Jack Vaughan Podcast

Today I'm speaking with Justin Taylor, editor, motion designer, and founder of [Hyper Brew](https://hyperbrew.co), a company that builds plugins and automation tools for creative teams.

If you listened to my conversation with Adam Plouff, you'll know that Adam builds many of his tools on top of something Justin created called the [Bolt frameworks](https://github.com/hyperbrew). Adam makes the tools. Justin makes the tools the tool makers use.

This episode goes deeper into the development side than most. We talk about what "pipeline" actually means at studios like Buck, how the Adobe plugin landscape evolved from expressions to CEP to UXP, and how Justin turned open source into a business model. If that's not your world, the conversation opens with his journey from churning out product videos to automating the boring parts, and closes with where video tooling is headed (AI, Figma acquiring Weavy, and whether we'll all be writing our own tools soon).

## Topics Discussed

- From shooting product videos to automating the edits in Premiere Pro
- Working at Verasity CoLab and sharing tools with a mid-size video team
- Getting ProIO on aescripts and meeting Lloyd Alvarez
- Meeting Zack Lovatt at SIGGRAPH and the Adobe dev community
- Working at Buck as a creative technologist on pipeline development
- What "pipeline" actually means at studios like Buck
- Building tools for Cinema 4D, Figma, Nuke, Maya, and Houdini
- The early days of Adobe plugin development before proper documentation existed
- Going full-time with Hyper Brew
- The tagline evolution from "software solutions for video" to "we automate the boring"
- Working with Eric Moore from Brand Autopsy on messaging
- Adobe Video Partner Program and testing beta builds
- The Adobe plugin landscape: expressions, ExtendScript, CEP, and UXP
- Why Adobe moved from CEP to UXP
- How Bolt CEP became Bolt UXP, Bolt Figma, and Bolt Express
- Getting funding from aescripts, Figma's Creators Fund, and Adobe
- Custom tools for clients: image recognition, OCR, custom captions for a sports league
- Languages used: JavaScript, C++, Rust, Python, Lua
- Why extensible tools (Premiere, After Effects, Figma) win over closed ones like Affinity
- Klutz GPT and why Hyper Brew doesn't use AI for client code
- Custom vs off-the-shelf tools: 50% vs 100%
- Remotion and agents for video
- Figma acquiring Weavy

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Justin Taylor and Hyperbrew
01:44 The Journey to Tool Development
06:42 The Evolution of ProIO and Its Impact
12:26 Building a Community and Networking
15:15 Understanding Pipeline Management in Large Agencies
23:37 The Role of Technical Directors
24:54 Transitioning to Full-Time with Hyperbrew
26:49 The Evolution of Business Taglines
29:27 Understanding Adobe Partnerships
33:03 Custom Tool Projects and Automation
37:18 Navigating API Limitations in Video Tools
41:28 The Importance of Extensibility in Software
43:54 The Adobe Plugin Landscape Explained
48:59 The Development of Bolt and Open Source Contributions
55:35 The Evolution of Open Source Projects
58:51 The Benefits of Open Source Development
01:01:12 Custom vs. Off-the-Shelf Tools
01:01:13 AI in Custom Tool Development
01:04:32 The Future of Video Tools and AI
01:15:37 HyperBrew's Vision and Future Projects

Learn more about Danny at https://www.dannyperry.me 
Learn more about the podcast at ⁠https://jackvaughan.com

Today I’m speaking with Danny Perry — Founder of Plugin Play — historically a plugin development company and just recently expanding to be a new marketplace for motion and video pros.

We spoke about

- How AI development has evolved in his organization — particularly agentic-accelerating dev and org speed.
- Comparing dev & motion - and the need for similar support/agentic power
- What it would take to get motion to this point-agentic editing & motion
- AI in products
- Future of Plugin Play and bringing a new marketplace of tools to the community

By the time this podcast goes out, Danny will have launched the new chapter for Plugin Play, and I'm really excited to see where it leads.

Summary (AI generated)

In this conversation, Jack Vaughan speaks with Danny Perry, founder of Plugin Play, about the evolution of the company and its integration of AI in motion design and development. They discuss the impact of AI on productivity, the importance of customer feedback in feature development, and the future of motion design tools. Danny emphasizes the need for project files in generative AI and the challenges posed by the lack of training data. They also explore the development landscape for motion graphics and the significance of UI design in creating effective tools. In this conversation, Jack Vaughan and Danny discuss the intricacies of building web tools, particularly in the context of motion graphics and UI design. They explore the challenges of creating user-friendly interfaces, the interdisciplinary nature of motion and code, and the future of software development with AI integration. Danny shares insights on the upcoming projects for Plugin Play, emphasizing the need for a cohesive platform for motion tools and the importance of user feedback in shaping their offerings. The discussion also touches on the evolving landscape of software development and the role of AI in enhancing creative workflows.

Chapters (AI generated)

00:00 The Evolution of AI in Development
07:29 Transforming Daily Operations with AI
13:24 Agentic Editing and the Need for Project Files
19:17 Integrating AI with Editing Software
25:24 The Journey of a Motion Graphics Entrepreneur
38:49 Building Proprietary Platforms and Tools
43:57 Transforming Long-Form Content into Short-Form
49:10 Transitioning to UXP: A New Development Framework
55:56 UI Design and User Experience in Motion Graphics
01:09:46 The Power of Real-Time Feedback in Motion Design
01:16:06 AI and Automation in Video Editing
01:23:39 The Role of Plugin Play in a Crowded Market
01:29:23 The Evolution of Software Development and Human Oversight

Learn more about Antonino at https://antoninoiacona.it
Learn more about the podcast at ⁠https://jackvaughan.com

Today I’m speaking with Antonino Iacona — motion designer & director. Antonino has worked at Apple, Google Creative Lab and is now running Studio Santo.

We spoke about:
How Apple shaped his craft through slow, iterative, detail-obsessed design.
The experimental mindset he developed at Google Creative Lab — and why ideas, not tools, come first.
What it means to design "motion with intent", and why expressive and functional motion must work in tandem.
The way he and his co-founder Ben work — blending motion and design from the start.
And a discussion around the value or product that Studio Santo actually delivers to its clients. Not finished mp4s — but more like motion systems & identities — flexible, collaborative toolkits.

Summary (AI generated)

In this conversation, Antonino Iacona, a motion designer and co-founder of Studio Santo, shares insights from his experiences at Apple and Google Creative Lab. He discusses the importance of crafting motion design with intent, the collaborative design process at Studio Santo, and the balance between expressive and functional motion. Antonino also reflects on the evolving role of AI in design and the future direction of his studio.

Chapters (AI generated)

00:00 Introduction and Title Clarification
04:58 Key Projects at Apple
14:53 Collaboration and Client Engagement
17:36 Expressive vs Functional Motion
21:12 Navigating Language and Comfort in Communication
23:44 Transitioning to Google Creative Lab
26:08 The Role of Prototyping in Innovation
26:32 Defining a Motion Designer's Role
30:08 Tools and Techniques in Motion Design
31:47 The Role of AI in Design
34:24 Future Directions for Studio Santo

Learn more about Justin at https://www.youtube.com/@CleoAbram
Learn more about the podcast at ⁠https://jackvaughan.com

Today I’m speaking with Justin Poore — an animator and the producer of Huge if True — a show by Cleo Abram that’s had a ton of attention and engagement over the last few years, recently reaching 6 million subscribers on YouTube.

Cleo is one of the fastest growing YouTube channels about tech and science, and Justin’s work plays a huge part in it.

We spoke about:
- The origins of Justin and Cleo’s collaboration
- The team they have
- Their processes for pitching, script writing, on-set production, and more
- What they’ve learned about engagement on social media — and they really know!
- Their strategy around shorts and repurposing content
- And of course, a deep dive into Justin’s skillset as an animator and producer

Summary (AI generated)

In this conversation, Justin Poore, animator and producer of the YouTube show Huge If True, discusses the rapid growth of the channel, the creative processes behind their engaging content, and the importance of audience connection. He shares insights into their collaborative work, the evolution of their team, and the strategies that have contributed to their success. Justin also delves into the technical aspects of animation, the impact of short-form content, and the exciting experiences from field shoots. Looking ahead, he expresses enthusiasm for the future of Huge If True and the potential for further growth.

Chapters (AI generated)

00:00 Introduction to Justin Poore and Huge If True
00:51 Scripting and Storytelling Techniques
11:25 Story Selection and Idea Generation
13:53 Team Structure and Roles
17:00 Engagement Strategies and Early Success
19:59 Shorts and Content Repurposing
22:25 Field Shoots and On-Site Experiences
25:06 Approaching Big Organizations for Collaborations
27:31 Design and Animation Style
35:27 The Animation Process: From Sketch to Screen
38:24 Design Principles in Animation
39:33 Exploring 3D Animation Techniques
41:15 Rendering Challenges and Solutions
43:46 The Production Workflow: Animation and Review
45:04 Utilizing Assets: Stock vs. Custom Models
46:55 The Art of 3D Modeling and Rigging
48:05 Tools of the Trade: Software and Techniques
52:06 Engagement Strategies for Content Creation
56:22 Looking Ahead: The Future of Huge of True

Today I’m speaking with Grant Shaddick, CEO of Tella. Tella is a recording and editing tool that is totally cloud-based. It’s like Loom but more HQ, and it handles a lot of the post-production for you.
I’ve used Tella for a couple of years now and have been using it more recently as I’ve moved to more off-the-cuff production. It’s been a really delightful experience.
Grant and the team think a lot about the user experience and tow a good balance between enabling high-quality video production and keeping the tool simple. Something we spoke a lot about.
We also touched on
The deeper capabilities that LLMs are giving them — including their upcoming editing agent.
His thoughts on competitors and related tools like Descript & Underlord, Loom, Riverside and more
The platform itself and what it takes to record, edit, and share all in the cloud
The future of the platform as it relates to automation & generative AI
And the future place of video in the workplace.

Chapters (AI Generated)
00:00 The Evolution of Teller: Vision and Goals
04:59 Harnessing AI for Enhanced Video Production
08:08 The Future of Editing: Auto Layout and Beyond
11:14 Navigating Terminology: AI, Agents, and Collective Intelligence
14:05 The Role of Design in User Experience
16:54 Understanding Customer Needs and Constraints
20:06 The Importance of Focused Use Cases
23:16 Comparing with Competitors: Descript and Others
26:08 Creating a Seamless Recording Experience
29:07 The Design Process: From Chaos to Structure
32:12 Balancing Features and Simplicity in Editing
41:34 Streamlining Video Creation Processes
44:22 Enhancing User Experience in Video Recording
47:54 The Future of Video Editing with AI
50:57 Building Trust in Video Creation
54:00 The Impact of Video Tools on Knowledge Sharing
56:55 The Role of AI in Video Planning
58:49 Navigating the Ethics of AI in Content Creation
01:02:42 Ensuring Authenticity in Video Content
01:04:01 Balancing Complexity and Usability in Design
01:12:52 Optimizing Video Recording and Uploading
01:15:55 Understanding Video Storage and Upload Challenges
01:18:34 The Infrastructure Behind Video Storage
01:21:45 Enhancing Video Editing Features
01:25:42 Streamlining Video Sharing and Publishing
01:32:41 The Future of Video Automation and AI Integration

Summary (AI Generated)
In this conversation, Grant Shadick, CEO of Tella, discusses the innovative approach of Tella in simplifying high-quality video production through user-friendly design and the integration of AI. The discussion covers the importance of user experience, the role of AI in automating editing processes, and the future of video creation. Grant emphasizes the need to empower users to communicate effectively through video while maintaining a balance between simplicity and functionality in design. In this conversation, Grant and Jack explore the evolving landscape of AI in video production, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges of integrating advanced technology into user-friendly design. They discuss Tella's backend mechanics, the complexities of video editing, and the future of publishing and sharing content. The conversation also touches on the potential of automation in video communication and how AI can enhance the creative process.