EPK videos are an engaging way to tell your story to audiences and stakeholders. There are goldmines of valuable content to be presented to audiences and press, other than show footage, and exploring different angles is essential in building up a rich narrative.
In this article we look at six strands of content and explain their value in EPK video production.
1. Interviews with Key Creatives
Creators and champions of the work are usually best placed to espouse its unique selling points (USP); artists, writers, directors, producers and so on. By exploring their motivations, or responses to the work, we give the audience the tools to take more from the work. On film, their responses are more candid and engaging than in print, making it a far more effective way to tell your story. These interviews often function as the structure of an EPK video, which the rest of the content punctuates.
2. Star on Camera
When there’s a big name involved your EPK video must make a memorable connection between that person and the work. They are perhaps the most trusted and respected ambassador you have. Visually associating this person with the branding and story of the work is essential. Photo calls and dress rehearsals are perfect places to film them because your star is in costume or immersed in the environment of the piece. Use these interviews to show off the personality or the talents of this person, but also to dispel the misconceptions you think audiences or press will have about the work.
3. Vox Pops
Eloquent public testimonial is invaluable, not just as an advertising tool to audiences, but as a public stamp of approval to venues and funders. Don’t underestimate its effectiveness, but note the importance of asking leading questions to focus the interviewee on your key messages.
4. Exposition
You can build on the shareability and interest of the piece by placing it in a relevant cultural context. This could be through live Q&As, social media campaigns, or user generated content. On film it can also be explored through a documentary approach to the subject. Belarus Free Theatre made short documentaries about their political activism efforts to accompany Red Forest; their play about man-made destruction and globalisation. The musical Made in Dagenham relied on archive footage of the original strikes at the FORD plant in their EPK videos.
5. Behind the Scenes
Discover the people, the ideas, and the work behind the scenes of a production. This unique insight is valuable to professionals as well as audiences, and it lends an invaluable authenticity to an EPK video that the more glossy promotional content cannot.
6. Show Footage
If possible, an audio visual teaser of what patrons and paying audiences can actually expect is a powerful asset. However it’s not always possible, and in some cases where justice can’t be done to the real thing, it’s best to focus on creating original supporting content.
Video as a medium is the most persuasive, shareable and engaging way to communicate your story.
EPK videos can bring together various strands of content that combine your key messages from different angles.
At Impact Video we can help you from strategy to concept through to execution.
Get in touch with to talk about your next video production.
