Kuang Lee’s Post

For marketers, film and video production is a high stakes game. Ensuring that your messaging is effectively communicated in a visual format is crucial. Watch this short video elaborating on the responsibilities of a film director and how they facilitate the delivery of your marketing messaging on set through the crew and talent. From a recent Satellite Film and Video production. Sarah Whitaker

Creating product videos that solve business problems is our specialty. In the fast-paced world of biotech, every square inch of lab space counts. When Cepheid approached us to showcase their new GeneXpert system with Touchscreen, we saw an opportunity to do more than just create a video. We set out to solve a important business challenge. Our team produced a video that demonstrated the system's space-saving capabilities. By integrating the entire operational interface into a sleek touchscreen, Cepheid's innovation significantly reduced the footprint in busy labs. This advancement not only optimized workspace but also enhanced user experience. Through strategic use of motion graphics and impactful messaging, we transformed complex technical information into compelling visual narratives. The video allowed Cepheid's customers to instantly grasp the tangible benefits of the new GeneXpert system. The video’s closing message, "For the work that matters most," underscores the human impact of the company’s instruments, emphasizing the ultimate goal of improving lives. Thank you Goli Fahid for the wonderful collaboration and opportunity. Link to the final video in the Comments below. Sarah Whitaker Eric Forthun

My company Satellite Film and Video won its fourth Telly award a few weeks ago. I was overjoyed when I found out the news. But I realized it wasn’t the award itself that made me feel this way. It was all that went into it, all of the nervous moments, sweat equity, the highs and lows on my journey to entrepreneurship. It was the satisfaction from attempting the perilous path to independence. Satellite Films was only a barest idea in my mind in 2018. Could I leave the stability of a corporate paycheck for something so unknown as my own creative company? I had a child, I had a mortgage; there was so much at stake. Taking the entrepreneurial plunge was a huge risk. Often, it doesn’t pan out. In fact, more often than not, it doesn’t pan out. Could I risk my family’s well-being for this? But I needed to find out if I could go out on my own, to be the master of my own destiny, to taste independence. It was a rocky beginning. Our first year was up-and-down, hustling to find clients, trying to make ends meet. Some months nothing came in, which led to sleepless nights. But somewhere along the way, people began engaging Satellite Films and myself, wonderful clients who trusted us to make complex things easy to understand. It grew to a nice little business, with a group of talented and smart clients who believe in our work. And so, with the Telly, it wasn’t the award itself, but instead the validation that came with all that went into it. I thought this would be fitting message for Independence Day, to tell my story of independence. Thank you, reader, for being part of Satellite Films’ journey.

Seeing our work make a tangible business impact for our clients is always gratifying. When Thermo Fisher Scientific needed to introduce a new pairing of instruments, they aimed to communicate how the QuantStudio Pro and the Orbitor Mover worked seamlessly together, allowing scientists to work efficiently outside the lab. Our video was more than just visually appealing; it was a strategic tool that addressed critical business challenges. The video demonstrated the interaction between these products, highlighting how they empower scientists by automating workflows outside the lab. Thermo Fisher Scientific's objective was to showcase the synergy between the instruments. Our video clearly showed how it tackled key customer pain points and offered innovative solutions. This video garnered significant engagement, demonstrating a 30% increase in viewer retention compared to previous product videos, indicating strong resonance with the target audience. The video went beyond product promotion. It effectively communicated Thermo Fisher Scientific’s value proposition, showing how the combined power of the QuantStudio Pro and the Orbitor Mover benefits scientists worldwide.  By telling a compelling story, the video connected with the audience and demonstrated real-world applications and benefits.  This was a fun project, Sarah Yesford. Link to the final video in the Comments.  

Visualizing the Beauty of Science with Gen AI One of the passions we have at Satellite Film and Video is for making the complex beautiful and accessible.  I wondered if could showcase  the convergence of biology and architecture by producing a video using organic forms, patterns, and processes found in nature, working with generative AI to create stunning visuals. In this project, I explored the natural world of a beehive. Starting with the hive in its forest setting, I delved into the intricate structures within, capturing the honeycomb’s geometric patterns and down to the molecular images of sucrose. Throughout, the textures and forms found in nature were highlighted, creating a visually stunning journey from the macroscopic to the microscopic. This collaborative effort harnessed the power of multiple AI tools. For this experiment, I utilized Anthropic Claude AI to generate the narrative and storyboards, Midjourney for the images, and Luma AI for the video production. Our experiment demonstrates the potential of AI in scientific visualization. By blending cutting-edge technology with natural phenomena, we've created a narrative that hopefully educates and inspires. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on this experiment! Sarah Whitaker

Some of the most impactful projects start with just an idea and no budget. Yet, they often make the biggest difference. During the COVID-19 pandemic, violence against elders in the Asian community surged. At Satellite Film and Video, we responded immediately by creating a "Stop the Asian Hate" PSA. As I shared in my keynote at Santa Ana College, this project had no client and no budget. It was fueled purely by our passion to create change. The results were remarkable. The video went viral, reaching nearly a million viewers. Major corporations integrated it into their own Stop the Hate campaigns. This small idea not only won a Bronze prize at the Telly Awards, but also became a powerful rallying cry for numerous organizations. This experience reinforces the power of purpose-driven marketing. It shows that timely, relevant content can transcend traditional marketing boundaries. Even without an initial budget or client, a compelling message can gain significant traction and support. Link to the Santa Ana College video in the comments (you can see the PSA in this video as well).

I'm sharing something deeply personal and, frankly, a bit surprising – even to me. As some of you know, my father passed away last year. It's been a challenging time, and I've been grappling with how to process this loss. For those who know me well, you're aware that I often turn to creative projects to help me navigate life's big moments. Well, this time, I've created something truly unexpected. I'm thrilled (and a little nervous) to announce that I'll be performing in my very first one-person show at the SF Fringe Festival this August. Yes, you read that right – I'm stepping onto the stage! It's kind of surreal to say that, considering I'm not an actor by trade. But creating this show and receiving support from the Fringe Festival has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The show is called "GAGS," and it's a musical comedy about grief. Of course, I know that grief and comedy don't usually go hand in hand. But this performance is my way of exploring the complexities of my relationship with my “Baba” (dad) through laughter and song. It's an unconventional approach, especially considering our Asian American cultural tendency to keep vulnerabilities under wraps. But in this show, I'm breaking free from those expectations and laying it all out there. Creating "GAGS" has been one of the most rewarding creative experiences of my life. It's funny, it's heartfelt, and it's my quest to understand my father's life in a way that feels authentic to me. As BroadwayWorld.com (yes, we got press!) described it, it's "a funny and heartfelt quest to understand a father's life through laughter and song." I would be over the moon if you could join me for this performance. Here are the details: Venue: Exit Theater, 277 Taylor St, San Francisco, CA 94102 Show dates and times: Sunday, August 11 at 3:00 PM Sunday, August 18 at 6:00 PM Saturday, August 24 at 9:00 PM I've included links to the Broadway World article and ticket information in the comments below. Whether you can make it to the show or not, I appreciate your support during this creative adventure. Feel free to spread the word to anyone you think might be interested in a night of laughter, music, and heartfelt storytelling!