- Eighth Annual Conference of the University Film and Video Association,
Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, August 1994.
“The Central American Conflict Through the Gaze of the Mainstream.” Paper presented at the 98th Annual Meeting of the Michigan Academy of Science Arts and Letters,
“Recovering Los Peces Fuera del Agua (The Fish Out of Water).” presented at the
“Rediscovering and Preserving the Primary Experience.” Paper presented at Forty-seventh Annual Conference of the University Film and
Video Association, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, August 1993.
“El Mediometraje: Del Guion al Rodaje, un Doble Salto Mortal” (The Short Feature: From Writing to Shooting, A Daring Accomplishment).
Public lecture and screening presented at the Universidad de las Americas, A.C., Mexico D.F., July 1993.
“The Five Shot Sequence Exercise.” Paper presented at the ninety-seventh Annual Meeting of the Michigan Academy of Science Arts and Letters, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, March 1993.
