I have a lot of friends who are movie buffs. Film bros.
I wouldn’t put myself in that category. If you asked me, I’d say I’m more of a book person.
I’ve always been a big reader, and I have the heaving bookshelf and literature degree to show for it. But if I’m really honest with myself, when I get home at the end of a long day, faced with the choice between picking up a book or watching an easy schmaltzy rom-com, I choose the TV every single time. These days, my Letterboxd is way more active than my Goodreads. The issue is that the joy of books is also their barrier to entry — they take a bit of effort. It’s on you to do some of the imagining, to picture the sights and sounds of that world.
As a creative employer brand agency, we love the power of imagination. We always want our work to make people feel wonder, intrigue, excitement. But we also want to make life as easy for our audience as possible. That’s where the magic of film can work so well: we can paint a clearer picture, and shape how viewers see, and feel, your culture.
From solo to symphony
Often, a good Employee value proposition (EVP) narrative already feels like a film script. That’s where the feeling of the EVP is captured at its purest, an emotive story that’s full of pride. We know we’ve nailed it here when the narrative brings a tear to the eye of our clients.
The beauty of turning that narrative into a film is that it gives us so many more tools we can use to convey meaning. The soundtrack. The accent of the voiceover. The faces of the cast. The outfits they’re wearing. The colour grading. Every tiny detail caught in frame, from a beloved mug on a desk to a pair of confident hands operating a machine. All these subtle ingredients act as tiny little clues about what it’s like to work at your company. Put it this way: if a written narrative is a singer-songwriter, a film is a 40-person choir. Both powerful in their own way, both can capture a room. But when used in tandem, your story really sings.
Rolling out the red carpet
There are benefits that go beyond the viewers, too. Half the fun is being able to turn employees into stars of the screen. And rightfully so; who better to showcase life at your company than the people who actually live it. For a short while, they step out of their usual role and into the world of lights, cameras, and serious employer branding action. When the film is released, they send it to all their family and friends, they post it on their social media, they’re the best employee advocates you could hope for. Suddenly, your EVP is something that your employees are racing to champion themselves.
Getting creative with it
A film is also a joy to create because of the sheer creative possibility. There are just so many ways to tell a story, so many styles and references at our disposal. This is an area where you can really stand out from the crowd and create something unexpected. Inspiration can be found in every corner of the world: some of our recent muses have included Spike Jonze, an Olivia Dean music video, William Eggleston’s photography, a sundial, the rhythm of someone breathing.
Every choice sends a signal about your company’s character. Do you want to convey artistry and a sense of calm? You might be inspired by the deliberately photographic framing and sensory soundscape in our work for One&Only.
Or if you’re aiming for energetic and warm, the motion tracking and typography we chose for Soho House might be more your speed.
Looking for contagious playfulness? Check out the way we combined virtual production, on-set lighting transitions and even a DIY rain machine to create this film for King.
If you’re all about movement and the human spirit, you’ll find inspiration in our work for On Running, where we used stabilised camera motion and scrapbook style animation to bring their culture to life.
Want to showcase local pride and a belief in true work-life balance? Look no further than our film for McCain ANZ, using extra-wide drone footage and cinéma verite observational shots to show off gorgeous locations and authentic moments outside of work.
You can see how each of these films creates a different feeling through these stylistic choices. Your company culture is unique, and so the way you communicate it should be too.
A film becomes a touchstone
The good news continues. When our hard work is done, meticulously strategising, ideating, capturing and editing the film, the end product makes everyone’s life easier. It’s something you can show to anyone and instantly give them an insight into your culture, in less time than it takes to make a cup of tea. Your recruitment team will thank you. Inside the company, your people can watch it at a town hall or milestone event, reminding everyone what they belong to and why you all do what you do.
And once a film exists, it travels. Tailored into social cuts, it can pay dividends as a recruitment campaign, telling your story to the world and attracting high-quality candidates. Cut into short animated rolling loops, it can add movement and life across your website, levelling up the whole experience.
Why it matters
If I had to sum it up in a sentence: your EVP deserves a film because a film lets everyone else experience your culture, even just for a minute and a half. It’s the ultimate first impression. If a picture paints a thousand words, just imagine what a film could do.
Ready to make something beautiful together?
Get in touch today to learn how Wiser can help you.
