Director Development

Mario Menjivar

Instructor of Animation at School of Visual Arts

***********@*****.***

Summary

My passion for drawing has taken me to an amazing journey of working with big studios like Disney and

Warner Bros. During that journey I animated for some of Disney's classic films and served as art director for

independent studio feature films, overseeing visual development crews. I’ve also been a consultant in early

concept development for presentation to investors.

Dedication to the job at hand isn’t work for me. What I enjoy most is creating and collaborating with other

artists. Seeing a project come to life because of the hard work and belief we have in the production gives me a

sense of pride because it always proves what fantastic things a solid team can produce.

My latest creative venture is Co-Owner and Illustrator for MoonBear, a Creative Content Company. The first

project, "The Girl Who Couldn't Draw," is a picture book in digital and print formats. It's a collaboration that

has gotten great reviews.

And as an Animation Instructor and Thesis Advisor I give each of my many students full individual attention to

oversee the development of their films and assignments.

Whether working with a crew, a group of young filmmakers or collaborating on a picture book, the gratification

of bringing an idea to its best possible life is always a great experience.

I’m available to create something amazing!

Experience

Instructor of Animation at School of Visual Arts

August 2010 - Present (2 years 7 months)

Professor of Animation-School of Visual Arts.

Freelance animator/illustrator at Freelancer

August 2010 - August 2011 (1 year 1 month)

Freelance animator/Animation Professor at The School of Visual Arts.

7 recommendations available upon request

Illustrator at DC Comics

July 2009 - November 2009 (5 months)

Freelance cover illustrator for DC Comics

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Animator and character designer at Whitestone Media

April 2009 - August 2009 (5 months)

Currently doing over forty seconds of animation for Whitestone, based on my visual style.

Style Guide Artist at Cartoon Network

December 2008 - March 2009 (4 months)

Style Guide character drawings for Ben 10 Merchandise.

Character Designer at Exodus Films

May 2008 - May 2008 (1 month)

Designed main characters for animated feature film Paul Bunyan and Babe.

Animator at Acme Film works

December 2007 - April 2008 (5 months)

Animation for CVS Pharmacy stores commercial.

Animation content creator at Independent Artist

2001 - 2008 (7 years)

Co-creator of story concepts and character designer for various animated TV series, merchandise and a

feature film.

2 recommendations available upon request

Character Designer/Advisor at Disney Hardlines

December 2006 - December 2007 (1 year 1 month)

Design Disney-themed merchandise and serve as advisor to design team

Animator at Duck Soup Studios

July 2006 - November 2006 (5 months)

Animation for end credits on Charlotte’s Web feature film.

Art & Development Consultant at Sprite Entertainment

2004 - 2006 (2 years)

Oversaw all initial visual development; Consulted in preliminary concept development for presentation to

investors; Did character, environmental designs and visuals of story moments for the studio’s CG animated

feature “Gon.” Also served as animation supervisor, collaborating with a Canadian studio for episode of

Disney’s upcoming Chicken Little TV series.

1 recommendation available upon request

Art Director at Melwood Pictures

2003 - 2004 (1 year)

Supervised layouts, moments, color palette and designed all character concepts for CGI animated feature The

Spirit Bear.

1 recommendation available upon request

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Animator at Warner Bros. Feature Animation

2003 - 2003 (less than a year)

Animated the following characters for Looney Tunes: Back in Action:

Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tasmanian Devil.

Animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios

1992 - 2001 (9 years)

Walt Disney Feature Animation, California

1998- 2001 Character Animator

Animated the following characters: Kala (Tarzan), Milo (Atlantis), Jim Hawkins (Treasure Planet).

1997-1998 Animating Assistant

For character of Nala for Tarzan.

1996-1997 Rough Inbetweener

For various characters in Hercules.

Walt Disney Feature Animation, Florida

1993-1996 Rough Inbetweener

For Pocahantas, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan.

1992-1993 Cleanup Artist

For character of Young Nala (Lion King).

1 recommendation available upon request

Languages

Spanish

Skills & Expertise

Traditional Animation

Photoshop

Painting

Character Animation

Microsoft Word

Storyboarding

Animation

Concept Design

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Illustration

Concept Development

Illustrator

Feature Films

Digital Painting

Drawing

Film

Visual Arts

Art

Projects

MoonBear

July 2012 to Present

Members:Mario Menjivar, Rosemary Rivera

MoonBear is a creative content kingdom ruled by animator and illustrator Mario Menjivar and writer

Rosemary Rivera. Together they’ve collaborated on lots of content, combining their own crazy ideas with

their professional experience.

Mario's work can be seen in hand-drawn animated films like Lion King, Pocahantas, Tarzan and Looney

Tunes: Back in Action. Rosemary has written and edited for magazines, blogs and worked behind the scenes

at NBC and Spanish-language sister network, Telemundo. She also served as a writer and story development

consultant for indie animation studio Sprite Entertainment.

MoonBear strives to create quality stories with beautiful art and offers themes you won’t see every day in

typical storybooks or creative content. Quirky but inviting, we create picture books that invite young readers

to share and discuss with their grownups, instead of the other way around.

We’ve got lots of projects up our sleeves, not just books! Whatever we dream it to be, you can be sure it'll be

different and fun.

We like shooting for the moon, but without the clunky gear and spaceship launch. We figure if the trip is

wacky and fun for us, maybe it’ll be for you too!

Thanks for joining the ride.

"The Girl Who Couln't Draw"

July 2012 to Present

Members:Mario Menjivar, Rosemary Rivera

Myra's ready to be the first 2nd grader to win the school art contest, but things take a wacky turn when the

grownups see her work. A funny, Almost True story about what happens when adults forget how to think like

a kid. A good read for kids and their grownups too!

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Education

American Animation Institute

Digital Storyboarding, 2007 - 2007

American Animation Institute/Disney Animation

Maya Training, 2001 - 2001

Walt Disney Feature Internship

Animation, 1991 - 1991

Art Student’s League

Painting and Art anatomy, 1990 - 1991

School of Visual Arts

BFA, Illustration, 1985 - 1989

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Mario Menjivar

Instructor of Animation at School of Visual Arts

***********@*****.***

12 people have recommended Mario

"Mario is an amazingly talented artist, and a true professional. Mario's work always exceeded our

expectations, and he always delivered ahead of schedule. Mario was an excellent leader for our art

department, and I would happily work with him again."

Jay Shindell, Production Executive, Melwood Pictures, managed Mario at Freelancer

"Mario is a an amazing talent. His skill set allows him to be valuable in so many areas. From concept to

finished files for manufacturing. Mario always delivered WAY ahead of time and always gave you better than

you asked for, that’s rare. But the best thing about him is I never saw him come in with anything but a fun

and open attitude. A total team player. I hope we cross paths again someday."

Mike Sheehan, Toy Design Director/Principal Designer, The Disney Store, managed Mario at Freelancer

"Mario is an incredible artist and a responsible professional. His talent is of the highest caliber and his

versatility makes him a valuable asset. He's a pleasure to work with and team player. A great animator,

graphic novel artist, art director, story board artist, designer and the list goes on and on... Mario will adapt to

the occasion and his many years of experience shows in his work. I can't say enough great and wonderful

things about Mario, his artistic ability and his etiquette... I highly recommend him with out a doubt. Rubén

Procopio"

Ruben Procopio, Owner, Masked Avenger Studios, worked directly with Mario at Freelancer

"Mario is a remarkably talented illustrator and animator - his work speaks for itself – but what may be less

obvious, and more remarkable, is his character. He works with an enthusiasm and love of learning that is

infectious, always willing to accept input to make great work even better. He is a pleasure to work with, and

to learn from."

Matthew DeMaio, Principal/Creative Director, Matthew C. DeMaio Communications, worked with

Mario at Freelancer

"Mario is an amazing artist who is comfortable working in many area within Animation and Illustration. His

creative talents come out in his story-telling and concept abilities, but he also has the strong fundamentals in

drawing, painting, and animation that allow him to masterfully brings his ideas to life. He has a passion for

everything he does and this quality makes him a joy to work with."

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Paulo Alvarado, Animator, Walt Disney Feature Animation, worked directly with Mario at Freelancer

"Mario is an extremely outgoing individual who takes his work seriously. He shows real professionalism in

working with other departments. I highly recommend Mario Menjivar as an artist and as a team player."

Alex Topete, Clean Up Artist, Walt Disney Feature Animation, worked with Mario at Freelancer

"Mario came in as a freelancer and did a great job and was quite a welcomed asset to our team. Always

professional and hard working."

dwight wanhala, Sr Character Artist/product designer, the Disney Store, worked directly with Mario at

Freelancer

"I've had the pleasure of knowing Mario professionally and personally since 1992 when we both worked at

Walt Disney Feature Animation. At Disney, Mario concentrated on becoming an animator, like a laser, since

day one; by the time I left he was and Animating Assistant and later became a seasoned animator. Years later

I worked with Mario on an independent project where he was the Director and Co-Creator. Mario was very

clear in his vision and good at getting the best work out of my colleages and myself. Knowing him personally

allows me to say that his work ethic extends past his 9 to 5 and into his own projects. He constantly comes up

with story ideas for pitches and his visual development skills are on par with those from ILM or any other

great studio. I am convinced Mario and his co-creator will have their own show on TV or a Feature film in

the future."

Brian Beauchamp, Web/Graphic/Illustration/Animation, Self - Employed, worked directly with Mario at

Independent Artist

"Mario created 'look of film', conceptual designs, character designs and overall design for our animated

feature film. He proved himself to be an exceptionally talented artist with a particular sensibility for story and

the role of design in supporting the narrative. He is also a very talented animator and has developed several

impressive properties of his own, which are strong in story concept and visual potential. I'd consider him a

very strong member of a key creative team."

John McKenna, Executive Producer, Melwood Pictures, managed Mario at Independent Artist

"Mario Menjivar is a creative and original thinker. He has native intelligence, great curiosity about people,

places, and ideas. His art work possess plenty of knowledge and sensitivity that helps him solve many

problem put before him. In addition, he demonstrated excellent powers of observation, and an ability to

communicate which is always a valuable asset for any company"

Kevyn Wallace, production designer, Walt Disney Feature Animation, worked directly with Mario at

Sprite Entertainment

"Mario is an outstanding art director and designer, who works very well with management and artists alike.

He is incredibly skilled, well organized and a pleasure to work with. In short, Mario is outstanding."

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Max Howard, was Mario's client

"Mario is a multi-talented animation artist who can do it all. His professionalism and demeanor are a pleasure

to encounter in a studio environment, and his work ethic and passion for the art makes him an ideal team

member. I look forward to working with Mario again."

T. Dan Hofstedt, Lead Character Animator, Walt Disney Feature Animation, managed Mario indirectly

at Walt Disney Animation Studios

Contact Mario on LinkedIn

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