By Thanida Chaempuing

Tim Kelly, President and Founder of Friday’s Films, came to visit University of San Francisco’s Master of Arts in Professional Communication program yesterday at the downtown campus. One of the most exciting aspects of this graduate program is the opportunity to interact about coursework and professional interests with experienced leaders from a diversity of industries.

Tim created Friday’s Films in 2002. Located in San Francisco, Friday’s Films is a content creation studio that produces visual media for start-ups and Fortune 500 companies.

Friday’s Films primarily focus on video production. Each year, Friday’s Films produces and delivers hundreds of individual visual media pieces filmed across the world.

If you want to tell a story through visual media, here are some tips and advices from the discussion.

How to build a story?

• There is no specific strategy in approaching each creative project. If you’re open to approaching a story with a new angle, you might surprise yourself with what you offer the world.
• It’s valuable to outline, storyboard, and script your ideas. However, don’t be afraid to break away from the script in order to capture the captivating and authentic moments that bring a story to life.
• A key in making a film, whether for yourself or for your client, is to have a real story to tell or something that you as a storyteller can connect to.
• It’s always helpful to keep the audience in mind. Oftentimes clients want to market towards specific groups of people, and a mindful understanding of what viewers want from video content will help your projects flourish.
• Take a moment to watch a video they made that skillfully tells a story and connects people to a brand.

Tips when working with clients

• It is good to keep in mind that everybody is different, whether it is the person, the client, the company culture, or the creative agency model that they have built inside the company. Your approach for one project can drastically vary for the next depending on the objectives and contexts.
• You have to understand different clients on what they want, what their audience wants, and why they need it. There is a range of what you can talk to clients about to uncover these points. Immersing yourself in the perspective of your client and their audience will help you create visuals and narratives that will drive the story home.
• Over the years, people have become more sophisticated. We are moving away from texts written on paper and having someone read it aloud to visual storytelling. There is a demand for strong and compelling visuals.
• Companies are putting a lot of money into making videos, so find a way to tell your client’s story with clarity and impact. A video that genuinely connects people with the brand gives viewers a reason to support the company.
• Remember to connect with the audience in order to set the tone for your storytelling project.