Swirl Studios is a mashup of brand experience experts, design junkies and veteran TV people who collectively love content.
We're kinda weird, massively invested and intimately strategic with every detail of crafting content for brands that tells your stories.
We're kinda weird, massively invested and intimately strategic with every detail of crafting content for brands that tells your stories.
the team
ABBEY LEVINE,
CEO & Head of Content What's your go-to show right now? On Facebook Watch: Returning the Favor. Programming that emphasizes bad ass, positive people who get rewarded. I'm in! On Netflix: End of the F*** World. Hilarious. Dry. Vulnerable characters that overemphasize how awkward growing up can be. A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head: Dove Real Beauty - Sketches. Graceful pace. Genius concept. Generous message. Cast is relatable. Lighting is perfect. No hard sell and yet you always remembered this is a Dove commercial. Still cry every time. Love yourself! Favorite Superhero? The Greatest American Hero. He was so human and so bad at being a superhero, yet somehow always winning. You're routing for him. And. The best theme song in the history of theme songs. "Believe it or not I'm walking on air, I never thought I could be so free...eee..eee..". And Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, obvi. Podcasts you like or subscribe to: This American Life, 2 Dope Queens, Modern Love What game show would you like to be on? Lip Sync Battle!! So. Bad! What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about? IG stories. Love seeing what silliness people create with some simple graphics and their camera cause being a voyeur is fun. |
SERENE BYNUM,
Executive Producer What's your go-to show right now? Killing Eve on the BBC. It has strong female leads. Sandra Oh’s hair - OMG! I WANT!! And it’s shot really well. A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head: Mentos - The Freshmaker! I have long had a love/hate relationship with these commercials. They are brilliant in that they make absolutely no sense to the product they are selling, but you remember the spots and you remember the product. Much like life, they are ridiculous, but they work. (Crap, I just broke my heal! No worries, I’ll just pop a Mentos! All good!!) Favorite Superhero? Groot. Because, well, "I am Groot". (His bio is worth a read!) Podcasts you like or subscribe to: I’m juggling these right now: Throughline Reply All More Perfect What game show would you like to be on? Can I be on two?? YES, YES I CAN!!! PRESS YOUR LUCK - Seems like my life mantra! But I also have always wanted to shout - BIG MONEY! NO WHAMMIES!!! PYRAMID - I just love the element of having to be in sync with your partner and know their language! What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about? Instagram Stories and IGTV |
JANINE FECZKO
Senior Editor What's your go-to show right now? Schitt's Creek and waiting with bated breath for the next season of Handmaid's Tale. A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head: Where's the Beef, obvi. Favorite Superhero? Ruth Bader Ginsberg Podcasts you like or subscribe to: I loved Serial and Hearts of Space is fave at home! What game show would you like to be on? Jeopardy...no, no, that one you can win a million bucks for knowing trivia What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about? Everything streaming! |
JEANNE MARIE BREMER,
LA Executive Producer What's your go-to show right now? Ozark.....You do not f*ck with Michael Bluth. In fact, i still will pull up some Arrested Development any day of the week. A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head: All the State Farm ones with “Mayhem.” Probably because i have a crush on the actor who plays “Mayhem.” It’s cool, my husband knows and laughs every time one of the commercials comes on... Favorite Superhero? My Mom and Dad Podcasts you like or subscribe to: Dana Gould hour, bitch sesh and You Must Remember This. However, i am always on the hunt for a new podcast. What game show would you like to be on? Card Sharks and the old- school Wheel of Fortune (where you could buy stuff from the showcases with your winnings). What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about? Instagram stories, chatboxes (can never get customer service on the phone) and recently, more social awareness and support |
GABRIELA AFFONSECA,
Art Director What's your go-to show right now? Jout Jout, an amazing Brazilian youtuber who talks about important subjects that most people feel uncomfortable discussing it, like racism, body-image, homophobia, abusive relationships, male chauvinism and so forth, in a very open and unpretentious way. A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head: From my childhood, the commercials that are stuck in my head are all because of their music. There is one that I used to love the music and would sing every time I was making popcorns, specially with my friends and my father. This commercial was from a Brazilian soda, Guaraná, and the song was about the great combination of Guaraná and popcorn. It worth noting that I’ve never drink, neither liked any king of soda, but the song was super fun and the popcorn + butter images… almost hypnotizing. See it here. Another one that worth mentioning, that not only was stuck on my head for a while, was also a huge success and every child would want Parmalat products (dairy brand) to collect the bar codes that could be exchanged to stuffed animal toys. The commercial was extremely cute and the song was great. See that one here. Favorite Superhero? Batman Podcasts you like or subscribe to: Brute Strength, UXPodcast, The Observatory, and Design Matters. What game show would you like to be on? American Ninja Warrior What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about? Definitely augmented reality |
MR. PAULIE MEATBALLS, Morale
What's your go-to show right now? Anything on Animal Planet A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head: Snausages! Favorite Superhero? Super Dog...of course! Podcasts you like or subscribe to: Doggie Day Afternoons What game show would you like to be on? Anything that involves treats What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about? Wags & Walks Insta |
GO-TO CREW
CHRISTOPHER FLORES, Director of Photography
What's your go-to show right now?
I recently started watching Godless on Netflix. I love drinking a good bourbon while watching a beautifully shot western. Pew Pew.
A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head:
Theres so many good ones. This past 2018 Super Bowl had a Payton Manning spot at Universal Studios Orlando. It was a fun moment when it aired because I was sitting with my best friend who actually shot most of that commercial and he had no idea it was going to air Super Bowl Sunday. Kinda cool.
Favorite Superhero?
Hands down, my son Tyler. He's 19 months and has taught me so much. God knowns he's saved me.
Podcasts you like or subscribe to:
I like to learn more about my craft whenever I can and there are a few good podcasts out there that I nerd out to. Shane Hurlbut is a DP out of Los Angeles who has some great insight on camera and lighting. Him and his wife do a podcast together which is cool.
What game show would you like to be on?
The Amazing Race
What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about?
I Love watching short stories with real people incorporating a certain brand in their lives without the brand being shoved down your throat. YETI coolers has a great and beautifully shot series called YETI Presents. A look at everyday people who spend most of their time outside and YETI is there for the ride.
I recently started watching Godless on Netflix. I love drinking a good bourbon while watching a beautifully shot western. Pew Pew.
A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head:
Theres so many good ones. This past 2018 Super Bowl had a Payton Manning spot at Universal Studios Orlando. It was a fun moment when it aired because I was sitting with my best friend who actually shot most of that commercial and he had no idea it was going to air Super Bowl Sunday. Kinda cool.
Favorite Superhero?
Hands down, my son Tyler. He's 19 months and has taught me so much. God knowns he's saved me.
Podcasts you like or subscribe to:
I like to learn more about my craft whenever I can and there are a few good podcasts out there that I nerd out to. Shane Hurlbut is a DP out of Los Angeles who has some great insight on camera and lighting. Him and his wife do a podcast together which is cool.
What game show would you like to be on?
The Amazing Race
What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about?
I Love watching short stories with real people incorporating a certain brand in their lives without the brand being shoved down your throat. YETI coolers has a great and beautifully shot series called YETI Presents. A look at everyday people who spend most of their time outside and YETI is there for the ride.
SAM SCHMITZ, Director of Photography
What's your go-to show right now? Black Mirror
A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head: Ralph Lauren Polo Ultra Blue ft. Luke Rockhold
Favorite Superhero? Batman, Definitely.
Podcasts you like or subscribe to: JRE!
What game show would you like to be on? Jeopardy!
What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about?
I'm a sucker for good memes. The meta-awareness combined with simplistic creativity always surprises me.
A commercial (from childhood or not) that's stuck in your head: Ralph Lauren Polo Ultra Blue ft. Luke Rockhold
Favorite Superhero? Batman, Definitely.
Podcasts you like or subscribe to: JRE!
What game show would you like to be on? Jeopardy!
What media trend are you fanboy/girl crazy about?
I'm a sucker for good memes. The meta-awareness combined with simplistic creativity always surprises me.