^ Watch the final video ^

The Ask

California Symphony needed a bold, high-energy sizzle reel to build buzz and boost attendance for their annual fundraiser gala. It wasn’t just a party—it was the party of the year. My mission? Stitch together a promotional highlight reel of our past events and include enticing information about the upcoming event like showing how community-focused this event was and highlighting the featured performer, Pacific Mambo Orchestra.

Objectives

  • Capture the magic of a night filled with music, movement, and memory-making

  • Promote the Symphony’s brand as culturally rich and community-centered

  • Drive event excitement and attendance through upbeat, share-worthy video content

The Project

California Symphony needed a high-energy promotional video for their annual fundraising event, Rhythms & Revelry. The goal? Build hype, boost attendance, and capture the spirit of the celebration—without a fresh round of footage.

So, I got scrappy and strategic. Using a blend of archival video from past events, existing marketing assets, stock footage, and some well-timed animated elements, I created a dynamic promo that felt like it was shot just for this moment.

What I Did

  • Edited a custom sizzle reel to highlight the gala’s vibrant energy, community feel, and artistic flair

  • Curated and combined diverse assets—from past event footage to stock clips and motion graphics

  • Aligned visuals with brand voice by integrating logos, type, and the Symphony’s visual tone

  • Sequenced clips to music to keep the rhythm literal and emotional—because a Symphony gala should feel like a crescendo

Why It Worked

This video gave California Symphony a fresh, compelling way to promote their event without needing new filming. The final reel was:

  • Social-media ready and designed for multi-channel sharing

  • Aligned with donor outreach and fundraising materials

  • Fun, elegant, and energetic—just like the event itself

"I'm so excited for the event - I watched the video three times in a row!" – Feedback from a Symphony event volunteer

Project Snapshot

  • Tools Used: Adobe Premiere Pro, Canva, After Effects, stock libraries

  • Turnaround Time: < 1 week

  • Deliverables: 30–60 sec video formatted for Instagram, YouTube, and internal use

Stories in Motion

Stories in Motion

Stories in Motion

A digital collage of event and portrait photos displayed within colorful web browser frames. Subjects include a man in a gray suit seated in a dimly lit venue, a couple smiling in matching flannel with a cat, a woman in a graduation cap and gown celebrating in a forest, a group of adults raising drinks in a toast, an audience member applauding at a concert, and a woman smiling joyfully under gold confetti wearing a Vanderbilt shirt.

Real Moments, Beautifully Captured

A digital collage of event and portrait photos displayed within colorful web browser frames. Subjects include a man in a gray suit seated in a dimly lit venue, a couple smiling in matching flannel with a cat, a woman in a graduation cap and gown celebrating in a forest, a group of adults raising drinks in a toast, an audience member applauding at a concert, and a woman smiling joyfully under gold confetti wearing a Vanderbilt shirt.

Real Moments, Beautifully Captured

A digital collage of event and portrait photos displayed within colorful web browser frames. Subjects include a man in a gray suit seated in a dimly lit venue, a couple smiling in matching flannel with a cat, a woman in a graduation cap and gown celebrating in a forest, a group of adults raising drinks in a toast, an audience member applauding at a concert, and a woman smiling joyfully under gold confetti wearing a Vanderbilt shirt.

Real Moments, Beautifully Captured