About John Menier

John Menier specializes in visual and performing arts documentaries that focus on the creative process and its participants. Noteworthy productions include:

Trampling Out the Vintage, an historical/biographical documentary about John Steinbeck and The Grapes of Wrath.

San Diego Opera Spotlight and San Diego OperaTalk!, two long-running series co-produced with San Diego Opera.

Tan Dun’s Ghost Opera and John Adams: A Precise Process, both co-produced with La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest.

Necessary Theatre, a thirteen-part series of interviews with noted Chicano/Chicana theatre artists.

What Creativity Means, a five-part series which brings together middle school students and world music artists.

Orchestra Nova: Celebrations, a documentary exploring the creative evolution of San Diego’s premiere chamber music ensemble.

Two Emmy-winning collaborations with Malashock Dance, The Soul of Saturday Night and Love & Murder.

La Jolla Symphony & Chorus: Philip Glass/Cello Concerto, also awarded a regional Emmy.

Additionally, John’s work has garnered numerous Telly and Aurora awards for excellence in broadcasting. He holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, has worked as a freelance media professional in Los Angeles and several Midwestern markets, and has taught college courses in film and video production.

Recent and Ongoing Productions

La Jolla Music Society

Orchestra Nova: Celebrations

San Diego Opera Artists’ Roundtable

San Diego Opera Spotlight

San Diego OperaTalk!


Contact John Menier: jmenier@ucsd.edu