SDM Studios

Welcome to SDM Studios. We create cinematic shorts for YOU and YOUR business or brand. No matter what you do—restaurants, retail, design, fashion, medicine, fitness, weddings, anything—our films capture it in a way that’s chef’s-table-meets-HBO-films. Think of it as an epic movie trailer for what you offer the world.

Use it on your social media, website, send to prospective clients, just stare at them to remind yourself of the awesome work you do.

See what our clients are saying about SDM Studios:

“San Diego Magazine absolutely killed it with their film about El Barbecue! As soon as it dropped, our sales, social media interactions, followers, all dramatically increased.” — Ami Cisneros, owner, El Barbecue

“At Cardellino we sold out of cinnamon rolls by 11:00 a.m. on Sunday—a new record. Guests were talking to their servers about seeing your video and coming in! Thanks, seriously.” — Lauren Winget, Marketing Director, Trust Restaurant Group

Next-Level Storytelling Formats

We offer three next-level storytelling formats to meet your business objectives: Favorite Things, The Big Open and The People Of.

Favorite Things

Favorite Things uses beautiful video to showcase the most compelling things that you make. It could be a dish, a chair, a jacket, a candle, a deck of novelty cards. Set to music or professional voice over, or both. Our team will work with you every step of the way until your compelling thing shines.

Herb and Wood

Herb & Wood’s Favorite Things’ video played over 31,000 times on San Diego Magazine‘s Instagram feed. It garnered high engagement with 140 shares and 49 saves.

• Plays: 31,560
• Likes: 517
• Comments: 15
• Shares: 140
• Saves: 49

The Belly Up

The Belly Up created an amazing venue that’s thrived for decades and people are still talking about it. Their Favorite Things video was viewed 55,800 times and drove 2,067 likes.

• Views: 55,803
• Likes: 2,067
• Comments: 92
• Saves: 92

The Big Open

People turn to San Diego Magazine for new things to explore. Opening a new business? Debuting a rebrand or remodel? Unveiling a new product? Create a movie trailer for your opening or new thing that generates the buzz it deserves.

Kimpton Alma

Kimpton opened the doors to their freshly redesigned hotel and showed San Diego Magazine around. More than 22,300 viewed the new surroundings, 160 shared with friends for their next staycation get-a-way positioning Kimpton Amal for successful Big Open!

• Plays: 22,336
• Likes: 486
• Shares: 140
• Saves: 68

Mister A’s

Mister A’s video was met with impressive engagement from San Diego Magazine’s Instagram audience with 94,000 plays, 2,844 shares and 422 saves. Consider this, if 10% of the followers who saved the Reel visit Mr. A’s and spend $200 on a dinner for two, Mr. A’s would see an ROI of $8,440!

• Plays: 93,726
• Likes: 4,033
• Comments: 97
• Shares: 2,844
• Saves: 422

The People Of

People are the soul of any brand. Customers connect to brands through the people behind them. Give your business a face, tell the story of why you do what you do. Our team have mastered the craft of helping you find that story, and expressing it through sight, sound, motion, feeling.

Tony’s Jacal

The family story behind Tony’s Jascal moved San Diego Magazine Instagram followers into action with 790 shares and 321 saves.

• Plays: 24,215
• Likes: 1,652
• Comments: 71
• Shares: 790
• Saves: 321

Matteo

The People of Mateo made a connection with San Diego Magazine’s Instagram followers and captured an organic audience in the Explore feed. Overall it garnered an impressive 106,252 impressions across the platform.

• Plays: 42,816
• Likes: 4,192
• Comments: 135
• Shares: 1,691
• Saves: 602

Social Media Capabilities

Instagram

Choose your video in two styles: cinematic and organic. Cinematic is shot and edited by our in-house filmmaker for richest, film-caliber footage. Organic is shot by our social media creatives on iPhones, and professionally edited. Both are very effective for different brand objectives (cinematic for highest-quality imagery, organic for on-the-street appeal.)

Contact Us 

See what a video produced by SDM Studios can do for you. Connect with us today by emailing us at [email protected]! Video production starts at $950.

SDM November 2022 Cover

Pitching San Diego Magazine

At San Diego Magazine we explore the San Diego border region in-depth—the people, the food, the culture and the issues that make this corner of the country tick. From the top of the county down into northern Baja, we want stories that inform and excite, and that inspire our readers to more deeply engage with the various communities that surround us.

Here’s how to pitch us:

Before hitting send on your pitch, please search our site for what we’ve previously published on your proposed topic. Your pitch will need to be unique and fresh and should be tailored for either our print magazine or our online product.

Keep it short. We’re looking for a couple paragraphs summing up your idea, what access you have, why the story is relevant, why you’re the writer to do it, and what the photography assets might be. All stories should have a San Diego area connection. Bonus points for including headline and subhead that sum up your story.

We accept pitches for the following:

• People: Profiles or stories about interesting individuals who are making noise and/or doing good.
• Features: Think broadly, but bring it home to SD.
• One-page arts & culture stories: Theater, music, books, art, artists, museums, etc.
• Design & Architecture
• Beer & Cocktails
• Sports & Adventure
• Main Dish: Neighborhood food guides (See our Main Dish stories online).
• Tastemaker: These are people with a unique eye for style and design. (See our Tastemaker stories in the magazine).
• Home Features: Think broadly. If this is a feature about a home, be sure to tell us what access you have in your pitch.
• Travel: Generally, we cover travel that is close to SD, but will consider further destinations on a case-by-case basis. Check out our online Travel section before sending a pitch.
• Sacred Spaces: These are places our readers wouldn’t otherwise have access to, and should feature a person who interacts with the space. Again, describe your access in your pitch.
• Photo Essays: We’re looking for stories from SD’s top photographers. If possible, include up to 10 photos of your proposed topic.
• Lists: Top 10 and Top 5 lists for our online coverage are great. Think outside the box of typical lists and come up with unique topics that may not have been done before.

All pitches can be sent to [email protected] for consideration. Please include either Print or Digital in the subject line so that the appropriate editor can reach out.

Please note, we do not accept pitches for food reviews.

San Diego Magazine is seeking interns for the upcoming semester to work closely with our Social Media team. This is a great opportunity for students looking to learn the ins and outs of social media strategy and content creation, as well as gain experience at a successful monthly publication.

Requirements

• Able to receive school credit through your university
• Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite
• Familiar with social media channels that include Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter
• Detail-oriented, organized, proactive and a good team player
• Have an interest in a career in social media, publishing/media

Here’s what you’ll do

• Learn social media campaign planning and tracking skills on active platforms
• Create and curate content specific for San Diego Magazine social media channels
• Analyze and report on social media trends
• Develop and publish short form videos for Instagram Reels and TikTok

To Apply

Email your cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Company Description

San Diego Magazine gives readers the insider information they need to experience the Best of San Diego® — from the best places to dine and travel to the style, businesses, and people that shape the region. This is the magazine for San Diegans with a need to know. As an enthusiastic group, our company enjoys working together and constantly looks to one another for ideas and inspiration. Teamwork and collaboration are at the core of our success.

Photography Intern

Our photography intern works closely with the editorial, web and art department on San Diego Magazine. The intern will produce content to support print, web, and social media written stories or features. This is a fantastic opportunity for a student interested in publishing.

Requirements:

• Students MUST RECEIVE SCHOOL CREDIT through a university for the internship
• Students must have working knowledge of editing programs, such as Photoshop and Lightroom
• Eye for detail and ability to follow brand guidelines
• Ability to coordinate with multiple departments
• Ability to produce food, beverage, portrait, interior, and landscape photography
• History demonstrating ability to meet deadlines
• Videography skills a plus

Learning Opportunities:

Duties involve assisting the magazine’s editorial and social media departments with day to day photography content, including food photography for department pages (What We’re Loving), as well as possible assistance with the Neighborhood Guide Department page. Interns have the opportunity to develop portfolio pieces. Intern assignments will vary in order to provide the student with experience over a broad range of subjects.

How To Apply

If you believe you meet the requirements and have a genuine interest in the field, please apply by sending your resume and design samples to [email protected]. Please be cautious of file size when submitting your application.

Behind the Brands

Recent Event: February 20, 2020 | The Music Box

For information about our events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Events Director, Yari Freeman at [email protected] or 619-468-4680.

Brunch Bash

Upcoming Event: March 15, 2020 | Estancia La Jolla

For information about our events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Events Director, Yari Freeman at [email protected] or 619-468-4680.

Sweat

Upcoming Event: April 19, 2020 | Kona Kai Resort & Spa

For information about our events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Events Director, Yari Freeman at [email protected] or 619-468-4680.

Best Restaurants Party

Upcoming Event: June 2020 | Pirch

For information about our events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Events Director, Yari Freeman at [email protected] or 619-468-4680.

Best of San Diego Party

Upcoming Event: August 14, 2020 | NTC Venues at Liberty Station

For information about our events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Events Director, Yari Freeman at [email protected] or 619-468-4680.

Celebrating Women

Upcoming Event:  September 2020 | The New Children’s Museum

For information about our events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Events Director, Yari Freeman at [email protected] or 619-468-4680.

Best of North County Party

Upcoming Event:  October 11, 2020 | Park Hyatt Aviara

For information about our events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Events Director, Yari Freeman at [email protected] or 619-468-4680.