Satellite Films

Satellite Films Satellite Films is a 2022 Telly Winning full service creative strategy and video production company.

Every great story has a hero. In science, that hero isn’t the product. It’s the person. The scientist who stayed late to...
10/22/2025

Every great story has a hero. In science, that hero isn’t the product. It’s the person.

The scientist who stayed late to finish an experiment. The engineer who solved the impossible problem. The clinician who saw a patient’s relief. When we put real people at the center of a film, brands gain warmth and credibility.

Science feels less intimidating and more human. When audiences see the heart behind the discovery, they don’t just remember the data. They remember the drive.

I’ve made films that took me around the world, and worked with some incredible people.But my relatiship with my kid is w...
10/20/2025

I’ve made films that took me around the world, and worked with some incredible people.

But my relatiship with my kid is what I’m most proud of.

Parenting has challenged me in every way, and somehow filled me up with joy at the same time. It’s the hardest and the most beautiful thing I’ve ever done.

________
I’m Kuang Lee
🎥 Founder of Satellite Film and Video: Films for Life-science and Medicine.
"We Elevate the Complex"
Learn more at: satellitefilms dot us

How to Turn Complex Product Features into Value StoriesTech and life science marketers face the same challenge: too many...
10/17/2025

How to Turn Complex Product Features into Value Stories

Tech and life science marketers face the same challenge: too many features, not enough meaning.

It’s tempting to lead with specs — speed, precision, automation. But your audience doesn’t buy features; they buy outcomes. The faster assay means faster diagnosis. The automated workflow means scientists go home earlier.

We help clients translate features into value through narrative framing. Instead of “our system measures X,” we say, “this system helps researchers discover Y, faster.” It’s a small shift, but it reframes everything.

Your instruments and software already have heroic potential — you just need to give them a story worth rooting for.

Filming in an active lab feels more like listening than directing.We move quietly, stay alert, and let the science lead....
10/16/2025

Filming in an active lab feels more like listening than directing.

We move quietly, stay alert, and let the science lead.
When you film scientists doing real work, you’re not creating a scene, you’re capturing a culture of precision and care.
That respect is the foundation of every authentic life science story.

________
I’m Kuang Lee
🎥 Founder of Satellite Film and Video: Films for Life-science and Medicine.
"We Elevate the Complex"
Learn more at: satellitefilms dot us

Finding the right voice for your life science marketing animation videoWhen producing a marketing animation video, every...
10/14/2025

Finding the right voice for your life science marketing animation video

When producing a marketing animation video, every detail matters, especially the voice that delivers your message. Unlike an interview-style video with an on-screen speaker, an animation relies on narration to set the tone, establish credibility, and connect with the audience. That means choosing the right voice-over artist is a critical decision in the production process.

So how do you ensure you select the perfect voice?

At Satellite Film and Video, we collaborate closely with our clients to identify the right voice-over talent for their projects. The first step is defining the video's tone and messaging. Are you aiming for an informative and authoritative delivery? An inspiring and motivational feel? Science marketers, in particular, must balance technical accuracy with accessibility.

Gender, accent, and vocal texture also play key roles in shaping the audience’s perception of your brand. Some messages are better conveyed with a female voice, while others might benefit from a male narrator. In highly technical fields, a confident and articulate voice can help establish authority and trust.

Defining the tone and messaging. We work with our clients to pinpoint the exact feel of the video, ensuring the narration aligns with the overall marketing strategy.

Casting with purpose. We audition over a hundred voice-over artists, filtering candidates based on tone, style, and clarity, narrowing the selection to a top five that best match the project’s needs. As shown in the image below, we create internal shortlists to ensure we present only the most suitable options to our clients.

Client review and selection. We present the top options, along with our expert recommendation, to help our clients make an informed decision. The image showcases an example of how we document and organize our voice-over casting process, ensuring every choice aligns with the project's unique requirements.

Live direction session. Once the talent is selected, we typically conduct a live-read session where we provide real-time direction to ensure nuances and industry-specific terminology are delivered well.

For brands in life sciences and technology, the right voice-over can mean the difference between engagement and disinterest. A well-matched voice enhances comprehension, maintains viewer interest, and reinforces credibility.
Whether you're explaining a breakthrough innovation or showcasing a new lab instrument, the right voice helps ensure your story is not just heard, but truly understood.

What’s been your experience with voice-overs in animation videos? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

________
I’m Kuang Lee
🎥 Founder of Satellite Film and Video: Films for Life-science and Medicine.
"We Elevate the Complex"
Learn more at: satellitefilms dot us

From Static to Cinematic: How We Turn Stock Science Images into Full Motion StoriesScience marketers, ever wish your vid...
10/09/2025

From Static to Cinematic: How We Turn Stock Science Images into Full Motion Stories

Science marketers, ever wish your videos looked as dynamic as the breakthroughs they showcase?

In our new workflow guide (carousel below), we show how we use Midjourney to transform stock photography into cinematic science videos: perfect for product explainers, campaign visuals, or AI-enhanced promos.

Each slide in the PDF shows how we:
Start with a real scientific stock image
Use AI to generate stylistically consistent variations
Animate those stills into immersive video scenes
Combine them with light motion graphics for dynamic storytelling
This technique adds enormous creative value to existing content: turning static stock into a full visual language for your brand.

We’re now offering this as part of our AI-Enhanced Creative Production at Satellite AI (link in the Comments)

If you’re in science marketing, this PDF is your playbook for unlocking cinematic motion from your existing assets. You can also see the final video that we made from a piece of stock imagery.

________
I’m Kuang Lee
🎥 Founder of Satellite Film and Video: Films for Life-science and Medicine.
"We Elevate the Complex"
Learn more at: satellitefilms dot us

A few days ago I talked about how backdrops brought a story to life for a company rooted in defense and service. That pr...
10/08/2025

A few days ago I talked about how backdrops brought a story to life for a company rooted in defense and service. That process got me thinking about another backdrop: laboratories.
____

Take a look at the image on the left, the one on the client monitor. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? That kind of visual appeal doesn’t just happen by chance when you shoot in a lab. Important scientific work is happening there, of course, but to make it truly shine in your scientific marketing video, you need to take a few crucial steps.

1 Use lighting (if possible)

Lighting is one of the most critical elements when filming in a lab. Start by considering the color temperature of the light. A cool white temperature of around 5000-6500K typically works best for lab footage, providing a clean and professional look. However, avoid lighting that is too bright or harsh, as it can cause reflections on shiny surfaces or even damage sensitive equipment.

2 Clean up

Cleaning up a lab space might seem daunting, but it’s essential to ensure the area looks as professional and presentable as possible. Begin by removing any clutter from the shot, including unnecessary equipment or consumables. Keep only the essential elements necessary for the scene. Additionally, wipe down any surfaces that will be in the shot to remove dust or debris.

Keep in mind that many lab surfaces are reflective, which can lead to unwanted glare. Using a polarizing filter on your camera lens can help reduce glare and make the footage look more polished.

3 Cast and props

The right cast and props are crucial for creating a successful video. If you’re showcasing a scientific process, it’s important to have someone knowledgeable about the procedure in front of the camera—this could be a lab technician or scientist who is comfortable on camera and fluent in discussing the process.
For a more general marketing video, consider using an actor. Choose someone who fits the part and can convincingly portray the role you’re showcasing.

Props can also be instrumental in demonstrating the process you’re highlighting. For example, if you’re illustrating a PCR reaction, having a clear model of the reaction can help the viewer understand the process better.

In summary, filming in a lab requires careful attention to lighting, cleanliness, and casting. By following these tips, you can create high-quality footage that effectively showcases your scientific work. Good luck with your video!
___

I’m Kuang Lee
🎥 Founder of Satellite Film and Video: Films for Life-science and Medicine.
"We Elevate the Complex"
Learn more at: satellitefilms dot us
Satellite Film and Video

The Background Matters as Much as the ForegroundWhen it comes to interviews, the backdrop isn’t just decoration, it’s pa...
10/06/2025

The Background Matters as Much as the Foreground

When it comes to interviews, the backdrop isn’t just decoration, it’s part of the story.

For this interview with our client, we wanted to connect the company’s present-day mission to its roots in defense and service. The imagery behind our subject, drawn from the iconic flag raising at Iwo Jima in World War II, reinforces that story while staying subtle and respectful.

We also had to work in a tight space. By lighting the subject with warm tones and the background with cooler tones, we created separation and depth. The result? A cinematic look that feels expansive, even when the space is small.
Every detail, from lighting to backdrop, is in service of the story. Because in filmmaking, the background speaks as loudly as the person in front of it.

Client: Albers Aerospace
Agency: Satellite Film and Video
Director: Kuang Lee
DP: James Drake

________
I’m Kuang Lee
🎥 Founder of Satellite Film and Video: Films for Life-science and Medicine.
"We Elevate the Complex"
Learn more at: satellitefilms dot us

Why Drama Matters in Life Science MarketingHumans are hardwired for stories. Even the most scientifically literate audie...
10/02/2025

Why Drama Matters in Life Science Marketing

Humans are hardwired for stories. Even the most scientifically literate audiences can struggle to connect emotionally with raw data. Storytelling bridges metrics and emotion, transforming complex ideas into something relatable and memorable.

Here's an image from a film we produced for an Animal Hospital. The film resonated not because of the medical data, but because of its human story.
Think about the last time you truly remembered a data point. Chances are, it was wrapped in a story—a patient’s journey, a groundbreaking scientific achievement, or a discovery that changed lives.

By "drama," I don’t mean exaggeration, I mean emotional relevance. That’s what brings data to life.

Identify the Human Element:
Behind every dataset lies a human story. Whether it's the impact of a new medical device on patient outcomes or the potential for a groundbreaking drug to improve lives, start by identifying the human impact behind your data. Who benefits? What’s at stake? Making your audience care starts by showing them why they should.

Simplify Without Sacrificing Accuracy:
Life sciences data can be incredibly complex. Use visual metaphors, analogies, and relatable comparisons to simplify. For example, instead of just stating survival rate improvements, visualize it through analogies. "Imagine a stadium filled with survivors who benefited from a new treatment." This helps the audience grasp scale and impact intuitively.

Visual Storytelling Techniques:
Visual storytelling like animated data visualizations and motion graphics clarifies complex information while maintaining scientific accuracy. These tools ensure your core message remains persuasive and visually engaging.

In life science marketing, turning data into drama is essential for forging meaningful connections. By focusing on the human impact, simplifying complex concepts, and leveraging visual storytelling, you can transform raw numbers into unforgettable narratives.

Just like in our Animal Hospital film, it wasn’t the medical details that moved the audience, it was the story behind them.

________
I’m Kuang Lee
🎥 Founder of Satellite Film and Video: Films for Life-science and Medicine.
"We Elevate the Complex"
Learn more at: satellitefilms dot us

Just me in the kitchen, showing off my latest recipe: a brand-new website.Our AI capablities are fresh out of the oven, ...
09/29/2025

Just me in the kitchen, showing off my latest recipe: a brand-new website.

Our AI capablities are fresh out of the oven, built to serve up AI-powered, biotech-ready, human-led storytelling.

Not bad for a home-cooked launch.

Sharing some thoughts on Bottom of Funnel Video Content for Scientific Audiences:When your buyer is nearing a decision, ...
09/25/2025

Sharing some thoughts on Bottom of Funnel Video Content for Scientific Audiences:

When your buyer is nearing a decision, they’re balancing logic with risk. They want to be confident they’re choosing the right vendor and that your solution will deliver as promised.

Bottom-funnel video content is about de-risking the decision. This is where science meets strategy.

Case Study Videos:
Think of these as visual white papers. Showcase a successful deployment in a research lab, clinic, or pharma workflow.
Include metrics: time saved, error rate reduced, publications supported.
Don’t shy away from technical detail—that’s what builds credibility.

Visual Ideas: Before/after process diagrams, charts showing ROI, or animated overlays of improved throughput.

Onboarding Walkthroughs:
One of the biggest barriers to buying is fear of complexity. Film a new client’s first 30 days: delivery, setup, training, troubleshooting. Feature your support team and how they assist researchers. Include real timelines, integration examples, and outcomes.

Format Tip: Use a documentary style with timestamps and client quotes. Think of it as a "day in the life" of post-purchase success.

ROI Explainers That Quantify Value:
When procurement is involved, emotion won’t cut it. Show the math.
Highlight the specific ways your product reduces cost, time, or labor.
Use motion graphics to walk through hypothetical or real cost-savings models.
Consider voiceover from a product manager or applications scientist.

At the bottom of the funnel, it’s not about inspiration. It’s about proof. Use data, clarity, and confidence to nudge your buyer from "maybe" to "yes."
And always end with a smart CTA: book a demo, download a spec sheet, or schedule a consult. The clearer the next step, the faster the decision.

________
I’m Kuang Lee
🎥 Founder of Satellite Film and Video: Films for Life-science and Medicine.
"We Elevate the Complex"
Learn more at: satellitefilms dot us

Our first production with airplanes.Working with airplanes adds a whole new layer to production: precision timing, coord...
09/22/2025

Our first production with airplanes.

Working with airplanes adds a whole new layer to production: precision timing, coordination with air control, and of course the skill of the pilot, all while making sure the story looks as good on screen as it feels in the moment.
From the cockpit shots to ramp-side conversations, this was a shoot that kept us on our toes and reminded us how much fun it is to push into new territory.

Thanks for the opportunity, Albers Aerospace, and the great production support, James Drake.

Agency: Satellite Film and Video
Client: Albers Aerospace
Director: Kuang Lee
DP: James Drake

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Satellite Films

Satellite Films is a full service creative strategy and video production company that combines storytelling scope with technology know-how. We can translate and amplify your company’s message into powerful video with our twenty years of storytelling and creative experience.

Kuang Lee, a member of Writers Guild of America West, has written television dramas, feature films, and best-in-class television advertising. He combines that experience with numerous content creation roles in Fortune 50 companies to further your message. Kuang’s first feature film, BUDDY SOLITAIRE, is distributed by Gravitas Ventures.