Unveiling the Heart of Your Video: The Power of Finding Your Character

Jamie Perez • December 1, 2023

The journey of creating a compelling video shares a striking resemblance to writing a book or making a cinematic film. At its core, the secret ingredient that binds these things together is the presence of a well-defined character. But how do you tell a visual story with a character? How do you identify who that should be? What traits should they have? Just as novels revolve around protagonists and movies are built on central figures, videos should also focus on a character to draw viewers in, making them care, invest, and become emotionally immersed in the narrative.

The Heartbeat of Your Story

Imagine reading a book without a relatable main character or watching a movie devoid of a central figure to root for. The story would fall flat, lacking the emotional anchor that tugs at your heartstrings. Similarly, in videos, the character serves as the heartbeat of your story. Whether you're creating a promotional video for your business or sharing a personal tale, having a character allows your audience to connect with the narrative on a deeper level. People connect with people! Not products, services or other non-human things.

Creating an Emotional Connection

Characters serve as conduits for emotion, helping viewers forge a meaningful connection with your video. When a character encounters challenges, overcomes obstacles, or experiences triumphs, viewers can empathize and share in their emotional journey. It helps to know who your target audience is beforehand so the connection can easily be made with intention. This helps project a good narrative in your video. This connection engages the audience, making them more likely to invest their time and attention. Just like flipping pages in a book, they eagerly follow along, rooting for the character's success.

A Window into Relatability

The power of a well-developed character lies in their ability to mirror the human experience. When viewers see aspects of themselves, their struggles, or their dreams reflected in the character, it fosters a sense of relatability. It generates the thought, “ If they can overcome that, so can I",” oRThis, in turn, creates a sense of intimacy between the audience and the narrative. Whether your video is promoting a product, advocating for a cause, or sharing a personal story, a relatable character serves as a bridge that brings your message to life.

Sustaining Interest and Curiosity

Much like turning pages to unravel a book's plot, a character-driven video keeps viewers engaged and curious about what happens next. The character becomes a beacon of intrigue, guiding the audience through the twists and turns of the story. As viewers invest in the character's journey, they become emotionally invested in the video's outcome, ensuring they stay connected until the very end.

In Conclusion

In the grand tapestry of storytelling, whether on the pages of a novel, the silver screen, or the screen of a video, a central character is the luminous thread that weaves the narrative together. By embracing the essence of character-driven storytelling, you unlock the potential to create videos that resonate deeply, evoke empathy, and inspire action. Just as a memorable character transforms a good book into a literary masterpiece, a well-developed character can elevate your video from mere content to a captivating experience worth savoring.

Owner of Beyond Words Jamie Perez interviews woman on camera in studio setting
By Jamie Perez April 30, 2025
Owner of Beyond Words Jamie Perez interviews woman on camera in studio setting
A person is holding a video camera on a tripod.
By Jamie Perez April 28, 2025
We see this time and time again... organizations wanting to tell an emotive story through video and then being disappointed that the final product wasn't as heart-tugging as they'd hoped. This mainly happens for three reasons: 1. Controlling the narrative. There are too many cooks in the kitchen. Organizations want to include everyone in the conversation and then there's too many opinions on what should be included in the video, who should be included, what should be shown, etc. This convolutes the message and becomes a jamboree of information and takes away from the natural flow of what the true story should be. 2. Trying to fit everything into one video. Organizations often don't think about what it truly means to tell a story. It's not talking about all the facts and features of the organizations, the different types of programs, showing the building, etc. We don't need to know everything about you. We KNOW you're doing incredible work, but we can read the facts and figures through the caption or text on your website. What we want to see and feel is the stories and emotions that accompany what you do. Which brings us to the next point... 3. Focusing on the features rather than the people. While it's great to inform people of the logistics of your organization -- those things are often not unique and they don't really retain people's attention. What does accomplish these two things, however, is gripping people by the heartstrings by focusing on one or two people's stories to show the audience the impact you make. It's not about telling me all the generalities of your organization. We really need to hyperfocus on ONE story that embodies the difference you make in people's lives. Remember what a story truly is. It has characters, it follows a journey, it presents a problem, a solution, has layers, and evokes emotion. If your videos are mostly just a summary of what you do as an organization, then you haven't really told a story. You've told me WHAT your organization does. The true heartfelt stories are always found in the WHY.
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