Stafford Arima: Client Case Study
Directing International Audiences
PROJECT OVERVIEW
We created an official website and comprehensive portfolio sharing a storyteller’s story—from baby photos to upcoming shows.
While previous works were tucked away in separate corners of the web, an official YouTube channel and video playlists are now generating new engagement and website traffic.
As new works premiere and the digital landscape changes, we’re adding ongoing updates and improvements.
HEAR FROM THE CLIENT
“Better than Apple Support… tears of joy”
“Tony Howell is a true artist and his guidance through the whole process (including changing my email address) is better than Apple Support!
I'm slightly overwhelmed by the gloriousness of the website. It was like a child of mine was birthed. I burst out in tears of joy. It's so fabulous. I am in heaven.”
-STAFFORD ARIMA
THE JOURNEY
Stafford Arima is a trailblazer responsible for the phenomenon of Altar Boyz, and the “revisals” of musicals like Carrie and bare. He became the first Asian-Canadian director on Broadway with Allegiance in 2016 and Artistic Director of Theatre Calgary in 2019.
Fast-forward to 2023, and Stafford wanted to improve his website and digital presence. This was the catalyst for recreating StaffordArima.com: something more modern, strategic, and visual to delight audiences online. Our goal was a comprehensive portfolio that’s commercial but human, and eclectic but minimalistic. Building a website of this size presented some challenges.
CHALLENGE
When building a comprehensive portfolio, gathering all the content from various archives not only requires a lot of time and labor, but potential copyright issues.
SOLUTION
We started by backing up the existing website and curating content through a checklist in GoogleSheets, sub-folders in Dropbox, and individual YouTube playlists.
We avoided copyright issues by pulling videos from existing YouTube channels and using production photographs (versus logos) as cover art.
We avoided theft issues by reducing high-res original images to protected web-size galleries. We individually captioned every photo for those visual impairments and linked each image to the artists, creatives, and photographers engaged.
CHALLENGE
Stafford’s existing website was outdated and it was difficult to add upcoming projects and recent press.
SOLUTION
We created a “Temporary Apartment” on Squarespace to share the latest and greatest, while also garnering email and social media subscriptions.
Because we had a similar process building the portfolios of Susan Stroman and Ken Davenport, this project was completed in 10 weeks.
I’m honored and proud to share this team effort with you now. Be sure to check out the opening animation and the page transitions when browsing shows. Like every great artist, we pulled inspiration from the sources — quoting the playwrights and lyricists, and mirroring the seamless, active storytelling of a Stafford Arima production.
SERVICES
Brand Identity & Logo Animation
Website Design & Maintenance
Email Operations
YouTube Design
©Creative Social Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
RESULTS
Mobile-responsive custom website.
Self-made updates with custom video tutorials.
Automated monthly reports.
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Digital Strategy and Design
TONY HOWELL & CO.Web Development
MACK SHIRILLAPersonal Photography
TRUDIE LEE