We could talk all day about the different ways in which we apply the skills accumulated over more than a decade to create engaging video material that people really want to watch. It is, after all, at the heart of our day-to-day activity here at Intrepid TV, and you’d hope we’d have built up some expertise in the matter.
Let’s zoom in, then, at two of the best pieces of advice we can offer to aspiring video creatives. Take on board these nuggets of knowledge and you’ll be well on the way to success.
Tell a Story; a Human Story
Whatever type of video you are creating, however long it is and wherever you are going to display it, you want your audience to feel an emotional connection with the material you put together.
The simplest piece of advice we can offer is to ensure you are telling a story about a person, or people, at the heart of that content. People will watch more avidly if they care about the characters involved, so focus on the human interest element of your material.
Intrepid TV often works in the defence and security sectors. That can mean we are filming exercises or military operations, and our challenge is to ensure the finished product is character-led.
For instance, we recently worked on a NATO exercise and we asked a soldier to give us a video tour of his accommodation. The individual in question was strong, engaging and likeable, which made the content great to watch.
We will often give a soldier a GoPro camera and ask him or her to take video clips of a day. It often gives us a series of clips between 15 and 30 seconds long that bring to life the experience of being an individual at the heart of a major exercise.
One of our colleagues visited the USS Gerald R Ford, the largest warship ever constructed, when it sailed across the Atlantic to Europe in 2022. While the sheer size of the ship made for some spectacular footage, what made the video come to life was getting one of the fighter pilots to tell us stories about what it was like to live and work on such an enormous vessel.
We would add that, while human interest stories are always compelling, we always like telling stories about animals. NATO has quite a few dogs in its service, and people love canine interest stories too!
Make an Instant Impression
It’s essential that you engage your audience’s attention instantly. The first five seconds are absolutely key, so put in some thought and work to make sure your content hooks the viewer.
This advice holds true whether you are creating a 15-second clip for social media, or a longer piece of documentary content. You do not have very long to attract and hold a viewer’s interest, and if they have to wait longer than those first few seconds there is a real danger they will disengage and go elsewhere.
Ask Intrepid TV How We Can Help You
Of course, the best way to be sure you are creating a compelling piece of video that resonates with your audience is to ask Intrepid TV to make it for you.
We will be delighted to discuss with you the content you are planning, and the best way to bring it to life and make a quick and lasting impression on your audience. Please contact us today to find out more.