Feathered jackets. Dancing presidents. And of course the ubiquitous tongue. In an electrifying five-minute video for the music video site VEVO, Miley Cyrus connects to audiences by introducing the people and ideas that make her live performances uniquely Miley.
Feathered jackets. Dancing presidents. And of course the ubiquitous tongue. In an electrifying five-minute video for the music video site VEVO, Miley Cyrus connects to audiences by introducing the people and ideas that make her live performances uniquely Miley.
For VEVO, this rare behind-the-scenes look needed to be as dynamic and eye-catching as Miley’s performances. The content channel turned to long-time collaborator, creative studio Senior Post, to give the video the energy it needed. The studio combined music, interviews, and backstage footage to create Miley Cyrus Bangerz (VEVO Tour Exposed). It earned the team a 2014 CLIO Award. With high energy and a keen eye for details, this award-winning video is typical of the work from Senior Post.
Expanding creative focus
Josh Senior began Senior Post with a simple goal: to raise the bar on digital services by providing clients with top-quality video editing and post-production work. Although the Brooklyn-based studio initially focused on the editorial side of video production, Senior Post quickly expanded into finishing services that deliver the crisp images and perfectly synced sound that turn a great video into an extraordinary one.
“We got our start working with brands like VEVO and VICE on music-related content and online videos,” says Senior. “We spent our first few years improving our work and making a name for ourselves for high-quality execution. Winning the CLIO Award was a real game changer, opening the door for production opportunities. We’re now able to offer a one-stop solution for branded content—handling production, editing, and finishing under one roof.” 
Working with a team
As the studio’s workload grew and diversified, so did its workforce. The studio works with half a dozen people on an average week, with about fifteen people on set for a shoot. Rapidly scaling the team up and down gives Senior Post the ability to take on a large variety of work across a broad range of budgets.
“We never wanted to price ourselves out of opportunities, and the dynamic flexibility of our business model is the perfect parallel for Creative Cloud,” notes Senior. “We use Creative Cloud throughout our creative process, but our numbers have been growing dramatically,” says Senior. “Just a few years ago, we used two workstations. Now we have five. Adobe Creative Cloud for teams was the next step for our growing business.”
With Creative Cloud for teams, Senior can assign and reassign licenses to freelancers working anywhere. Working on the same Creative Cloud apps and versions keeps collaboration running smoothly. Team members can share assets quickly and easily, no matter where they’re located.
Since the Adobe apps work together seamlessly, different elements of a project can be worked on simultaneously and pulled together for a faster production workflow. Editors cut video in Adobe Premiere Pro CC while sound editors mix the audio track in Adobe Audition CC. Animators import assets created in Adobe Photoshop CC into Adobe After Effects CC to create smooth animations.
“Importing a Photoshop or After Effects file into Premiere Pro that automatically updates as we make changes in the original programs makes combining different types of media much simpler and more efficient,” says Joanna Naugle, Senior Post Lead Editor. “With Adobe Creative Cloud for teams, I can support my teams from anywhere to keep workflows running smoothly and deliver the best content for our customers,” adds Senior.
Creative workflows
Adobe Creative Cloud for teams apps contribute to every stage of a project, starting from pitches and prototypes. Working with Adobe InDesign CC, Senior can pull together assets created in any Adobe app to develop an engaging pitch. The smooth workflows and easy integration with Adobe apps enables Senior to use Premiere Pro CC to add assets onto a timeline and quickly prototype video projects.
“Power windows in Premiere Pro CC enable us to quickly set looks and provide an idea of how the story will evolve in a visual way,” says Senior. “Being able to serve clients with moving prototypes helps us better convey our ideas compared to static storyboards. We can deliver more persuasive client presentations that accurately reflect our creative vision.”
Senior is looking at more ways to use mobile apps, such as Adobe Shape CC or Adobe Premiere Clip, to expand creative workflows. “I used Adobe Color CC to capture the color palette of a client’s office and bring that back into the project,” says Senior. “It was an amazing way to tie the video to the client’s brand. I love how the Adobe Creative Cloud mobile apps open up new possibilities for us creatively.”
Senior Post’s narrative comedy, Eavesdropping.
Delivering original video
After spending years polishing skills on branded content, Senior Post now has the time and opportunity to focus on original works. “Long-form content, by nature, tends to involve very busy periods followed by lulls in activity,” says Senior. “This cycle is a huge asset for us, as we can use the downtime to work on our own projects.”
From narrative comedies like Eavesdropping to the documentary series Life on Mars, Senior Post’s original material has been as varied as its branded work. The studio also encourages its employees to pursue their own ideas, using company resources to help bring dream projects to life. “By reinvesting in our talent, we’re keeping employees engaged and building a team of highly experienced and creative staff,” says Senior. Projects are often featured on Instagram and Facebook, enabling the studio to control distribution to highly engaged audiences.
Looking to the future
For Senior Post, the next big project on the horizon involves a narrative feature entitled 5 Doctors. The studio will handle digital imaging and related workflows, which will require deep involvement throughout the filming process.
The studio is also working with VICE’s creative agency, Virtue Worldwide, to produce a series of pre-roll ad spots for SUBWAY, providing full production and post to a top tier client. By leveraging collaboration through Creative Cloud for teams to its fullest, Senior Post was able to deliver eight pieces of content back to Virtue Worldwide within two days.
“We’re closing the gap between post and production work,” says Senior. “Adobe Creative Cloud for teams is an essential piece to help us increase collaboration while keeping workflows efficient. The apps are allowing us to align more closely with the agencies that engage us, and present a unified package to our clients. Having that extra time to refine stories and beats really makes everything a lot more polished by the time clients’ lay eyes on the work.”
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