Understanding your challenge
Creative people require a comprehensive creative brief to do their best work. It provides the parameters for innovative thinking and the execution of ideas. However, at FilmDuo we go deeper. To make a real difference we need to be cognisant of your essential business needs.
What is the most pressing challenge that is keeping you awake a night? Is it growth, customer retention, competition or profit margins? Are you attracting enough new customers? What we do is ask you the right questions to help you identify the pertinent problem that we are trying to help solve. Once we know that, we then synergise a brief that addresses both the business and creative challenge.
Our approach is a collaborative one. To achieve the best results for our clients we need to work together to align in terms of project scope, objectives and logistics. Whether you are commissioning a promotional video, a training program or a social media campaign, how you communicate your vision to us will significantly impact the final product. Here are some handy tips on how to write an effective brief.
1. Project Scope and Objectives
Objective Clarity: We start by clearly outlining the purpose of the video. What are the goals? Is it to inform, entertain, promote or educate? Defining the primary objective helps us to understand the core message and tone.
Target Audience: We must identify who the video is intended for. Knowing the demographics, interests and preferences of your target audience will guide our creative approach and style.
Key Messages: We need to specify the key messages that need to be conveyed. This includes the main points and any secondary messages you want to include.
2. Creative Vision
Concept and Style: Let’s agree the overall concept and desired style of the video. It helps if you can provide examples of other videos that have a similar look and feel, whether it’s a cinematic, documentary, animated or a more straightforward interview format.
Tone and Mood: Let’s clarify the tone and mood of the video. Should it be serious, humorous, inspirational or educational? The tone will influence everything from scripting to music choice.
Visual Elements: Let’s establish specific visual elements you want, such as graphics, animations or particular types of shots (e.g., aerial, close-ups). Providing visual references can be particularly helpful.
3. Script and Storyboard
Script: Let’s create a well-drafted script which outlines the narrative, dialogue and key actions, serving as a foundation for the video.
Storyboard: Next comes a storyboard - a visual representation of the script. This helps us to understand the sequence of scenes, camera angles and transitions that all inform the creation of the best story.
4. Logistics and Technical Details
Location and Schedule: Let’s go over details about the filming locations, including any specific requirements or restrictions. It is imperative that we agree the shooting schedule, highlighting critical deadlines for pre-production, production and post-production.
Equipment Requirements: Let’s explore the technical needs of the project. This includes camera types, lighting setups, audio equipment and any special gear like drones or gimbals.
Budget Constraints: Let’s go through the budget in fine detail. Transparency is key. Understanding the financials allows us to plan realistically and make necessary adjustments to the project scope.
5. Collaboration and Feedback Process
Roles and Responsibilities: We need to define the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved. This includes your team members, our creative production team and any other contributors like actors or voice-over artists.
Communication Channels: We need to establish clear communication channels. Let’s decide how we will communicate and how often we will check in with each other.
Feedback Mechanism: Let’s set up a feedback process for reviewing drafts and making revisions. Clear and constructive feedback ensures that the project stays on track and meets your expectations.
6. Legal and Ethical Considerations
Permissions and Releases: We need to ensure all necessary permissions and releases are obtained for locations, music and talent. This includes location releases, talent releases, and copyright licenses for any third-party content.
Compliance: Let’s make sure the video complies with any industry-specific regulations or standards. This is especially important for videos in sectors like healthcare, finance or education.
Conclusion
An effective briefing is the cornerstone of a successful video project. By clearly defining your objectives, creative vision, logistics and collaboration process, you equip FilmDuo with the information that we need to bring your vision to life. This collaborative effort not only enhances the quality of the final product, but also ensures a smoother production process, saving time and resources. With a detailed and well-communicated brief, you can look forward to receiving a video that meets your goals and resonates with your audience.
