Hulu Upfront

Client: Hulu | Agency: Stun Creative | Role: Senior Producer

The Details

I had the opportunity to produce stage graphics for the Hulu Upfront show two years in a row, helping bring the brand’s biggest announcements to life in front of a live audience.

In the first year, the show featured 17 uniquely shaped LED screens, which presented a major creative and technical challenge in adapting 16:9 content. Working closely with our animation team and the stage content producer, we developed an engaging, synchronized experience where each screen was individually mapped and programmed to follow the speaker’s flow, pushing the limits of the system while finding smart, out-of-the-box solutions for layering and timing.

In the second year, Hulu invited us back, and the stage setup evolved to a larger, wider screen, giving us the opportunity to create more cinematic and dynamic graphics that showcased Hulu’s expanding content slate.

My Role

As the Senior Producer for both years, I developed a thorough understanding of the live graphics software, playback limitations, and layering process. I was deeply involved in testing and QC’ing every single asset and layer we delivered across both shows.

I made sure my team had the tools, knowledge, and support they needed to succeed in creating these intricate graphics. I also managed an on-site animation team at MSG, working closely with Hulu executives during rehearsals to accommodate script changes and make real-time adjustments.

Throughout the process, I focused on managing and mitigating the high-pressure moments that come with live production so my team could stay focused, confident, and deliver their best work.

Fun Facts

  • We delivered over 1000+ layered assets for each of the live shows, all in multiple drives, backups and online systems.

  • Internet conection at MSG was not good and most of the work on the first upfront year was done offline and on-site, with a five-person animation team working union hours.

  • Our first bulk delivery was flawless but there were a lot of exec changes during rehearsals, so the very last graphic was delivered just two hours before the live show started for the first year.