Sometimes it’s best to do away with a script. There is an authenticity and honesty that comes from allowing a person to speak extemporaneously.
This free-form approach can work well under these circumstances:
- The story does not require precise messaging;
- He or she is a subject matter expert;
- He or she has the ability to speak from the heart;
- There are ample visuals to cut away to, so you can avoid jump cuts
You will want to give the speaker some guidance in terms of broad-stroke goals — e.g., why this story is important to your organization, key points you hope to hit on, etc. — so that the unscripted dialogue doesn’t veer too far off course.
Then just let it go.
Here’s a profile of artist Alloyius McIlwaine that was shot as he created the “Canticle of the Creatures” mural for Neumann University.
Speak from the heart.
P.S. Have a question about video? Let me know and I’ll try to answer it in a future post.