What Location Says about Corporate Video

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a corporate video featuring employees, must be filmed in an office.” – Jane Austen, probably

There’s nothing inherently wrong with the office setting. We do plenty of filming in offices. They offer lots of control. The set dressing is already done and is undeniably authentic. And your cast is going to be there anyway. Filming in an office can be a great choice.

But the office isn’t your only choice. And while we’re throwing out the rule book, let’s also think beyond solid backdrops and an all-white studio, as well. And we’re not talking green screens, either.

What Location Says in Corporate Video

Zoom out for a moment. Big picture, what does location say about a character?

Location can reveal a lot about their personality, values, or worldview. Your subject’s location reinforce a viewer’s expectations—a corporate executive behind his desk—or it can subvert them.

When you move an executive out in the world, how does the audience’s perception of them shift? Does that person become more relatable, less cookie cutter, more real?

The goal of thinking beyond the office isn’t just novelty for novelty’s sake. It’s about finding an environment that fosters authenticity. Figure out where your subjects’ personalities really come alive.

A new location might also inspire a concept that eschews on-camera interviews altogether. Something like a “day in the life” approach, a roundtable discussion, or something even more off-the-wall.

Choosing the Best Alternative Location

What about getting out into the community? Coffee shops. Parks. Maybe even filming an employee in their own home (especially if hybrid work is part of your company culture).

Seeing a person’s home is a quick glance into their soul. The art on their walls, knickknacks on their shelves, and textures of their furniture all weave a story together. This can be a simple way to shift perceptions away from the often stiff and sterile vibe of a typical office.

Or get outside in the fresh air. Take some employees on a hike — there’s a built in visual metaphor there. Who is guiding the path forward? How do teammates offer a helping hand? How can you demonstrate their relationships without words?

You might just find that a change of scenery leads to a change in perspective — for your communications team, for your audience, or even for your overall approach to sharing your company’s story.