Where do you get inspiration from for corporate videos?

A

alohype

Veteran
How do you find ideas, inspiration for a script/timeline for a corporate videos? I'm mainly talking to one man bands, small production studios that do not have a separate person to write a script.
Do you watch Vimeo, if so what kind of groups, channels?

I'm sure many of you have a scheme that they follow most of the time, but what if you want to be more creative or client is more demanding?

Thanks!
 
No Scheme here.

I ask the client what the message is that he wants to show the world. Often they don't know. But if they know you have a starting point. And then I try to think out of the box. By that I mean choosing a another/different point of view. Often using contradictions. (in the clip water and mud, clean white laboratory and muddy boat).


I recently had a water laboratory as a client, they wanted exposure and show the benefits of their location. So I made this (low budget) clip:
https://vimeo.com/234856307
 
Last edited:
alohype said:
...but what if you want to be more creative or client is more demanding?
Click to expand...

I like to ask to provide me samples of any videos they may like (from their competitors, other companies in completely different fields, anything and everything).

This also helps lay the expectations on the table as sometimes non-production people might see something they like, but don't really think about how it's done i.e. they may not consider the extra costs of the gear (drone/drone operator, gimbal, dolly, etc) or understand the difficulty of the production (may need multiple takes i.e. time, professional talent, a larger crew to pull off some shots, etc).

Then you can discuss what's doable, what's not, brainstorm ideas together, etc.

Personally, I am extremely flexible with everyone as long as the relationship is looking bright.
 
alohype said:
How do you find ideas, inspiration for a script/timeline for a corporate videos ?
Click to expand...

Inspiration can come from anywhere, but usually working with a limited time and financial budget (with next to no crew) means living with the shots that are possible under these conditions.
 
My advice would be to simply hone your writing skills and think outside of what is typically attempted. And most importantly, LISTEN to your clients a lot more than talking at them. Most corporate clients will have some kind of vision, it may not be a good vision but it will give you clues about their expectations, so you can exceed them. Most videographer/one man bands have poor writing skils so reading some writing books, watching YouTube and other videos, joining a writing group and like a musician learning their instrument, simply writing, a LOT, will help you to improve. Screen writing and proposal writing are pretty different than any other forms of writing, other than grant writing for non-profits. The Internet is full of good examples of both. Study good examples and work some of made them effective into your own.

As far as being creative and visionary, that's something that will take much longer to hone than simple writing skills. But once again, few corporate clients REALLY want to produce something truly creative and groundbreaking. They usually want what was hot in broadcast five years ago. Seriously.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top