Onwards Collective
A creative collective rooted in story, connection, and purpose.
We’re Onwards Collective — a Santa Barbara–based creative studio specializing in narrative-driven brand and impact films.
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Led by siblings Lauren and Brendan Donohue, our team brings together creative direction, production, and post-production to tell meaningful, human-centered stories for mission-driven organizations and purpose-led brands.
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People are at the heart of everything we do. Through film, we help uncover the deeper stories behind your work — the moments, voices, and impact that often go unseen.
Whether we’re creating an impact film, documenting behind-the-scenes work, or crafting a brand story, our goal is always the same: to create authentic stories that build trust, spark emotion, and inspire action.
Lauren Donohue
Creative Director & Founder
Lauren leads creative direction and production for every project. With a background in sociology, she brings a natural ability to connect with people and create space for honest, meaningful conversations.
Her interview style helps subjects feel comfortable, seen, and heard — allowing deeper stories to emerge. Lauren guides each project from concept through final delivery, shaping narrative, visual direction, and storytelling strategy to ensure every film feels intentional, cinematic, and human.
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Brendan Donohue
Post Production
Brendan leads editing and post-production, bringing over 15 years of experience and a thoughtful, tactile approach to storytelling. His work blends rhythm, pacing, and visual nuance — shaping raw footage into cohesive narratives that feel emotionally grounded and purposeful.
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Our Extended Team
Depending on the scope of each project, we collaborate with trusted directors of photography, production assistants, and creatives who share our values and bring their own spark to the process.
Together, we operate as an in-house creative team — supporting organizations from creative direction through final delivery.
Let’s Create Something Meaningful
We’d love to hear about your vision and explore how we can help bring it to life.