Visual Storytelling Makes Videos More Effective
To Tell Stories More Visually, We've Created Special Effects, Camera Rigs, Fake Rain, and More.
What’s the big deal about Visual Storytelling? Videos that use a visual approach are more effective.
According to HubSpot, content with compelling visual elements generates 94 percent more views. But of course, you won’t get results like that editing a few stock photos together and calling it a day.
Visual Storytelling requires thought and creativity, and taking the time to actually storyboard out an idea.
What Is Visual Storytelling?
Quite simply, visual storytelling means relying less on words, and more on pictures.
The basic rule of thumb is DON’T SAY IT, SHOW IT.
Why simply describe a business when you can take viewers on a video tour? Or just talk about a product when you can demonstrate it on camera? Why describe what your employees do when you can show them actually doing it?
It's All About Stories
At Content Puppy, we believe Visual Storytelling isn’t just WHAT you shoot, it’s also THE WAY you shoot it.
Every aspect of production can affect the end result.
From the look of the footage, to the use of slow motion, time lapse and other techniques, we do whatever it takes to make shots more interesting. They don’t just tell a story, they grab attention.
Here's an example. The architecture videos for d+e could have been produced using still photos of the architect’s work.
Instead, we shot drone footage of dramatic aerial shots, and time lapse footage that showcased his bridge and building designs with dancing clouds.
Visual storytelling gave those architecture videos a bit of “wow” factor. And the client was quite happy.
Making Fake Rain
This sales video for Georgia Front Porch incorporated visual storytelling too.
One of the main product benefits of adding a porch or portico to your home is protection from the elements. The portico shields the front door from rain.
To demonstrate this on camera, we built a rain rig with PVC pipe, sprinkler heads, and a garden hose. The rig was clamped to some light stands and raised 8 feet in the air, so we could control the raindrops.
Without the rain, this story would’ve been much less effective.
A big thank you to architect Peter Drey at D+E, and to Sandy Barth and Georgia Front Porch for the sales video project. And to the next door neighbor (and her kids) for being good sports and running through fake rain.
About the Author:
Harry Hayes is the owner and executive producer at Content Puppy Productions, a corporate video production agency based in Charlotte. Before starting Content Puppy, he spent 20+ years as an advertising writer and creative director.
