Do you believe in the magic of storytelling?
Well, stories are the quickest way to connect with a stranger.
Why, you ask?
Being as old as the human race itself, stories are still a major part of our lives.
And here’s the trick: when you blend the ancient art of storytelling with modern brand videos, it can hook audiences and leave a pitch-perfect message.
With a staggering 72% of consumers saying they prefer video marketing to text, it’s crystal clear that making a story-driven brand film can be the secret sauce of your marketing success.
So, how do you create a brand film which truly resonates?
One which doesn't just represent your brand but embodies it?
Here’s your roadmap to crafting a brand film which intertwines your story with the viewer's everyday life.
Telling a Brand Story Through the Lenses: The Basics
If your foundation is solid, you can build an excellent structure over it.
So, before the cameras roll and the lights dazzle to create a good brand film, let’s address the foundational questions first:
- Plot: What story does your brand want to tell? Good narratives usually have a beginning which hooks, a conflict or complication which builds tension, and an end which satisfies.
- Target audience: Who is this video for? Understand whether you're targeting new customers, potential clients, or your team. Tailor your narrative to their eyes and ears.
- Purpose: Why are you telling this story? Once the credits roll, what steps do you hope your audience will take?
- Place: Where is your story set? The backdrop can be as compelling as the characters, influencing the story’s tone and texture.
- People: Talking about characters. Who are the protagonists of your story? Consider how these characters will connect with your audience on a personal level.
- Distribution Method: How will you share your brand film? Decide whether it will be hosted on platforms like YouTube, be the star of your website or be distributed through other social media channels.
Answer these, and you’ve got yourself a blueprint for a compelling story.
What next?
How to Make a Story-Driven Brand Film?
Creating story-driven brand films is like brewing a perfect cup of tea; you must know the right blend of flavour and timing.
With people having short attention spans, your story needs to grab and hold interest tighter than a proper British handshake.
Here’s an industry insight from us: Show, don’t tell.
What’s that?
When it comes to sharing your story, think like a magician: show the wonder, don't just gab about it.
Edit your videos smartly and show only the elements which are necessary to push your brand narrative which leaves your audience asking for more.
Here are five steps to creating a storytelling video which truly sparkles:
Pinpoint Your Goals and Audience
Knowing your objectives and who you want to reach is half the battle for creating a successful brand film.
Understanding these aspects will help you make informed decisions—from the script to the final edit.
Develop Your Narrative
You can consider hiring the big guns with screenplay expertise to craft a story.
Ensure your story is clear and your characters unforgettable, because chances are that the majority of your target market views your story only once.
Choose the Right Video Format
Animation or live-action? CGI or practical magic?
It can be confusing for you to choose the right video format to share your brand values.
That’s where budget and time will be your guides here.
Keep in mind that filming a live-action video requires more resources than creating a story from stock video clips.
Be Ready with Your Production Team
Now you have to assemble a team of A-listers or partner with a production studio with a proven track record.
Don’t forget that professionals from Simply Thrilled have you covered.
We understand that compatibility is key, so you can have a glimpse into whether our team can bring your vision to life.
Explore our previous work and we’ll be more than happy to share all the details with you.
It’s Promotion Time
Once you have finalised the video production strategy and the team delivers the desired story-driven brand video, you’ll want to shout it from the rooftops.
Plot out a grand video marketing strategy involving social media, press releases, and any other communication platform where your video can be the belle of the ball.
Want to see the results once you follow these steps?
3 Best Story-Driven Brand Films
The most effective brand storytelling films grip the audience and draw them into a world that reflects their own.
How do we know it?
Powerful story-driven filmmaking is our fortress.
Also, sprinkle humour, emotion and unexpected plot twists to deepen the viewer's engagement with your story.
Here are the few examples, we have selected for you
Kia – Perfect 10
Kia's Perfect 10 advertisement is a masterclass in narrative-driven marketing.
It doesn't just sell a car, it tells a story.
The commercial showcases emotional storytelling through a young girl's journey participating in an ice skating competition.
Close-up shots capture her somber expressions and those of her father, who watches with pride yet melancholy due to an empty seat beside him.
As the story unfolds, the visuals of the sleek journey of the Kia EV9 against a backdrop of wintry beauty, you can experience the raw emotion.
The overall videos have captured the nerve of high-quality filmmaking with direct product promotion.
McDonald’s – WcDonald’s
The McDonald’s WcDonald’s video series brilliantly taps into the anime genre.
It uses a unique aspect of pop culture for storytelling and branding.
And what’s McDonald's called in the world of anime?
Yes, you guessed it right – WcDonald’s.
A playful nod with the golden arches turned upside down to sidestep copyright restrictions.
McDonald’s cleverly adopted the name and concept and crafted an entire anime universe under the WcDonald’s moniker.
The series is more than video telling as it offers a world of stories and characters in the anime fantasy style that hooks the audiences and makes them wait for the next.
IKEA – Smart Home
The IKEA Smart Home advertisement perfectly captures a universal truth: the struggle of leaving the comfort of one’s bed in the morning.
The focal point of this ad is an individual who remains snugly tucked in bed.
With a few taps on her phone, the room comes alive, the lamp softly glowing to life, the coffee machine humming in the background using the smart home setup.
And guess the best part of the brand film?
The story is conveyed without any dialogue, relying solely on visual storytelling and carefully chosen sounds and music.
It’s a story of comfort, control and the simple joys of a smart home, capturing IKEA’s narrative of innovative solutions for everyday life.
Now it’s your turn to convert the inspiration from these story-driven brand films and create one for your potential customers.
But before you roll the dice, you must associate with professionals who can deliver you the desired video shoot results.
Build Brand Awareness with Simply Thrilled
Your story-drive brand film is just one step away.
We, at Simply Thrilled, are not a generic production agency that crafts videos. We’re a story factory, with experience in the worlds of film and television. Our team can help you in brand film production with narratives that captivate and resonate.
How can we be so confident?
We have worked with leading brands from BBC to Universal.
That’s not just it.
At Simply Thrilled, we specialise in a spectrum of video types, including corporate, promotional, explainer, animated, social media, charity, event, TV adverts, brand films, music videos and product showcases.
Share your idea with our team, and experience the magic with our story-driven brand film results.
