I recently watched a great ted talk from Simon Sinek, “How great leaders inspire action.”
He states that when engaging people, it is so much more important that we look and discuss the Why, then the How and lastly the What.
Why we do what we do, How we do it and then lastly What we do.
I am interested in how this relates to film and how I am developing my films to explore my own way of engaging with audience’s.
I strive to make films of people who have passion. This is simply because passionate people engage me. The spark in their eye, their love for life and drive to work hard at what they cherish, is captivating.
Passion is an authentic ‘Why’.
My favourite films to watch, and films that are generally really well received, including promotional films, are creating or portraying this authentic Why.
“Find Your Love” promotional film, doesn’t even seem like a promotional film. It is way more than just promoting a yoga retreat; it promotes a passion for life, a way of life and also talks about not regretting life.
Films are using this passion to invite people to be inspired by the notion of a more fulfilling life. This becomes way more than just a promotional for a yoga retreat, it is a mantra!
Life has become pretty disconnected and these films are tapping into this lack of connection to engage.
I recently saw a viral promotional film for an up market spa. It featured elderly ladies talking to camera about what they would have done differently in their lives. This included emotive things such as, worrying less, kissing for longer, staying up later with a loved one and eventually led to the fact they wished they should have relaxed more. The promotion ends with the solution, The Spa.
Why- To help people relax and enjoy their lives. To not regret their lives.
How – By giving them a place to relax.
What – An upmarket spa.
The emotion and the message is relatable to a wide range of women and men watching the film. It is inspiring whilst also offering up a life lesson. People feel engaged when they can relate.
I think people who really love what they do in life, often emphasise the Why within conversation. The Why is the most important part for them, the How and the What could be manifested in a 100 different ways, but the Why foundation stays the same.
We have all been asked in a social situation, “so what do you do?”. This question conditions us to answer with What we do. This so easily stops the conversation, what if we answered with Why?
So try this out in your next conversation and see how you feel about it and what comes from it.
Also check out the Ted talk and see what you think.
Feature Photo Credit: Ruth Farrar from Shextreme http://www.shextreme.tv
Jess Pearson, Shimnix Films and Jody Hartley, Jody Hartley Photography, Bulgaria December 2015
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