There’s something incredibly fulfilling when we are able to solve our clients' problems for them, whether they’re struggling to connect with their audience in a way that feels authentic, feel overwhelmed by a story they’re trying to get across, or are unsure about the process of bringing a video to life. Name: Tim de PalaTitle: Production Studio LeadLocation: San Francisco Bay Area, CA What is your role? What are your responsibilities in your role at TrendyMinds? Tim: I am Production Studio Lead at TrendyMinds. I’m excited to bring more than 20 years of experience to TrendyMinds where my role is to help the Production Studio continue growing and expanding. We absolutely love what we do and aim to consistently deliver the highest quality of work for our clients. We’re also continuing to build on the strong connections we have with other Studios across the company and seeking out opportunities for more collaboration. What is your Studio? What services or capabilities does your Studio offer? Tim: Our bread and butter is film and animation, including motion graphics. We have remarkably talented filmmakers, animators, and production folks on our team who are great at using sight and sound to tell amazing and impactful stories. On top of that though, we have some impressive illustrators on the team, as well as access to a full Design Studio. This is a capability our clients don’t always expect from an agency or know to ask about, but one that is perfect for projects that call for unique and highly stylized animation. We also have capabilities for augmented reality and virtual reality, as well as visual effects and 3D animation. I’d also be remiss not to mention our full studio and sound stage located in downtown Indianapolis. It’s a huge space, 48 feet long by 32 feet wide by 20 feet tall, totally soundproofed, with a full lighting grid, and stocked full of robust production equipment. We’ve built full-sized, custom sets in that space, and with just a little notice, it can be ready for live productions. The TrendyMinds studio is 48 feet long by 32 feet wide by 20 feet tall, totally soundproofed, with a full lighting grid, and stocked full of robust production equipment. What types of challenges does your Studio help to solve for clients? Tim: Our primary job is to help our clients get their message across in a visual, emotional, and compact way. Sometimes, though, the real challenge our clients find themselves up against is seeing their brand or message in a fresh light. That’s where we can make the biggest impact: finding the heart in their story and capturing it in a way that connects with audiences. In doing so, we not only help our clients hit their marketing or business goals, but also deliver an amount of emotional ROI that helps foster deep, authentic connections between brands and the people that care about them. What types of projects do you enjoy most or find fulfilling? Tim: There’s something incredibly fulfilling when we can solve our clients' problems for them, whether they’re struggling to connect with their audience in a way that feels authentic, feel overwhelmed by a story they’re trying to get across, or are unsure about the process of bringing a video to life. It’s satisfying to go through the journey of creating something special with them. I also love projects that embody messages of “doing good,” such as sustainability, equality, and equity. Here at TrendyMinds, I get to work with clients who are making major impacts in areas like mental health, clinical research, and so much more. It’s very exciting and fulfilling! What is your background? What were you up to before you joined TrendyMinds? Tim: I was most recently at Salesforce (now a client!) as a program manager on the Brand creative teams. Before that, I spent many years in production management in visual effects, film, and commercials. What new developments or current trends do you find most exciting about your area of expertise? Tim: I’m really excited about all the developments happening with Epic’s Unreal Engine in movies and television. Traditionally used in games, this technology has dramatically affected how stories are told — both logistically and creatively. Anyone who has seen The Mandalorian has seen what this looks like. Or rather, they won’t have seen it because it’s so seamless and behind the scenes! And that’s the mark of any good film technology: the game of smoke and mirrors remains undisrupted, and the viewer can immerse themselves in the story. With access to this kind of technology, we can take audiences anywhere — from the rainforest to the North Pole — without leaving the studio. Do you have advice for anyone starting out in your area of expertise? Tim: Do it because you love it. It’s a hard business and chances are you’re going to start out at the bottom. Find the inspiration that sustains you creatively when the money and recognition are lacking. For me, that thing is love and passion for the work itself, of seeing stories come to life. What are your hobbies outside of work? Or what is something people are surprised to learn about you? Tim: People are sometimes surprised to find that I play music, and, at one point in my life, I was an honest-to-goodness professional songwriter/musician. I even had a record deal with a major record label. Hmm, what else? Aside from that, I love coffee. I love to eat and enjoy discovering new restaurants. I try to squeeze in a snowboarding trip every season. I recently came back from three weeks in Italy, so I think I caught the travel bug! But mostly, I love just hanging out and doing whatever with my wife, my son, and our pets (3 cats and a dog).