A brand film tells the story of who you are and why you exist. Instead of selling one product, it shows the people, the beliefs and the moments behind your company, so viewers understand what makes you different and decide they trust you.
Brand film, commercial or explainer?
| Brand film | Commercial | Explainer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job | Earn trust and belief | Drive an action now | Make something clear |
| Typical length | 2 to 4 minutes | 15 to 60 seconds | 60 to 90 seconds |
| On screen | Your real people | Actors or product | Animation or graphics |
| Where it lives | Homepage, sales, recruiting | Ads and broadcast | Product pages, sales |
What makes a brand film work
- One belief. The strongest films are built around one thing you believe that others in your industry do not.
- Real people. Founders, team members and customers talking naturally beat a polished script read by a stranger.
- Specific moments. A real story, a real place, a real result. Details are what make people believe.
- A turn. Every good story moves from a problem to a purpose. Your film should too.
- Restraint. Two to four minutes, with shorter cutdowns for social and email.
Where companies use brand films
- On the homepage and about page
- In sales emails and presentations
- In recruiting and onboarding
- At events, board meetings and investor updates
- As 30 to 60 second cutdowns on social
How a brand film gets made
- ListenStory sessions with your leaders and team to find the one story only you can tell.
- ShapeA concept, interview plan and shot list built around that story.
- Plan and scoutLocations, schedules and the people who will be on camera.
- FilmInterviews plus the real work, places and moments that prove what people say.
- EditStory first, then music, color, graphics and the final mix, with your feedback along the way.
See the whole thing in our process.
Examples from our work
Logo Brands shows the people and the scale behind the licensed products fans love. The Story of Wold honors a design firm's long history in Tennessee and the team carrying it forward. SageSpring Wealth Partners introduces a financial advisory team the way they work: personally.
Before you start
Answer three questions: what is the one job this film needs to do, who is the one person you most want watching, and what should they think, feel and do afterward. Our free Story Starter walks you through those and the rest of the questions we ask before every brand film. When you are ready, see our brand films or check typical costs.