We turn everyday moments into extraordinary narratives.

You have a story waiting to be told. We’re ready to roll up our sleeves and craft your narrative into an unforgettable experience for you – and your audience.

About Underdogs 1

OUR APPROACH

We’re a creative studio, a production company, and an animation house all rolled into one. As documentary filmmakers at heart, we lead with trust and integrity to ensure your story is thoughtfully shaped from the first conversation to the final cut.

Our Approach Step 1
01 // We start with understanding.

Whether you have a fully-formed concept, a rough draft, or a wild idea – we’re here for all of it. We listen closely, explore the possibilities, and develop fresh concepts designed to capture attention and drive results.

Our Approach Step 2
02 // We find the plot.

As your creative partners, we step into your world to uncover the intention at the heart of the project. From buttoned-up to unfiltered, we translate ideas into authentic, memorable stories that connect with your audience.

Our Approach Step 3
03 // We build the world.

This is where things get real. We take the concept and expand it through scripting, storyboarding, and visual treatments – crafting a detailed blueprint. Together with you and your team, we ensure the action plan is spot-on, stress-tested, and camera-ready.

Our Approach Step 4
04 // We bring it all together.

Now that we’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to bring it to life. Our producers and crew ensure everything runs smoothly and stays on track. Then, with precise editing, sound, color, and animation, we shape the story into something truly unforgettable.

OUR ENSEMBLE

Filmmaking is a people business — on both sides of the lens. The stories we tell are human, and so is the ensemble behind them. Our greatest assets aren’t the lights, cameras, and action — it’s the team that brings it all to life.

Kris Mendoza Formal
Kris Mendoza

Founder & Executive Producer

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Kris Mendoza

Chief Multitasker

Joanna Shen Formal
Jo Shen

Creative Director

Joanna Shen Rollover
Jo Shen

Aspiring Daydreamer

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Belinda Fitzpatrick

Head of Production

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Belinda Fitzpatrick

Mother of Dragons

Lexi Morrison Formal
Lexi Morrison

Post-Production Manager

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Lexi Morrison

Modern Day Carmen San Diego

Emily Poppa Formal
Emily Delp Poppa

Art Director

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Emily Delp Poppa

The Delpening

Betsy Oliphant Formal
Betsy Oliphant

VP of Business Development

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Betsy Oliphant

Yo Bets

Maria Vattimo Formal
Maria Vattimo

Lead Producer

Maria Vattimo Rollover
Maria Vattimo

Cool Kid Alert

Mike Kaiser Formal
Mike Kaiser

Creative Producer

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Mike Kaiser

Pop Culture Encyclopedia

Annie Bydlon Formal
Annie Bydlon

Associate Producer

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Annie Bydlon

Over-Caffeinated Zen Baker

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Rylee Meyer

EA + Studio Manager

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Rylee Meyer

Wannabe Sk8erGirl

Maria Cantu Formal
Maria Cantu

Editor

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Maria Cantu

Y2K Chick Flick Enthusiast

Stephen Yia Formal
Stephen Yia

Editor

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Stephen Yia

Professional Keyboard Clicker

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Austin Dean

Junior Animator and Designer

Austin Dean Rollover

 

Austin Dean

Dean-o-mite

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Brandon Wyche

Photographer

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Brandon Wyche

Aspiring Penman

Shantini Munthree Formal
Shantini Munthree

Brand Strategy

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Shantini Munthree

Brand Whisperer

Miguel Mendez Formal
Miguel Mendez

Senior HR Consultant

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Miguel Mendez

Busy Body

Patrick Parker Formal
Patrick Parker

Web Developer

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Patrick Parker

Beat Master Supreme

Kris Mendoza Formal
Kris Mendoza

Founder & Executive Producer

Joanna Shen Formal
Jo Shen

Creative Director

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Belinda Fitzpatrick

Head of Production

Lexi Morrison Formal
Lexi Morrison

Post-Production Manager

Emily Poppa Formal
Emily Delp Poppa

Art Director

Betsy Oliphant Formal
Betsy Oliphant

VP of Business Development

Maria Vattimo Formal
Maria Vattimo

Lead Producer

Mike Kaiser Formal
Mike Kaiser

Creative Producer

Annie Bydlon Formal
Annie Bydlon

Associate Producer

RyleeMeyerFormal
Rylee Meyer

EA + Studio Manager

Maria Cantu Formal
Maria Cantu

Editor

Stephen Yia Formal
Stephen Yia

Editor

Austin Dean Formal
Austin Dean

Junior Animator and Designer

Brandon Wyche Formal
Brandon Wyche

Photographer

Shantini Munthree Formal
Shantini Munthree

Brand Strategy

Miguel Mendez Formal
Miguel Mendez

Senior HR Consultant

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Patick Parker

Web Developer

OUR Services

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CREATIVE
DEVELOPMENT

Every project begins with an idea. Our in-house creative team partners with you to find the heart of your story, ensuring a final product that’s as intentional as it is unforgettable.

Discovery & Exploration

Ideation

Scriptwriting

Concept Development

Creative Direction

Visual Treatment

PRODUCTION

From nimble shoots to large-scale productions, we’re ready for anything. No matter the scale, every project is handled with care and crafted with purpose, integrity, and creativity.

Production Logistics

Production Design

Talent Casting 

Production Design

Lcoation Management

On-Set Direction

POST
PRODUCTION

This is where the magic happens. We weave moments into meaning through editing, color, and sound design, refining each detail until your story shines.

Story Producing

Post Production Supervision

Media Management

Editing

Colorgrading

Music & Sound Design

Design
& Animation

Animation allows us to turn imagination into reality. Our in-house design team turns wild ideas into bold visuals that inform, delight, and occasionally dance.

Art Direction

Visual Style Development

Story Development

Storyboarding

Design

Animation

OUR WHY

Our mission is to be the trusted storytellers that shine a light on stories that need to be told, doing so with the brightest and most creative talent, for the world’s top brands and companies.

Our vision is to be the leading advocates for sustainable careers and lifestyles in the film industry in order to enable our people to make an impact in their communities.

Our ethos is to approach our work with a focus on diversity and inclusion, ensuring that we are intentional in empowering and employing members of marginalized communities in our industry.

About Forte

In a world flooded with content,
purpose is what sets us apart.

In a world flooded with content, purpose is what sets us apart.

Our values give us clarity. Our ‘why’ gives us direction.
Together, they shape the stories we tell.

OUR STORY

Our founder’s story is where it all began—an idea, a camera, and a commitment to telling stories that matter. Over 20 years later, that foundation still drives the work we do and the mission of ‘telling stories that need to be told’ lives on.

Founder Story

From Founder, Kris Mendoza

In 2005, I set out to produce a documentary on my grandfather, Felipe Padilla de Leon, a composer and the National Artist for Music in the Philippines. That documentary was aptly named The Maestro

I always knew of my grandfather’s musical legacy, but curiosity pulled me deeper. I raised funds for a camera and journeyed to the Philippines—seeking his story, and unexpectedly, finding my own. I unearthed roots, history, and the truth that if I didn’t tell this story, no one else could – at least not with the unique perspective I had as his grandson.

After the documentary, I had everything I needed to continue: a camera, a bank account for the film, and an entrepreneurial itch. And so, Maestro Filmworks was born. For a few years, I was a one-man band. But as the ensemble grew, we began telling bigger, bolder stories. No matter how large we get, what gives me the most satisfaction is our shared passion to create—and to proudly share a piece of ourselves with the world, something I learned from my grandfather.

Ready to create?