The Best Video Techniques for Learning and Development
Creative inspiration for learning and development videos
Ever-decreasing attention spans and mass content creation has meant that it’s easy for videos to get lost. So how can you make video content that rises above the noise and sustains viewer interest? We share some ways to take more creative risks and make video that captures attention and effectively communicates your message.
Be Bold
Creating bold video content is in our name because we are passionate about being brave and making exceptional video content that pushes the envelope. Working with an experienced video agency like us, you’ll have the opportunity to produce excellent video with high production values, which is beneficial as high quality video can help to strengthen your brand image and position you as a market leader.
Make it cinematic
The visual component of learning is a huge factor in the understanding of learning systems, concepts and tools. The more visually pleasing your video is to watch, the more effectively you will communicate your message. So we recommend upgrading talking head videos into cinematic interviews, to increase the emotional intensity and visual enjoyment of your video.
A cinematic interview is shot using the principles of motion picture filmmaking, essentially meaning that a high level of visual artistry goes into every shot. Capturing a cinematic interview most likely involves working with a Director of Photography who can use complex lighting, shot composition and different camera lenses to a high standard to create the desired visual.
Keep it dynamic
Being more creative with how information is delivered can also be a great way to make your video different. Walking and talking shots can be an interesting alternative to a static interview or presentation.
Another way to make your video more visually interesting is to use creative cutaway shots. These are great for giving the audience more context about what’s being said.
Mix live action with animation
Mixing live action with animation is an option if you’re looking to add vibrancy, extra meaning, or emphasise salient points.
By adding an animated flair to videos, we can create eye-catching content that captures the viewer’s attention and prevents video content from ever becoming too dry or overly factual.
If you have interview subjects who are based abroad, we can take self-filmed footage, or footage from video conferencing software, and turn it into eye-catching content with motion graphics.
To improve production values of self filmed content, you could send out cameras and sound recording equipment to your participants, and advise on lighting and background. In the event that you are hoping to assemble a video of this kind, your video production team should have a ‘self filming guide’ to send the participants to get the best out of their performance.
Consider Animation
Animation is a great solution when you want to explain complex information or processes in a simple and entertaining way. By creating animation that’s intended to simplify abstract concepts with a visually stimulating design, your videos can help learners synthesise their knowledge and understanding of important subject matters. This can be done with animated characters who guide students through complex information, or by using other engaging visual designs that support key messages.
Images have the power to enrich communication and help to reinforce course material. If the illustrations used are imaginative and suitable for your audience – then your video has the potential to increase retention and inspire learners.
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Use snackable content
We get very excited about short form content that can be used in different ways to capture audience attention and deliver a message in just a matter of seconds. We thinking more learning and development brands should take advantage of short form video content to attract viewers to your main video.
Tell a story
While the goal of your video may be to communicate certain important messages, we believe the most impactful and memorable videos actually tell a story.
For example, our client Coca-Cola came to us with a brief to create a film about their water resource management program in Spain. We could have created a traditional documentary interviewing stakeholders and project leaders but instead we opted to tell an Human-Interest story about Aparicio who was a farmer directly affected by the water crisis. This video involved real people and led to a video that was widely watched and shared.
Taking this principle and applying it to learning and development, human-interest learning and development videos (featuring real people) can help to stimulate learning and retention of important subject matters.
Be natural
Making people feel comfortable on camera is something that needs the proper care and attention. Not everyone likes to be on camera, so we make sure all our directors and camera-people are trained in how to help the interview subjects feel at ease. For learning and development videos, having a presenter who can deliver information in an authentic way will help to sustain audience engagement.
To get that extra level of finesse to your video, presenter coaching can be a great way to build confidence in front of the camera and help you deliver your key messages in a natural manner.
Don’t get stuck in one style
We are big believers in creating varied content to keep your learning and development content buoyant and exciting, so we suggest not trying to shoehorn all content into one style or type of video.
Our client Colt is an international technology company with 5,000 staff globally and we partner with them to deliver a wide range of content, from 2D animation, 3D animation, interviews, recruitment videos, promotional videos and learning and development content.
Each piece of content works hard to communicate the key message, but fits in with Colt’s brand image, values, and tone of voice.