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Branded Film for Marketers

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I'm Josh Hester, founder and executive producer of Storyteller Studios. We're here to help you win your audience’s attention (and dollar) with stunning & compelling video storytelling.

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5 Questions That Will Make or Break Your Video Projects

Why CMOs Are Investing in Branded Films (And Why You Should Too)

The Problem: Consumers Are Tuning Out Traditional Marketing

Your audience is drowning in content. They scroll past banner ads, skip pre-rolls, and tune out anything that feels like a sales pitch. The way people engage with brands has changed. Today, people don’t want to be sold to. Traditional commercial video production doesn’t land the way it used to.

Today, your audience wants something else: meaning.

This is where branded films come in.

Unlike traditional corporate video production, branded films don’t focus on a product or service. Instead, they tap into emotion, identity, and shared experiences. They create moments that connect people to your brand on a deeper level.

Branded Film vs. Corporate Video: What’s the Difference?

Not all video content is the same. While a corporate video might introduce your company or explain your services, a branded film does something more powerful:

  • It tells a compelling, human story.
  • It builds trust through authenticity.
  • It resonates emotionally with your audience.
  • It builds long-term loyalty.

That’s why marketing leaders—from nonprofits to national brands—are turning to us, a full-service video production agency with deep experience in documentary video production, to craft stories that move people.

A great example? AlignLife’s branded film featuring Ginger.

Case Study: How AlignLife Used Branded Film to Build Trust

AlignLife, a chiropractic clinic committed to patient-centered care, wanted to showcase the real impact they make in people’s lives—not through statistics, but through story.

That’s where we came in.

We created a branded documentary film about Ginger, a young girl with cerebral palsy who found more than medical care at AlignLife—she found hope. Her story, captured with care and cinematic quality, showcases AlignLife not just as a healthcare provider, but as a team that empowers families through empathy and expertise.

This is storytelling with substance. The kind that makes people feel—and act.

Why CMOs Choose Branded Film

If you’re leading strategy for a brand or nonprofit, here’s the truth: your audience doesn’t want another explainer video. They want proof that what you do matters.

A powerful branded film builds emotional equity. It elevates your brand beyond the transaction. Whether you lead an education nonprofit or a healthcare group—or you’re a CMO at a growth-stage company—branded films:

• Stand out in paid media campaigns

• Anchor landing pages and social strategy

• Elevate investor decks and pitch presentations

• Shine at donor events, annual meetings, and conferences

As a commercial video production agency serving clients across the Midwest, including St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Des Moines, and Louisville, we understand how to make these stories work across channels and markets.

We’re Not Just Filmmakers. We’re Partners in Impact.

We’re a team of full-time producers, editors, and storytellers who specialize in mission-driven work. From education video production to documentary-style brand films, we bring cinematic craft to every story we tell.

Whether you need a commercial videographer for a high-impact campaign or a partner to develop a full creative strategy, we’re built for this.

Ready to Create Your Own Branded Film?

Let’s craft something that actually matters to your audience. Something that builds trust, sparks emotion, and leaves a lasting impression.

👉 Inquire here.

👉 Plus: Download our free guide—5 Questions That Will Make or Break Your Video Projects


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we're storyteller studios

documentary-style film for brands & causes

In 2013, we started leveraging the power of documentary-style film for brands and causes in our hometown of Springfield, Illinois (hence our affinity for Lincoln).

Since then, we’ve worked with clients nationally and traveled to cities including Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Des Moines.

No matter where you are, we’d be honored to serve your brand next.

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