Today we’d like to introduce you to Rubin Mendoza.
Hi Rubin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m a Los Angeles native and grew up in East Los Angeles. Luckily, my mom always fostered my creativity as a young boy and would allow me to become a dreamer when the neighborhood kids were mainly thinking of becoming blue-collar workers. I never thought there was anything wrong with that; my dad was one, but I always saw something else in store for me. I really enjoyed drawing, painting and writing stories as an elementary and middle school age student. By high school, those interests had changed to friends and Martial Arts, and the film business was not in my future. I did my best to stay out of trouble as a kid and was mostly, but not always, successful. Another thing that I had to contend with almost every day as a teenager was the negative feedback from friends and neighbors when I world mention that I wanted to work in the film business, since typically people growing up in East Los Angeles don’t consider working in Hollywood as a realistic goal. (i.e., I was laughed at a lot…)
My first area of real “grown-up” interest was computer science until me and some friends started making Martial Arts films as teenagers. I enjoyed the process so much that I started dreaming about becoming a director. I attended Cal State University Long Beach Film School and started working on “straight to video” films almost immediately. In the early 90’s, I had the chance to produce my first film that happened to have Jim Carey, Tom Wilson, and Fred Willard in the cast. By the mid-90, I was producing music videos and continued on this path through the early 2000’s.
By the mid-90s, music videos were becoming popular, and they really gave me my first opportunity to become a producer when no one in the film, TV, and commercial worlds would take me seriously. I was fortunate enough to been at the forefront of the “golden age of music videos” when record companies were investing millions in the production of each video. There I was, a kid from East Los Angeles, rubbing shoulders with Will Smith, Michael Jackson, and Bono. This was a very fun time for myself as well as my peers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m currently developing several wonderful TV and film projects, but without an agent or manager, it’s been an uphill battle, regardless of how great I think these projects are. The current economy is making this exponentially more difficult. But with determination and some luck, these projects will come to fruition in the near future. This is a much more difficult obstacle than most think it is, unless you are experiencing it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I HOPE IT’S OK, BUT I CUT AND PASTED MY WORK BIO BECAUSE IT DOES A DECENT JOB OF SUMMING UP MY PROFESSIONAL LIFE OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS.
Producer:
With over thirty years of experience as a bilingual Producer, Executive Producer, and Line Producer, I have successfully managed production budgets, schedules, crews, equipment, talent, and locations. My expertise includes overseeing the writing of relevant creative concepts and ideas from inception through final approval. Once approved, I supervise the execution of day-to-day production operations and all related requirements, including but not limited to any needed creative revisions as well as all production and clientele needs. Upon completion of filming or photography, my responsibilities can seamlessly transition to supervision of post-production requirements, as needed.
In order to maintain heightened communication of all creative and budgetary agendas as required by a particular project, I facilitate regular updates to clients, executives, the Director and the production team, as well as the company executives.
I am adept at leading crews, both large and small while cultivating high morale and motivation. I am able to sustain an extreme level of professionalism with high-profile celebrities, world-class creative talent (writers & directors), as well as executives and clients.
I have the innate ability to multi-task numerous of the aforementioned projects at once, while maintaining a calm under under-pressure demeanor. I also ensure the timely and fiscally prudent delivery of a completed product that goes well beyond client expectations.
Professional Experience:
My experience includes working in the capacity of freelance producer on almost 400 productions. National commercials produced include spots for Apple Computers, Nike, AMEX, Acura, Honda, Miller Lite, Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, Burger King, Taco Bell (2016 Super Bowl spot), McDonald’s, AT&T, Verizon, Chevrolet Camaro and Suburban, Subaru, Panasonic, Fender Guitar, Best Buy Stores, Beauty Blender, Clinique Make-Up, etc. My producer credits also include some of the most iconic music videos of the past twenty-five years. Artists produced for include Michael Jackson, U2, Jennifer Lopez, Will Smith, Pharrell Williams, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Jaime Foxx, Stevie Wonder, Lenny Kravitz, etc. Additionally, I have produced multiple PSAs, infomercials, sizzle reels, multi-camera concert shoots, several documentaries, as well as three feature films.
Production companies served include Hartbeat Entertainment, 305 Films, HSI Productions, Stun Creative, Known Studios, Media Monks, Harperville, Play Creative, Untitled TV, A Good Egg, SAMM Media, Overbrook Entertainment, Cortez Brothers, Mrs. K Films, Nepotism Films, Pictures In A Row, Propaganda Films, Oil Factory Films, etc.
Additional work includes having served as Senior In-House Producer for Legend VR, as well as an Activation Event Producer for Media Monks (Los Angeles & Sao Paulo) with Nike and Wieden+Kennedy. In addition to motion shoots, I have also successfully produced numerous photo shoots.
As an Executive Producer and Founding Partner of commercial and music video production house RAW Entertainment (2001-2004), I was tasked with overseeing combined production budgets which exceeded thirty-five million dollars annually. My responsibilities in this position included the recruitment of new talent (Directors), supervising the creation of written concepts and pitch decks, as well as all budgeting and supervision of individual projects while regularly interfacing with clients, talent, directors, and freelance production teams.
In addition to working throughout the United States, I have also produced numerous projects in Canada, Mexico, The Caribbean, as well as throughout Europe and Asia.
I am knowledgeable in the union, SAG, and labor laws, as well as having experience running 100% Covid-compliant projects.
I am comfortable working within all budget ranges and schedules, as well as jobs that span from the most technically complex to straight-forward productions I am extremely at ease when as working alongside celebrities of all levels. In addition to my vast music video and commercial credits, some celebrities that I have worked with as Producer include Morgan Freeman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Salma Hayek, Jim Carey, Martin Sheen, Chris Tucker, Marlon Brando, James Gandolfini, Kelsey Grammer, Topher Grace, Tom Selleck, Anthony Anderson, Kevin Hart, etc. High-profile Directors produced for include The Cronenweths (Jeff & Tim), Brett Ratner, The Hughes Brothers, Robert Rodriguez, Steve Oedekerk, Paris Barclay (former DGA President), Hype Williams, Paul Hunter, Marc Klasfeld, Gil Green, etc.
I have also served as a freelance agency producer on various commercial and network promo projects.
In 2022, I completed principal photography on the feature film documentary, Headliners Only for Heartbeat Entertainment, starring Kevin Hart, Chris Rock, and Dave Chappell. In the same year, I also produced a documentary for Paramount+ and Ancestry, featuring Anthony Anderson and Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. A dream Delivered: The Lost Letters of Hawkins Wilson went on to win the Shorty Award in the Short Documentary category as well as winning a Silver Clio Award in the TV Branded Content category. In an effort to further develop my skills, I worked twelve weeks as a VFX Producer in 2022 for Canadian visual effects company MARZ.
I am currently developing several TV series and film projects and always open to collaboration with creative, driven individuals.
Education, Training, Selected Knowledge, and Awards:
Attended CSULB (1987-89), majoring in Film and Electronic Arts. I have also attended various professional-level film extension courses at UCLA.
I am well versed in the use of film-related software, including but not limited to Movie Magic Scheduling and Budgeting, AICP-based budget templates (Hot Budget, True Budget, Point Zero, etc.), Numbers, Pages, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Google Docs, plus working knowledge of Final Cut Pro, Photoshop, etc. I am comfortable with approving and, when necessary, revising business contracts.
I am fluent in Spanish, as well as having an extremely high degree of understanding when reading and writing Spanish.
Awards include an MTV Video Of The Year Award (Moonman) for best music video, multiple MVPA awards, a Grammy Award nomination, a Clio Award for Best Public Service Announcement, and numerous other awards and nominations.
I line-produced a 51-day shoot for the upcoming animated comedy feature film Thumbwars IX for Writer-Director Steve Oedekerk (Ace Ventura, Patch Adams, Jimmy Neutron, etc.). I am also simultaneously developing several of my own TV and film projects. I am happily married to a supportive wife, and I consider my two teenage sons as my all-time ultimate production. In addition to spending time with family,
I regularly practice my lifelong passion for Martial Arts, as well as regularly trail run and meditate daily at the first sign of morning sunlight.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
It’s cliche, but I really dislike negativity, close-minded people, cruelty to people and animals, and the attitude of giving up too easily.
I like: open-minded people, people that are generous of their time and knowledge, DOGS!, hiking, Martial Arts, and the Beatles.
