Synema Studios

We Build Experiences

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Who We Are

Synema Studios was built on the idea that great content delivers cinematic, memorable, and engaging experiences that challenge viewers to think differently about themselves and the world around them.

Staffed by veterans of the online video, television, and traditional film industries, with decades of experience (plus a few Webby and Emmy awards) to stand on, we have collectively driven over half a billion video views on YouTube.

We’re hard at work, creating online video that viewers love, and we’re excited to find ways that our business values line up with yours, so we can connect your brand with our audiences.

Michael Aranda

Michael Aranda

Chief Executive Officer
Bio
Michael Aranda has worked in film and new media for over 15 years, bootstrapping successful projects like SciShow, Crash Course, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, and The Brain Scoop. He’s worked with high-profile clients such as Ford, Microsoft, Macmillan, and LEGO, and has channeled his talent and experience into creating a company second-to-none in craftsmanship, attention to detail, and execution.
Education
Film and Video Production – Emphasis in Directing and Screenwriting, Brooks Institute
Skills

Directing
98%

Cinematography
98%

Music Composition
89%

Eating Hamburgers
100%

Michael Morgan

Michael Morgan

Chief Financial Officer
Bio
Michael is a Korthals Wirehaired Pointing Griffon enthusiast with a passion for business management.
Education
B.S., U.S. Naval Academy
M.B.A., Vanderbilt University – Owen
Skills

Quickbooks
92%

Contract Management
85%

Grant Writing & Administration
90%

Negotiating
90%

Todd Williams

Todd Williams

Chief Marketing Officer
Bio
Todd is an award winning writer/producer, YouTube personality, and marketing guru.
Education
Multimedia and Studio Production, TDC – Ventura
Skills

Customer Service
81%

Generating Leads
85%

Charisma
90%

Having a Beard
100%

 

Abi Rein

Abi Rein

Chief Operating Officer
Bio
Abi is a transplant from the east coast with a passion for science and people. If there was a Venn Diagram of cat people vs. dog people, she’d be in the middle (though heavily skewed towards cats). Every day there is something new to learn and one day she will succeed in her quest for the world’s greatest pun.
Education
B.S. in Biological Sciences, University of Maryland Baltimore County
B.S. in Psychology, University of Maryland Baltimore County
M.A.T. in Secondary STEM Education, Stevenson University
Skills

Science Communication and Writing
92%

Lesson Planning
85%

Team Leadership
90%

Having Lots of Degrees
90%

Katelyn Salem

Katelyn Salem

Executive Producer | Web Developer
Bio
Originally from The Great Lakes State, Katelyn has moved around the country in pursuit of discovering which of her many interests she is interested in the most, and has so far failed. She sees herself as a definite jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
Education
B.S. in Geoscience, The University of Montana
Computer Science, The University of Montana
Skills

Adobe Premiere Pro
92%

HTML & CSS
85%

PHP & Javascript
70%

Building Things
65%

Kyla Pyne

Kyla Pyne

Social Media and Community Manager
Bio
Kyla is known for her love of cats, wine, pineapples, and Zac Efron. She aspires to one day get her own reality TV show for doing nothing particularly special.
Skills

Online Community Management
92%

Organizing Social Media Campaigns
85%

Team Leadership
90%

Being a Pineapple
100%

Callie Dishman

Callie Dishman

Audio Engineer
Bio
Callie makes stuff sound good and does other stuff good too. Her love of good food is only surpassed by her love of good stories. Her entire personality can be reduced to the salsa dancing emoji. I’m just happy to be here.
Education
B.A. in Audio Production, Webster University
Skills

Pro Tools 12
92%

Sound Design
85%

Live Sound Reinforcement
90%

Playing the Kazoo
90%

Josh Taira

Josh Taira

Illustrator | Animator
Bio
Despite what the actual job title says, Josh Taira is a full-time weeb with a specialty in Slice of Life. He once made the mistake of buying button-fly jeans and still kind of regrets the purchase. He also believes that animation is the pinnacle of creativity and expression and will die on that hill.
Education
B.F.A, Fine Art – Emphasis in Printmaking, The University of Montana
Skills

Adobe Illustrator
93%

Adobe Photoshop
88%

Impeccable Style
99%

Drawing the Same Face the Same Way Really Well
90%

Halisia Hubbard

Halisia Hubbard

Illustrator | Animator
Bio
Halisia is a super-super-senior at The University of Montana. Every once in a while, she releases an issue of her personal zine, “Latterly,” and her contributor-based zine, “Brine.” Halisia likes to build stories, so she thinks comics and animation are the coolest.
Education
Fine Arts and Journalism, The University of Montana
Skills

Illustration
99%

Adobe Photoshop
85%

Adobe Illustrator
82%

Making Zines
99%

Nancy Bevins

Nancy Bevins

Client Relationship Manager
Bio
Nancy Norton Bevins is an awarded writer and producer in independent films including on the team for Academy Award winning THE ARTIST. Having produced over thirty features, shorts, docs, industrials and theatrical plays she embraces creative expression.
Education
M.F.A, Loyola Marymount University
Writing Certificates, University of California
Skills

Marketing
91%

Generating Leads
98%

Charisma
90%

Wearing Fancy Jackets
92%

Logan George

Logan George

Office Assistant
Bio
Logan is known for his good jokes, good hair, and good pupper.
Education
Cedar Hall School – Christiana Tennessee
Skills

Adobe Premiere
95%

Adobe After Effects
70%

Adobe Illustrator
80%

Knowing about Apple products
99%

Juno George

Juno George

Emotional Stability Officer
Bio
Juno is a year and a half old and likes to eat snow. She enjoys long naps and watching Supernatural, in which her favorite character is Sam.
Education
Sitting & Spinning, Logan George Academy
Skills

Cuddling
91%

Licking
100%

Staring
82%

Comforting the Stressful Humans
110%