A good video brief does not need technical camera language. It needs to explain who the film is for, what they should understand and what you want them to do next. Those decisions shape the filming, editing and versions you receive.
Whether you are introducing a Louth business, documenting an event in Grimsby or explaining a service elsewhere in Lincolnshire, a focused brief is a better starting point than simply asking for a short video.
Choose one main purpose
Decide whether the film should introduce your business, explain a product, show an event or answer a common customer question. One project can produce several edits, but each edit should have a clear purpose.
Describe the audience in everyday terms. A first-time customer needs different information from a returning trade buyer. Write a single sentence describing the message they should remember after watching.
Plan the places the film will appear
List the intended channels: your website, social feeds, an event screen or a sales presentation. A landscape website film and a vertical social edit need different framing and pacing. Decide which versions are important before filming.
If people will watch without sound, discuss captions and on-screen explanations. If the film relies on an interview, allow time to record it in a suitable space. A busy workshop can look excellent while still being too noisy for clear speech.
Make filming time realistic
Provide the address, access details, key contacts and any restrictions. List the people who need to appear and when they are available. Allow time for setup and changes between locations rather than treating every minute on site as filming time.
For events, share the programme and identify the moments that cannot be repeated. For a business film, group related shots so staff and products do not have to be moved backwards and forwards unnecessarily.
Agree the edit and approval process
Confirm the expected length, number of versions, caption requirements and deadline. Nominate one person to collect feedback so conflicting changes do not arrive separately. Supply approved logos, names and any wording that must be exact.
Discuss music and other supplied materials before they are used. The final scope should say what is included, how revisions will be handled and how the files will be delivered.
A simple brief to send
Include your business name, audience, main message, filming location, preferred date, intended channels and deadline. Add a few reference films with a note about what you like: the pace, tone or structure, rather than an instruction to copy them.
I plan commercial films, event coverage and other video projects around the story and the practical conditions. An early conversation is enough to turn a loose idea into a clear filming plan.
