2 Minutes With ... Revolve CDs Adrian Sainsbury-Carter, Daniel Bernath, Jules Levy and Sherri Solinger

Adrian Sainsbury-Carter is partner and creative director at Revolve. He has cultivated a reputation as one of theatrical advertising’s most well-respected and award-winning editors and producers. Combining his down-to-earth business style and his creative marketing experience, he creates highly effective and influential marketing campaigns for major studios, streaming, and linear networks.

For the past seven years, partner and creative director Daniel Bernath has helped to build Revolve into an award-winning boutique agency. Also a talented musician, Bernath’s band Sumack was signed to Richard Branson’s V2 Records and as a composer, he’s scored national commercials for the likes of Budweiser and Lexus.

Jules Levy’s work in creative advertising is built on his background in production, editorial, development, design, and music—a diverse experience behind his passion for the inspiring role Entertainment plays in our lives. A creative director at Revolve, he employs the whole toolbox to constantly advance creative to most effectively and powerfully support the client—and engage the audience.

Sherri Solinger is a third-generation Angeleno, who pivoted from a sweet career as a professional musician to become an accomplished editor/creative director for the entertainment arts. Some of Sherri’s proudest achievements reflect her genuine interests, including launching political documentaries like Hillary, smart comedies like Shrill, and helping launch Orange is the New Black at the dawn of streaming.

We spent two minutes with the Revolve CDs to learn more about their background, their creative inspirations and recent work they’ve admired.

Adrian, Daniel, Jules and Sherri, tell us …

Where you grew up, and where you live now.

• Adrian: I grew up in Connecticut, and currently live in Toluca Lake with my beautiful wife, Victoria, my two daughters and two doodles.
• Daniel: I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and currently live in South Pasadena.
• Jules: I’m a rare L.A. native, not often spotted in the wild. I grew up almost midway btw the Twentieth Century and Sony lots. I’m currently living in Glassell Park with my better half, Jen—and our dog, Delilah.
• Sherri: I’m the other rare Los Angeles native at Revolve. Now I live in Pasadena.

Why you pursued a career in entertainment.

• Adrian: Interested in the Vis Arts, I studied film at Boston University—where I fell in love with the beauty of editing. Creating unsaid dialogue and juxtaposing images that illuminated new meaning was so exciting that I knew it would be my future career. I’ve been at some of the largest agencies, but I’m so fulfilled by our boutique, bespoke approach.
• Daniel: I developed a passion for music and film from a young age.
• Jules: I originally wanted to become an architect, but my ideas always pushed far beyond the structure into other design elements. I also loved movies and TV, and at some point, I realized that filmed entertainment was the combination and collaboration of all the creative arts. That’s when I knew I wanted that to be my path. I went from post to production to development to creative advertising.
• Sherri: Honestly my focus was music, but an editor friend told me that she thought musicians make great editors and that I should give it a try. I did and fell in love with it.

Three movies/TV shows you couldn’t do without.

• Adrian: Game of Thrones because of its sheer, epic nature, and of course—the Mother of Dragons. Breaking Bad because I needed to know how Walter White could survive falling deeper and deeper into that crazy, unforgiving world. And Ted Lasso, because its inspirational characters made me look at my own life.
• Daniel: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Blade Runner, and Breaking Bad are three amazing achievements in entertainment that have impacted me because THEY ARE AWESOME.
• Jules: Three of my favorites and influences are the animated Allegro Non Troppo—an edgy, Italian Fantasia. The action-packed Indiana Jones franchise, which is also my daughter’s fave (we’ve watched them all together!). The eccentric relationship drama, Insignificance, directed by the incomparable Nic Roeg. More recently, I was blown away by the riveting Watchmen series on HBO, Underground Railroad on Amazon, and Reservation Dogs on FX/Hulu. So incredibly made, and powerful.
• Sherri: The Sound of Music because it’s perfect, All the President’s Men because I’m a political junkie (and I love a good scandal/caper) and, most recently, Bad Sisters, because Sharon Horgan writing about a gaggle of sisters trying to murder their brother-in-law is hilarious.

Your favorite movie trailer or poster.

• Adrian: My favorite trailer is for Little Children. The use of sound design along with the impeccably crafted visual juxtapositions was so profound to me at the time, but it still holds up today.
• Daniel: I always loved the simplicity of the poster for Alien with that great copy line, “In space no one can hear you scream.”
• Jules: I mean, how can there be only one?! I can say 2 trailers I love from the recent past are The Handmaiden trailer, cut by the talented Anais Bimpel, and the teaser for A Cure for Wellness, which was done at Trailer Park. In terms of posters—one that immediately comes to mind is Jaws. So simple: water, swimmer, shark, title. Enough said.
• Sherri: There is this piece that CNN’s creative marketing team did for the series “The Eighties.” It’s maybe 15 seconds long and is just one shot from Miami Vice cut to “In the Air Tonight.” I remember seeing it and being so impressed that this very simple concept was able to evoke such an amazing feeling of nostalgia and excitement. That whole campaign was stellar. But really there are so many amazing cuts in the ether. I WILL give a mention to the Bad Hair teaser. It’s so so good and I learned tons of tricks from the dude that cut it. Shout out to Andy Holton!

One of your favorite projects you’ve ever worked on.

• Adrian: I’ve worked on so many amazing projects over the past 29 years, but my absolute favorite may be the Black Hawk Down Trailer. It marked a turning point in my career, where I started working on higher profile and tent-pole campaigns.
• Daniel: Launching Modern Family was a cool experience. We knew the series was great, but getting the opportunity to market it to the masses and watch it become a smash hit was special and rewarding.
• Jules: The Hunger Games franchise, films 2-4. Over two-and-a-half years straight through teasers, trailers, TVs, creative content and GFX for the last three films, collaborating closely with John Fu, Tim Muraviov and Tim Palen at Lionsgate. I also traveled to Paris to help creative direct two special shoot teasers for Mockingjay Part 1, with a stand-alone film crew. One of the most personally and professionally rewarding experiences of my life.
• Sherri: Orange is the New Black. It was truly the Wild West of streaming. We were able to break the rules and take some chances. And, as a bonus, the show turned out to be a hit. But also, Hillary. Again, I’m a political junkie. I was fortunate enough to go to an event where I was in the same room (in the way, way back of a big ballroom) as Hillary, who was watching the trailer I cut for the documentary about her. It was wild.

A recent project you’re proud of.

• Adrian: I’m truly proud of every project I work on because they all come with new and exciting challenges that keep me engaged and motivated.
• Daniel: It’s always cool to work on a show you’re a fan of, so creating the trailers for the past two seasons of FX’s What We Do In The Shadows has been super fun, challenging and satisfying.
• Jules: We recently worked on a trailer—our first for a client and platform. However, the project was pulled due to budget constraints before we even presented v.1. But we felt the cut only needed a day of producing to be solid to present, and at least show them what we could do—so we spent the day polishing and sent it off. The client loved it so much that we got the project back exclusively and finished the trailer and more on the campaign. A great example of the importance of a dogged work ethic, pure belief and relationship building. Doesn’t always pay off immediately, but it’s always worth it.
• Sherri: We did a Knight Rider-themed music video for John Roberts. It was insane and hilarious and so different from what we normally do as creative marketers.

One thing about how entertainment marketing is evolving that you’re excited about.

• Adrian: Over almost 30 years, I’ve witnessed a massive shift in editorial style and creativity. But now, with today’s phone apps geared towards editing one’s life to be perceived a certain way, it’s created a new breed of editor whose brain seems to be wired differently, digesting audiovisual info much differently than previous generations in the business. It’s very exciting and I’m proud to help mentor and work beside them.
• Daniel: Entertainment itself is becoming more and more diverse and it’s exciting and interesting to get the opportunity to promote these more global offerings to audiences hungry for new content.
• Jules: I love how important music and sound design has become. “Trailer music” has been elevated to such high quality. And the way we now use commercial cues more and more—reimagining them for the creative in new ways. The audioscape reaches people emotionally, and it’s exhilarating to work in that space.
• Sherri: I think with the advent of social media, especially with the pace and popularity where we see it now, the ability to create really cool short, wacky and completely out-there ideas and then make those ideas interactive and/or experiential is special.

Someone else’s work, in entertainment or beyond, that you admired lately.

• Adrian: This young woman named Karen X on Instagram, who posts these amazing visual effects using fairly basic equipment. Very inspiring.
• Daniel: I just rewatched Being John Malkovich. Charlie Kaufman is such a genius writer.
• Jules: I admire the work of so many of our peers at other agencies and on the client side. Some of whom I’ve collaborated with previously, others whom I’ve never even met. I’m constantly humbled and awed by work I feel is better than I’ve ever done or maybe could ever do. But it inspires and motivates me to keep growing and striving to create even greater creative.
• Sherri: This dude Gabe who is a woodworker. He did some work on my house so I had the chance to go to his shop where he creates the most incredible wood furniture.

A book, movie, TV show or podcast you recently found inspiring.

• Adrian: To Kill a Mockingbird (no eye rolls please). Most of us are familiar with this book, but I recently had the pleasure of reading it again with my teenage daughter. The themes of standing up for what’s right reinspired my admiration for the novel, as I saw it through my daughter’s lens.
• Daniel: Season 2 of The Bear was very inspiring on many levels. Seriously top-notch writing, directing, acting, music choices, editorial—I could go on.
• Jules: I just read the novel, The Mountain in the Sea, by Ray Nayler, which is about consciousness—human, humanoid and octopus. It’s part sci-fi, part philosophy, part thriller and partly a climate change and AI warning shot across the bow. It’s one of the most thought-provoking books I’ve ever read.
• Sherri: About six months ago on a whim, I read Stephen King’s Fairytale. It’s unlike most of his stories in that it’s not horror. It’s more of a beautiful/dark fantasy fairytale. Also, a dog is one of the main characters and it’s hard to go wrong there.

A visual artist or band/musician you admire.

• Adrian: Oh wow, there are way too many to list. I truly admire every artist who puts their heart and soul into their craft.
• Daniel: Wet Leg. They’re such a good, young band with an effortlessly fun swagger. Check ’em out!
• Jules: Favorite band: Zeppelin. Recently obsessed with her music: Noga Erez. A visual artist I definitely admire is Shwalami, which is a collaboration of two lifelong friends, one of which is my brother, Joshua. A theatrical advertising sound mixer 24/7, he has never forsaken his visual artistic side and drive—and somehow always makes time and space to express that. It’s inspiring!
• Sherri: Thinking of just one makes my brain hurt.

Your favorite fictional character.

• Adrian: Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Despite facing animosity and rejection, Atticus defended righteousness against all odds. An amazing theme to live by.
• Daniel: It’s a tie between Han Solo and Indiana Jones. So basically, Harrison Ford.
• Jules: Could be Bond. James Bond. For the wardrobe, gadgets, cars and wit.
• Sherri: Oh my! Tough to choose. I’m just going narrow it down to someone from this past year—everyone’s favorite vacationer—Tanya McQuoid.

Someone worth following in social media.

• Adrian: @revolveagency—Everyone should be following Revolve Agency.
• Daniel: @artistic_viral
• Jules: @jamieleecurtis, who very well may have invented Instagram.
• Sherri: @officialcharo

Your main strength as a marketer/creative.

• Adrian: I continue to actively edit, as well as produce and creative direct. I love telling stories, and never get tired of creating new meaning with dialogue and visuals taken out of context, as well as finding the perfect jump, smash or match on an action cut. My job never gets boring.
• Daniel: Coming up with off-the-wall ideas.
• Jules: Collaboration combined with a good dose of humanity. Being human is what connects us, whether as teammates, with our clients, or the audience.
• Sherri: I’m all about getting emotion out of a cut with music—no matter the genre. I love that part of the creative.

Your biggest weakness.

• Adrian: McConnell’s salted caramel chip ice cream—LOL.
• Daniel: Pushing the envelope TOO far.
• Jules: Clearly it’s my inability to answer questions with shorter sentences! And chocolate.
• Sherri: Pitbull puppies

Something people would find surprising about you.

• Adrian: I’m quite the handyman and own more tools than most contractors. When I’m not editing, you can usually find me working on my house or in the yard.
• Daniel: I do yoga.
• Jules: I once snuck past the Vatican Swiss Guard to see the Pope.
• Sherri: I take trumpet lessons.

One thing that always makes you happy.

• Adrian: Waking up next to my beautiful wife every morning.
• Daniel: Seeing a beautiful L.A. sunset.
• Jules: A dog beach. Our dog, Delilah, is her most confident, at ease, and happy at a beach. Experiencing that with her is my own rudimentary therapy.
• Sherri: Fall weather

One thing that always makes you sad.

• Adrian: Today’s divisive political climate. Everyone is free to believe what they want, but the divisions it has created within friendships and families is heartbreaking.
• Daniel: Homelessness
• Jules: War—like what’s happening in the Middle East and Ukraine right now. I have family from there so it’s especially gut-wrenching, but so is war anywhere.
• Sherri: I’m pretty sad about the state of the world at the moment.

What you’d be doing if you weren’t in entertainment.

• Adrian: I’d probably be flipping houses. I love the renovation process, as it’s a lot like editing a movie trailer.
• Daniel: Probably some other creative endeavor involving art or design.
• Jules: Maybe opening restaurants. Providing something delicious for other people to enjoy together, and hopefully love and remember—just like creative advertising. Plus, I’d be used to the hours already.
• Sherri: Restoring really old houses to their original splendor.