Vagabond Films, or VGBND, has been servicing the production industry since the late 90s. Specializing in location assistance across the Americas, the list of production companies they’ve worked with includes SMUGGLER, Stink, Iconoclast and many more. 

For a global production service studio like VGBNG, buttoned-down organization is key, as is flawless internal communications and information sharing – especially for a company whose work is spread across seven countries and five time zones. That’s why VGBND relies on Simian to manage projects, share files and collaborate with clients on a daily basis.

We spoke with VGBND Project Manager Catalina Rodríguez to learn how Simian helps her team keep the chaos under control.

You were using a different video sharing platform for years before switching to Simian. What prompted the switch?

Our old platform started feeling clunky and limited as our projects grew in scope and complexity. The tipping point was when we realized how much time we were wasting on workarounds—whether it was slow uploads, lack of customization, or analytics that didn’t give us real insight into client engagement. Simian caught our attention because it’s built specifically for creative teams like ours. The interface is intuitive, the reel-building tools are top-notch, and the analytics actually help us understand what our clients are responding to. Plus, their customer support is on another level—always there when we need them. Switching to Simian just made everything smoother and let us focus on our work.

What do you primarily use Simian for? Reel building? Sharing files with clients? A little of both? 

We primarily lean on Simian for sharing files with clients—it’s become our go-to for keeping projects moving. Simian makes it seamless to organize, upload, and share everything securely. The ability to customize permissions is a lifesaver, letting us control exactly who sees what, which is critical when dealing with multiple collaborators. We also love how easy it is to create branded sharing pages that look professional and keep our clients engaged. While we do use the reel-building tools from time to time to craft quick presentations, it’s the file-sharing and client collaboration features that we rely on day in and day out.

You’re constantly dealing with agencies, clients and production companies. What’s been the greatest value for you in using Simian to share video and images with all of these stakeholders, as well as with your own teams around the world? 

Simian powers our teamwork across our global network of clients and internal teams. With projects involving collaborators in different time zones, Simian’s cloud-based platform makes it effortless to share high-quality video and image files instantly, keeping everyone in sync. The intuitive interface and robust organization tools mean our teams can quickly access the right assets, collaborate on edits, and stay aligned without drowning in email threads or version control chaos. Features like role-based permissions ensure sensitive files are only seen by the right people, which builds trust with clients and keeps our internal workflows tight. Simian feels like it was designed to handle the complexity of our collaborative process.

How important are Simian’s analytics for VGBND? How do you use them? What kind of insight have they provided you while jobs are either being bid or in production?

They’re a lifeline for us. They give us a clear picture of how our content is performing with clients, which is critical when we’re pitching or in the thick of production. We use the analytics to track who’s viewing our reels, how long they’re watching, and which sections they’re focusing on. During bidding, this helps us gauge interest—are they skipping to certain clips? Are they sharing the reel internally? That kind of insight lets us tailor our follow-ups to what’s resonating.

What role does Simian play in terms of managing projects and keeping things flowing?

Simian is essential for keeping our projects on track and well-organized. Its project management tools make it simple to store and sort assets, ensuring we always have the right files at our fingertips. The review features are particularly valuable—our team can add time-stamped comments directly on videos, which streamlines feedback and eliminates confusion. We also appreciate the ability to set permissions, so sensitive materials are only accessible to the right people. Simian helps us coordinate projects efficiently, allowing us to focus on delivering results.

If you were asked to recommend Simian to any of your production or agency partners, what would you tell them? 

I’d strongly recommend Simian to anyone looking to streamline their workflow. It’s an incredibly versatile platform that goes beyond simple file sharing, offering tools to manage projects and share work with ease. The interface is intuitive, making it a breeze to navigate, and the analytics provide valuable insights into how your content is performing. Security is also top-notch, which is critical for high-stakes projects. Simian saves time, enhances your professionalism, and helps you stay ahead. It’s become an indispensable part of our process at VGBND, and I’m confident it would deliver the same value for others.