Advanced film writing courses under co-chair Hal Ackerman, Lew Hunter, & other
industry creatives - including Tim Albaugh (Pixar), Jim Strain (“Jumanji”), Michael
Colleary (“Face/Off”), & Daniel Pyne (“Manchurian Candidate”)
Professional TV writing/producing tutelage, including running writers’ room: with
Channing Dungey (president, Disney/ABC), Jeff Bell (“Marvel's Agents of SHIELD”),
Felicia Henderson (“Empire”), 5 quarters with comedy veteran Fred Rubin (“Archie
Bunker’s Place”, “Family Matters”, fellowship lecturer: Disney/ABC, WB, Nickelodeon);
selected for special writing improv course w/ Phyllis Katz, Groundlings former director
Chosen for TV writing/producing program through exclusive SHOWRUNNER TRACK: one of two graduates to complete both comedy & drama series concentrations
Granted extended graduate stay, delving into further areas - including DIRECTING,
ACTING, FILM EDITING, & DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
Advanced Production & Post-Production courses - including Directing The Actor with
Delia Salvi, Experimental Filmmaking, Editing with Nancy Richardson ("Twilight"
series), & Final Cut with program creator Michael Wohl
Served as Undergraduate Mentor, Fine Arts for UCLA’s Pilipino-American Graduate
Student Association - advising students pursuing careers in the creative majors
Various honors; hired before graduation to film full-length documentary in the
Philippines, exploring social justice & culture identity
Master of Fine Arts - Film (Screenwriting specialization), ’11
UCLA SCHOOL OF THEATER, FILM, & TELEVISION, Los Angeles
— EDUCATION
Master of Arts Program - Telecommunications & Film, ’05 - ’06
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, Los Angeles
Screenwriting & music composition study before transferring to UCLA
CSULA Film Festival honors & Disney Talent Development school finalist
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Annenberg Alumnus ’91
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles
Screenwriting with TV writer/producer Scott Spencer Gorden (“Saved By The Bell”)
Honors Internship, USC/A&M Records
Intern, K-BIG Radio 104.3 FM - eventually working seven years at L.A. station,
becoming Music Director & main copywriter, focusing on commercials & promotions
DAILY TROJAN writing staff - penning entertainment articles & editorial cartoons
KSCR Radio newswriter/announcer, scribed comedy sketches as morning disc jockey
General Education, ’87 - ’89
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Riverside
Selected for early college study with high school/university honors program
Campus newspaper writer; created weekly comedy/entertainment column
Fall ’20 – Current
HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY, Texas
Adjunct Professor, Cinema & New Media Arts
Main instructor & thesis advisor for Masters of Fine Arts program - including
Advanced Screenwriting I/III/IV, Thesis I/II, & Media Industry/Business
Bring entertainment industry professionals monthly to share knowledge &
experience, including Paul Guay (“Liar Liar”), German Michael Torres (Netflix’s
“Christmas With You”), Ben & Mollie St. John (Netflix’s “Arcane”), and others
Mentor & counsel students with craft & career - including creating additional
workshops & attending South By Southwest annual film & TV festival/conference
-past students have been selected for film festivals & TV show writing on Disney+
Fall ’12 – Spring ‘18
UNIVERSIDAD PANAMERICANA, Mexico City
Film Department Director & Full-Time Professor
Founder & Head, IMAGINATORS International Cinematic Storytelling Program
Designed curriculum, teaching for undergraduate, graduate, & professional programs
-including multiple levels of Screenwriting, Audiovisual Narrative, Intermediate Webseries
Writing/Production, Visual Storytelling/Production, Virtue in Media, & more
Created & led IMAGINATOR INITIATIVE intensive short filmmaking program,
becoming school’s most comprehensive hands-on training
-expanded as intl. & intercultural summer curriculum: students from Mexico, USA, Guatemala
-graduates hired in key media roles, including national production companies & TV networks
-link to program information video - with student testimonials
Implemented engaging, effective resources to help students best learn craft
-used video editing skills to create customized multimedia, including for online instruction
-connected acting experience & creative exercises to probe deeper into lessons
Consistent teaching evaluations - median well above 9.0 of 10 scale
Proactive mentor/student counsel in academic, professional, & practical matters
Extended class sessions & semester schedules due to interest
Launched film/TV seminars: Tim Reckart (Oscar-nominated animator/director), Tim
Albaugh (Pixar), Paul Chitlik (“Twilight Zone”), Anthony Epling (“Beauty & The Beast”)
Winter/Spring ’10
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, Los Angeles
Section Instructor, Undergraduate Introductory Screenwriting
Taught & prepared lectures for college course
Assembled effective resources: engaging assignments, useful research materials, &
one of first instructors to institute class website
-Brought industry guests (including Monica Macer - writer of TV’s “Lost” - and Bill Marsilii,
screenwriter who sold highest-bidding scripts in history)
Strengthened student learning, initiating mandatory one-on-one midterm script
meetings with 20-25 students per quarter to stay connected with progress
Chosen to teach beyond initial assignment, under department head Hal Ackerman &
writer Paul Castro (“August Rush”)
— TEACHING
— INVITED PRESENTATIONS
Spring ’21
Guest Lecturer, UNIVERSIDAD AMERIKE Mexico City
Basics of screenwriting/visceral storytelling
Fall ’17/Spring ’18
Guest Lecturer, UNIVERSIDAD PANAMERICANA Guadalajara, Mexico
Screenwriting, special examination of Act Two story structure
Spring ’17
Guest Lecturer, UCLA SCREENWRITING PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM Los Angeles
Focused on story imagery, including the power of beginning & ending impressions
Fall ’15
Guest Lecturer, AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE Austin, Texas
Concentration on cinematic storytelling & how cinematography serves story
Taught multiple sessions due to students’ request
Spring ’13, Spring ’14, Spring ’15
Guest Lecturer, JOHN PAUL THE GREAT UNIVERSITY San Diego
Invited by my former instructor Chris Riley to teach writing for TV comedy/drama
In communication to possibly teach own course: Creating for Today’s Global Audience
Fall ’12
Series Lecturer, U.S. EMBASSY BEN FRANKLIN LIBRARY Mexico City
Creative storytelling program for locals, using popular film to teach English
Summer ’12
Guest Lecturer, ACT ONE Los Angeles
Screenwriting, focusing on effective story twists
—AFFILIATIONS
Writers Guild of America, Eligible Member
UCLA Alumni Association
USC Alumni Association
TEN: USC Trojans In Entertainment
Former:
ASCAP: American Society of Composers, Authors, & Publishers
National Broadcasters' Association for Community Affairs
PIRATES Board of Directors (Print, Interactive, Radio, & TV Educ. Society)
Steering Committee, Drug Free Southern California
UFVA: University Film & Video Association
—MEDIA EXPERIENCE
Writer: IMAGO STORYTELLER (’25 - Present)
Member of new international production company's U.S. content team, actively
developing feature films and series
Heads include producer Gaston Pavlovich (Netflix's "The Irishman")
Recently tapped to scribe pilot for their new children's adventure series
Writer/Producer: VARIOUS CREATIVE PROJECTS - US, Mexico (’13 – Present)
Creating & developing work in television, film, commercials, music, & more
Garnered interest from Disney/ABC, GMT Films/Netflix, Will Ferrell’s Funny Or Die,
Morgan Freeman’s Revelations, Lin Pictures (“Lego Movie”), & others
Currently shopping bilingual series with co-creator Paul Chitlik (“Twilight Zone”)
Video & Audio Project Creator/Producer/Editor, FREELANCE - L.A. (’11 – Present)
Now under own banner iMANGOnation - hired to develop & refine projects for various
entertainment & business campaigns
-past projects incl. international course videos of screenwriting expert/UCLA chair Richard
Walter, podcast series of NBA veteran Joe Smith, Spotify's "Sermolys", comedian Marcus Evans
Writers' Assistant/Writer: STUDIO 3:16 - Los Angeles / Florida (’25 - '26)
Develop stories for children/teen sitcom, expanding to streaming
Help veteran showrunner/writer Dean Batali ("70's Show") - communicating with
producers and WGA re: contracts, proofreading final scripts, and more
Script writer for two episodes in latest season, awaiting potential renewal
Actor/Writer: “CONFESSIONS OF A CATHOLIC SINGLE”- Los Angeles (’22 - '26)
Lead cast and scribe hired for podcast sitcom, streaming on various platforms
Writer: “SMOOTH CRIMINALS” (’19) - Los Angeles
Comedy/dance short film script bought by Archer Entertainment
Writer: “LITTLE KAIJU (Pilot)” (’19) - Los Angeles
Penned script for AMGI Studios developing animated series for children (see trailer here)
Executive Producer/Writer: “Jovenes MX”, Mexico City (’12 – ‘18)
Developed/scribed teen drama web series, addressing issue of underage drinking
Successfully raised $8,000 for series in one month, through crowdfunding
Handled budget, fundraising, editing, second-unit directing, & miscellaneous
administrative needs – featured in Mexican newspaper MILENIO
Director/Writer/Producer: Official Doritos Entry, Mexico City (’15)
Spearheaded project for Super Bowl competition, partnering with professional
cinematographer & former/current students to create 30-second ad: (watch here)
Executive Producer: “Positive”/“Being Art”, Mexico City (’14)
Creative advisor of short films selected for intl. festivals, including Palm Springs
Writer: “hIMPERFECT”, Los Angeles (’11 – ’13)
Hired to pen SAG New Media comedy series pilot (watch here)
Considered by independent production company for half-hour TV series
Director/Writer/Editor: "REDISCOVERING..." DOCUMENTARY, Philippines (’11 - ’12)
Filipinos & Fil-Americans explore cultural roots while volunteering on medical missions
Commissioned by Filipino Ministry of San Bernardino Catholic Diocese
Actor/Writer/Film Editor: “IMPROV-IT-UP” SHORTS, Los Angeles (’11 – ’12)
Developed, filmed, & edited YouTube comedies to promote acting course
Ghost Writer: PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER, Los Angeles (’11)
Co-wrote produced short film project funded by major production company
Director/Writer/Editor:” THE DAYCARE” SHORT, Los Angeles (’10 – ’11)
Family comedy, premiered at UCLA Festival of New Creative Work (watch film here)
Director/Writer/Editor: “NATIVE. ARTS.” SHORT, Los Angeles (’10 – ’11)
Documentary connecting dance, music, & identity through Filipino-American
performance troupe, shown at UCLA Festival of New Creative Work (watch film here)
Writer: UCLA/GATES FOUNDATION STORYTELLER INITIATIVE, Los Angeles (’09 – ’10)
Short films promoting education, multiple projects selected from top 10% submissions
Programming/Development Intern: SONY PICTURES TELEVISION, L.A. (’08)
Immersed in studio process, better learning about industry
Senior Contest Producer: UCLA SCREENWRITERS SHOWCASE, L.A. (’07 – ’08)
Generated over 200 industry judges for film school’s annual festival
Featured Actor: “World On a String” FILM DOCUMENTARY, Los Angeles ('06)
On-Call Creative Services Director: KZLA RADIO, Los Angeles (’98 – ’06)
Wrote & produced scripts for major-market broadcast & sales
Lead Actor: "Much Ado About Nothing" PERFORMANCE, Valley College, L.A. ('04)
Music Director: DMX MUSIC, Los Angeles (’98 - ‘02)
Wrote script/hosted nationally-heard Valentine’s Day dedication show
Wrote script/interviewed Boyz II Men for special tribute show
Music Director/Various Positions: KBIG RADIO, Los Angeles (’91 – ’98)
Wrote creative copy, becoming main writer - incl. commercials & promotions
Also served as Public Service Dir., Interim Operations Supervisor, Programming Coord.
Station reporter for premieres & award shows - including Oscars & Grammy Awards
—AWARDS/HONORS (SELECTED)
Austin Film Festival/Screenwriting Conference - Top 10% Scripts
pilot draft selected from over 8600 submissions
Bell/Young & The Restless/UCLA TV Fellowship Award - merit in dramatic writing
Cal State LA Film Festival - 2nd Place, Screenwriting
CineStory Digital Series Fellowship - 3rd Place
Disney/ABC Writing Program - Semi-Finalist
Disney Talent Development Scholarship Grant Program/Cal State LA
School Finalist (awarded Writers Guild of America Mentorship)
Fox Writers Intensive Program - Three-Time Nominee
HolyWood Acting Studios Intensive Summer Program - Full Scholarship
HUMANITAS David Angell Award, Official UCLA Nominee
chosen by faculty to represent school in industry competition
Jay Grossman/UCLA Comedy Writing Award
Matthew Kelly Scholarship – essay won retreat in Europe with best-selling author
NBC/NAACP Fellowship - Two-Time Finalist
Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship - Top 6
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society - Love of Learning Award
Silver Mike Awards - National Finalist, KBIG/writing “Special Olympics” PSA
Sloan Foundation/UCLA Screenwriting Fellowship - Finalist
Southern California Music Acoustic Live - Finalist
for songwriting/performance
UCLA Graduate Film School, Fellowship Award
UCLA Screenwriters Showcase - 3rd Place, Original TV Pilot Scripts
top-ranking half-hour comedy, mentioned in “Hollywood Reporter”
—VOLUNTEER/MENTORING/OTHER TEACHING
Mentor for CATALYST, Greenhouse Arts & Media, L.A. (’21 – '24)
Invited by Anthony Epling (Netflix’s “Sweet Magnolias”) to moderate non-profit
organization’s writing group for aspiring creatives
Performing Arts Instructor, ABVM CATHOLIC SCHOOL, Pasadena, CA ('20-'21)
Wrote, directed, edited, & produced creative projects for grades TK-8th
Co-Leader, DOMINICAN FILM CLUB, St. Dominic Church, L.A. (’18 - ‘20)
Plan/coordinate monthly movie screening & discussion for parishioners & guests
Counselor/Mentor, TILDEN STUDY CENTER, Los Angeles (’08 - ’10, ’18)
Guided teens with academic & life goals in high school leadership program
Spearheaded creation of group film projects for junior high summer camp
Undergraduate Mentor, Fine Arts - PAGASA, UCLA, Los Angeles ('06 - '07)
Served for UCLA’s Pilipino-American Graduate Student Association - advising students
pursuing careers in the creative majors
—PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Online Teaching Resources, '21 - Present
Pre-recorded filmmaking lessons and advice from industry and academic professionals
-Udemy, including Filmmaking & TV Directing master class with USC prof, Nina Foch
-MasterClass, Directing/Filmmaking instruction, including from James Cameron
HCU Narrative Arts Conference, ‘21, '25, '26
Workshops learning from industry creative professionals, including actor/writer/
producer Tony Hale (“Veep”/”Arrested Development”)
Graduate Directing Workshop, Houston, TX ’26
Reviewing/expanding knowledge in today's landscape with director Chris Hartwell
Zoom Guest Lecture: "Why Film Is Like Chocolate Cake" ’25
Oscar-nominated director Timothy Reckart instructs on honing filmmaking craft
South By Southwest, Austin, TX ’22 - '25
Learning & leading graduate students at annual media conference & festival for global
creatives, with focus on navigating projects in the contemporary film/TV arena
Seminar: "The Power of Film" with Howard Suber, UCLA Professional Program, '25
Further study with my former professor in the creation of memorable and impactful
movies and their characters, through the lens of his recent TCM documentary series
Private Online Screenwriting Course, Los Angeles, ’17
10-week small group sessions with Disney/Pixar story instructor Tim Albaugh
Austin Film Festival, Austin, TX, ’15
Intensive structure & story workshops with industry panelists, including screenwriter
Michael Arndt (“Star Wars”/“Little Miss Sunshine”) & TV show creator Norman Lear
Seminar: Power of Cinematography in Visual Storytelling, Mexico City, ’14
Exploring camera as audience’s eyes & examining key tools to strengthen story
Holy Wood Acting Studio Intensive Summer Program, Los Angeles, ‘11
Improvisation, Meisner technique, script breakdown, scene study, movement, voice
Act One Screenwriting Program, Los Angeles, ’07 - ’10
Completed film & TV tracks, returning to teach in 2012
Instructors included experts from both the entertainment industry & academia
Taliesin Nexus Filmmakers Workshop, Los Angeles, ’10
Invited to conference connecting filmmakers with industry veterans - featuring
lectures from professional directors, writers, producers, documentarians
—REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
