Documentary
Project descriptions featured belowDocumentaries reflect my eyes. Inspired by observatory, Italian Neo-realist aesthetics, I strive to immerse the viewer into whatever space I'm capturing, to see what I see.
More often than not, I'm interested in documentary stories which capture the 'little guy,' stories that go unnoticed yet are indicative of a bigger, societal concern.
PEPAA
In dedication to St. Louis and its lustrous and bustling music scene, 'PEPAA' centers the viewer, from beginning to end of the event, what it's like to experience the experimental and globally influenced music, food, and rich history of one of St. Louis's last-standing jazz jams.
As Director, I was inspired by this underground club's immersive music. Over the past years, I've attended jazz jams and was surprised by the lack of attendence at these jams. This film is a response, using observational and participatory Documentary techniques to immerse the audience into attending one of these events. Featured in The Source and in STL’s Filmmakers Showcase.
Director
Carlos Mendoza
Producer
Max Remy
DoP
Carlos Mendoza/Max Remy
Year
2024
‘VERA’ Short Film BTS
Every Wednesday night, Student Life staff come together to design the weekly edition of the newspaper. This short takes you behind the scenes into the work and shenanigans of “production night”. Everything from copy editing to laying out the pagination is highlighted alongside explanations from the editors of the paper.
Inside Production Night
Director
Carlos Mendoza
Year
2023
A Behind-the-Scenes of VERA, a short film shot in Prague, Czech Republic.
Director
Carlos Mendoza
Year
2023
Your Story | Asian American Experiences
In college, I took a course called "Encountering China." This class surveyed with a plethora of Asian experiences in art, American history, and immigration. For a final project, I proposed a documentary, one which interviews Asian Americans which have recently immigrated to the US for school, work, and new opportunities.
This 20-minute documentary surveys triumphs and difficulties in their immigrant narratives.
Director
Carlos Mendoza
Year
2020