One of the beauties of video is its longevity and widespread accessibility. The video you create today will be viewed for years to come, whether you like it or not. At the end of your career, some future filmmaker is going to pull clips from your old videos for your retirement party. So when planning […]
Most people make the unfortunate assumption that corporate films are always stiff, dull, and monotone. Much of my career has been dedicated to shifting that style landscape toward personable and dynamic. The ever-growing workforce of Millennials and Generation Z (anyone born after 1981) demands more substance out of their corporations’ media than the puff pieces […]
We receive information from a hundred different sources a day. But which methods capture our attention, and which are immediately forgotten? Steve Clayton suggests putting yourself in the shoes of the receiver to understand what method might catch their eye. In the final segment of our series, Clayton and I explore the ways he’s broken […]
Every company is driven by a core purpose. Whether it’s a concise mission statement or a set of core values, that purpose should drive all the stories your company tells. Narrowing down your company’s greater purpose will help you focus on the best path to achieve it. Microsoft’s mission statement “Empowering Others” is a call […]
Case studies provide important insight for clients to understand your work and process. But they can’t do for your product or service what storytelling can. Show customers the journey of creating your product, including the mistakes and failures. Show clients the joy and love that come with breakthroughs and success. Steve Clayton and I spoke […]
“Culture is the result of the environment we create,” according to Microsoft Chief Storyteller Steve Clayton. The behaviors and values of every member of your company, from upper management to the surrounding outside community, contributes to the culture. And as the culture shifts naturally over time, it can be hard for your company to keep […]
“The essence of any great story is people.” We build empathy, explore ideas, and get to know one another through the stories we tell and the way we tell them. In my third interview with Steve Clayton, I asked the difference between conveying information and telling a story. His answer begins with, “Let’s imagine.” He […]
While standard advertisements can sell your company’s product or service, an engaging narrative can also sell your company’s values, culture, and people. In the second part of my interview series with Microsoft Chief Storyteller Steve Clayton, we break down the differences between product marketing and business storytelling. In our interview, Clayton explains that using a […]
Storytelling is one of the most important parts of the human experience. Prehistoric humans drew pictures in caves, our ancestors passed down oral stories and treasured artifacts, and today, we share our lives digitally all day long. Earlier this summer, I sat down with an expert at telling stories in the business world, Microsoft Chief […]
Vern Oakley, the founder, CEO and Creative Director of Tribe Pictures, shares eight lessons gleaned from running an all-volunteer international association of film producers that can help you better manage global teams or departments.