How to Prepare for Your First Brand Story Film Shoot
There are a few things I find important before filming a brand story. When done right, everything becomes a breeze and falls into place.
Here are five key areas to think about:
What is the purpose of this film?
What stories do you want to inspire others with?
What do you want to feature in this film?
Answering frequently asked questions from customers
Leaving an impression
1. What Is the Purpose of This Film?
Videos are an important marketing asset, whether published on your website or social media. However, a video without a clear direction or purpose can easily become something that gets forgotten.
Think about it this way — every second, countless videos are published on Instagram. If the first five seconds do not capture your audience’s attention, it gets drowned out and eventually disappears.
So ask yourself:
Is this film to get more customers?
To build a community?
To showcase the functions of your products or services?
To tell your story?
To go viral?
Generally speaking, the quality and impact of your brand story film depend heavily on its purpose.
You can write down three to five clear purposes for the film. The more detailed you are, the better.
For example:
I want this film to promote my studio.
I want this film to promote my studio — how it operates, the team behind it, how we work together, the products we create from start to finish, and our full process.
Between these two, option two gives us more room for brainstorming, more scenes to film, and more relatable moments to connect with your audience.
2. What Stories Do You Want to Inspire Others With?
As simple as it sounds, stories are what people relate to. However, crafting them can be challenging — it depends heavily on how you frame them.
The key is remembering that your story must connect with your customers. How does your product or service impact their lives? How does it answer their doubts? How does it build trust and long-term community?
What you say should amplify your brand in a conversational, human, and personal way — rather than sounding overly technical or corporate.
People connect with honesty, not jargon.
3. What Do You Want to Feature in This Film?
If you are selling a product, you should pay close attention to how it looks on film. I have seen promotional videos where the product was poorly lit or framed, causing it to blend into the background.
Framing, lighting, and making sure the product stands out are essential — because your brand sells that product.
If you are selling a service, focus on how “human” it feels.
For example, if you are a career coach, your service is people-based. It requires connection. We can focus on how your sessions look, whether online or offline.
Clean up your studio. Remove unwanted furniture or distractions. Capture candid, genuine moments of how you conduct your sessions — whether with talents or real clients.
Every detail matters:
How you smile
How you explain information
How you carry yourself
How your clients react
Taking notes, laughing, engaging
Relatability is key. You want your audience to think:
“Oh, this is how a career coaching session looks. It feels welcoming and fun.”
4. Answering Frequently Asked Questions From Customers
Think of a brand story film as something that solves problems — both internally and externally.
Internally, it shows what your brand is about. Behind-the-scenes processes. The team. Your perspective. Your journey.
Externally, it answers the common doubts your customers have.
For example:
“But if I’m new to fitness, can I join your class?”
→ Show it visually. A member signing up. Being guided step-by-step. Feeling welcomed.
“Why are your classes more expensive?”
→ Show your preparation process, your experience, your ideas, how you structure sessions, and the outcomes your clients achieve.
In short, your brand story film becomes a visual one-stop solution — an asset on your website or social media that builds connection, trust, and ultimately, conversion.
5. Leaving an Impression
There is a reason you started your brand. A reason you continue doing what you do.
Take a step back and reflect:
What lessons have you learned?
What challenges did you overcome?
What keeps you going?
Ending your film with a meaningful quote, a powerful thought, or a strong visual moment leaves a lasting impression.
The final words or scene right before the video cuts off matter more than you think.
When you share openly — the ups, downs, and lessons — it shows humanity. And that is what people remember.
Final Thoughts
I find the preparation phase of a brand story film both fun and challenging. It pushes you to dig deep and rediscover what your brand truly stands for — something that can sometimes get lost over time while focusing on growth and revenue.
Spending more time on pre-production is often more important than the filming day itself. Without a strong foundation, a video is just a video.
But with clarity and purpose, it becomes a powerful story.