Partner event: How to create storytelling content without a big budget

FREE Lunch and Learn Virtual Event with Westco Communications

Thursday 15 October

12:00 – 12:45 pm.

REGISTER HERE

Great video content is not really about expensive equipment or polished production. It is about telling a story that makes an emotional connection with the people you want to reach.

Join us for a free Westco Lunch and Learn exploring how local authority communications teams can create more engaging, human and effective video content using the resources they already have.

Too much public sector video is designed simply broadcast information. But the content people remember, share and respond to is often the content that makes them feel something… whether that is pride, hope, reassurance, curiosity, empathy or a sense that an issue matters to them personally. Yes, it is all about emotional vibe.

This practical session will explore how to move from simply explaining what is happening to telling stories that help audiences understand why it matters to them.

We’ll explore :  

• Start with the emotional goal – before thinking about cameras, locations or editing, decide what you want your audience to feel, understand or do.
• Storytelling rather than information dumping – how human stories, tension and resolution can make even complex council issues more relatable and memorable.
• A simple storytelling framework – using Hook, Challenge and Resolution to create a clear narrative that keeps people watching and gives the story emotional momentum.
• Build a useful B-roll library – how creating a bank of authentic footage of people, places and services can make stories feel richer while reducing the need for repeated filming.
• Create once, use intelligently – how to plan a strong “main cut” alongside shorter, platform-first social edits designed to capture attention quickly.
• Why preparation matters – because the strongest video stories are often won or lost before the camera is switched on.

What will you take away?

The session is designed to show that compelling video storytelling is achievable even when budgets, time and resources are limited.

You’ll leave with a simple, repeatable approach for planning your next video:

• Who are we trying to reach?
  Understand the audience, what they care about, and what is likely to resonate.
• What do we want them to feel?
  Identify the emotional connection at the heart of the story.
• What is the story?
  Find the human challenge, experience or change that will bring the message to life.
• What do we need to capture?
  Plan the interviews, images and B-roll that will help the audience experience the story rather than simply hear about it.

We’ll also look at how a more strategic approach to filming can help councils build a valuable library of authentic content that can be reused across teams, campaigns and channels – helping communications feel more human while getting more value from every shoot.

This session will be hosted by Karina Perdomo, Producer of Quick Brown Fox Productions with Westco Communications.

As always, our Lunch and Learn sessions provide plenty of opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from other public sector communicators.