Mario Góngora / President
Since the age of 7, Mario has been making films. First, an invading army of giant mutant ants destroyed his home in Chihuahua, México sometime in 1977. Then during the Star Wars hysteria in 77-78, he used his dad’s Super 8 camera to create his own Star Wars mini-films and almost burned down his house while trying to create crude “pyrotechnic” effects for them. After a couple of months without a camera (as a result of this Visual Effect fiasco) He continued making films with “safer scenes”.
After finishing High School he heads up to El Paso Texas and majors in Journalism and Electronic Media at the University of Texas at El Paso. The advent of consumer digital technology and his access to professional equipment at his place of employment bring about a new sense of “everything is possible”. After a project he works on for the U.S. State Department, he has enough money to buy his first non-linear editing system and a DVCam deck. He writes and produces “Contratiempo Mortal” a 90-minute movie that deals with spies, international terrorism and a killer satellite in orbit. (No pyrotechnics though).
In 1997 he writes, produces and directs “Nomadas” a time-travel pilot show directed at young Hispanics. The show never airs, but opens the doors to other interesting projects and a job with Univision affiliate Channel 26.
As a member of the production department at Univision 26 in El Paso, He develops “El Limite”, a youth-inspired video/interviews show that later earns him a position as Promotions Director at the station. It is here where he discovers and starts working with Karla Martinez (current co-presenter of Despierta America) as they both start covering the Southwest entertainment scene for the Univision Network as producer and talent. (He’s the producer.)
This work eventually leads him to Miami and a Job as Producer and Cameraman for ‘El Gordo y la Flaca”, Where he develops his skills and learns what “under pressure” really means.
He writes produces and directs “The Call”, an award winning short-film dealing with the afterlife (which story and message came in a “dream”... really.) He also writes, produces and directs “Last”, another short film that tells the story of the last human being alive. This short awakens even more his interest in Visual Effects and Science Fiction.
He moves on to Univision Online and also starts using one of his other talents: Voice Overs. For a period of three years he is the official voice of “Control”, “Despierta America”, “Noche de Película”, and “Bienvenidos” on Univision. After 4 years at Univision Online and a great Voice Over career with National Products like Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Hallmark, HP, Ford and many, many more, he decides the time has come to continue following his dream: Making films and creating worlds. He founds Mindscape Productions, Inc. in Miami Florida, a Production Company that not only gives him enough to eat and provide for his beautiful wife Cynthia and two daughters (Emma Sofía and Daniella), but also lets him add digital explosions to his projects... without burning down his house.
Mindscape Productions, Inc.
Was founded in 2003 by Mario Góngora as a small operation providing basic editing, audio and graphic design services. Since then, it has grown both in scope of projects and experience, having edited five feature length movies (of which at least one has been aired on National TV in the U.S. and México with great success). Many spots for advertising agencies, corporate videos, pilot shows and upfront presentations.