How can you tell a great story through media production?

Before diving into content creation, understanding why you're creating it is essential. Think of it as knowing where you're headed before starting the journey. When you know the purpose – whether it's informing, persuading, entertaining, or educating – you can stay on track. This clarity guides your choices in how you plan and present the content. From my experience, I've seen that this approach not only makes work smoother but also helps the content connect better with the people who see it. Making content with a clear purpose is like using a map – it keeps you headed towards achieving meaningful goals.

A great way to develop characters for advertisements or funny video skits is to draw from real-world people you've encountered. Think of how they made you feel. What they said. What they wore. How the talked. Then, practice different levels of intensity of these mannerisms. Film different variations of this character at least 3-4 times for each line to make sure you have plenty of options during post production.

I find that for short-form storytelling, pacing is very important. To improve pacing, understand the parts of your story/script that DO NOT need to be shown/said. For example, if you're creating a story to teach someone how to handle objections on a cold call -- you probably don't need to include the greetings and pleasantries at the beginning. Get to the meat of your point sooner.

The biggest thing you can do is match your audience. A very technical audience will not relate to a story that's written to a more casual audience. Knowing who you're writing for helps craft your plot, flow, etc.. better than any other planning will.

A story is so much more than the written word. There are so many elements in modern storytelling that could be considered low impact but together they enhance your content exponentially. A subtle sound effect boosting the ambiance of a scene, a swell of music to accompany strong emotion, or a visual representation of what a character is thinking. These are all small details by themselves, but put them together and you can create compelling, thought provoking, and inspiring productions.

Definitely break the rules of storytelling. This is a universe where you can experiment and combine different ideas into a fresh story that’s engaging and compelling. There’s no law that prevents you from using wild plot ideas. You just need to be your individual self as the creator of your work. Be you, be bold, be inventive. The world needs you and your story.

Standing out isn't just about new ideas; it's about finding new spins on old ones. Think of creativity as a muscle you've got to keep flexing. Find your unique style, experiment with fresh ideas, techniques, and genres, and don't shy away from challenging storytelling norms. This ongoing workout is what keeps your content original and memorable for your audience.