How to Write a Charity Video Brief

Thinking about making a video but not sure where to start? The secret to a great video project is a solid brief. The more we know upfront, the better job we can do bringing your vision to life. A well-thought-out brief helps us understand your organisation, your goals, and the impact you want to make—so let’s dive into what you should include!

Tell Us About Your Organisation

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of your video, we need to understand who you are. What does your organisation do? What challenges are you facing? Are you looking to raise awareness, increase donations, or showcase the impact of your work? Giving us the bigger picture helps us craft a story that resonates.

Why Are You Making the Film & Who Is It For?

Every video needs a purpose. Are you launching a campaign, recruiting volunteers, or reporting back to funders? And just as importantly—who’s watching? A film aimed at corporate sponsors will look very different from one designed for service users. The more we know about your audience, the better we can tailor the message.

Animation or Live Action?

Both have their strengths! Charity animation videos are great for explaining complex ideas in a simple way or creating a visually engaging story without the need for filming. Live-action storytelling brings authenticity, showing real people and places. Not sure? We can help you decide what works best for your project. Or you could take a look at our blog post on this very topic!

What Styles Do You Like?

Do you have a particular look and feel in mind? Maybe you’ve seen a video you love, or you have brand guidelines that dictate a specific style. Sharing examples of videos that inspire you—whether from other charities, brands, or even films—helps us understand your vision. Charity video marketing is all about finding the right tone that speaks to your audience.

What Resources Do You Have?

Think about what you already have at your disposal. This could include:

• Branding guidelines (logos, fonts, colours, tone of voice)
• Filming locations (offices, community spaces, scenic spots)
• People (staff, beneficiaries, ambassadors)
• Partners (collaborating organisations who might feature)

Knowing what’s available helps us plan efficiently and make the most of your resources.

Timescale

Got a deadline? Whether your charity film production is tied to an event, campaign launch, or funding deadline, it’s important to factor in production time. Good videos take time to plan, film, and edit—so the sooner we start, the better!

Budget

We get it—talking about money isn’t always fun, but having a ballpark budget in mind helps us recommend the best approach. Whether you’ve got a tight budget or room for creativity, we’ll find a way to make your charity video work for you.

Ready to Get Started?

We’ve put together a handy video brief template to help you organise your thoughts. Drop us an e-mail and we’ll send it your way (making sure those other pesky video companies don’t get their hands on it!).

Prefer to talk it through? We’d love to chat! Book a video call and let’s get started on your next great charity video project.