A good brief is the cheapest way to get a better film. It helps production companies quote accurately, and it forces the important decisions to be made before anyone picks up a camera. Here is a simple template you can copy.

The template

1. About your organisation

Two or three sentences on who you are and what you do.

2. The purpose of the film

What should the film achieve? Raise funds, report to donors, train staff, influence a policy? Pick one main purpose.

3. The audience

Who exactly will watch it, and where: a donor meeting, your website, social media, a community screening?

4. The key message

If the audience remembers one thing, what should it be?

5. The call to action

What should the viewer do next?

6. Stories and locations

Which people, places or projects could feature? Include counties and any access considerations.

7. Deliverables

Main film length, cut-downs, languages, subtitles, photographs.

8. Timeline

Key dates and any hard deadlines, such as a conference or a funding round.

9. Budget

A range is fine. Without one, production companies have to guess. Our cost guide can help.

10. Consent and safeguarding

Will the film include children or vulnerable people? Share your safeguarding policy and who your safeguarding lead is.

11. Branding and approvals

Brand guidelines, donor logo requirements and who signs off.

12. Contacts

Who the production company should speak to, including field staff.

Tips

• Keep it to two pages.
• Share examples of films you like, and say why.
• Be honest about constraints: budget, access, time.

When your brief is ready, send it to us and we will come back with questions or a quote. See also how to choose a video partner.

Afrovo Studios is a Nairobi-based production company making films for NGOs, conservation groups and purpose-led organisations across East Africa. If you are planning a project, get in touch.