Do You Really Need a Script for Your Brand Video?
Short answer: yes. Long answer: you’re about to read it.
When people think about video production, they usually picture cameras, drones, lights, and actors. But one of the most overlooked parts of a successful brand video is the script. Not necessarily a word-for-word teleprompter read, but a clear outline of what you're saying, showing, and communicating.
In 2025, brands in Boston (and beyond) are investing more in video than ever. But without a plan on paper, you risk wasting time, overspending, and ending up with content that doesn't land.
Let’s walk through why scripting matters so much — and what our scripting process actually looks like here at Bunker Hill Media.
A Script Keeps Everyone on the Same Page
Whether or not our clients are choosing to read off a teleprompter, we will always prepare a script before a shoot. For every single video we’re going to produce with that team.
If you’re a brand who has a legal team who wants to make sure you’re not saying things you shouldn’t be - you should be using a teleprompter and reading from an approved script. No questions asked. If you’re going for more of an interview based vibe where you want people’s answers to be a little more emotional and organic - you should still be prepping a script. Something that will guide you and get you close to what you’re looking for in the end.
Video shoots move fast. You have limited daylight, a busy team, and a finite number of hours to get what you need. A script makes sure you’re not winging it.
Even if we’re not reading lines on camera, we use scripts to:
Align with your marketing goals
Keep messaging focused
Know what b-roll we need to capture
Time out the length of the video
This doesn’t have to be robotic. In fact, scripting allows us to be more creative because we know the framework we’re working within. That gives us the confidence to pivot on set if something amazing happens.
No Scripts Can Lead To Higher Costs
Every hour on set costs money - crew time, gear rentals, location fees, etc. The more efficient the shoot, the better your ROI.
Without a script, you risk:
Needing more shoot days to cover the same ideas
Realizing too late you forgot a key message
Spending more in post-production to "fix it in the edit"
A good script is like a GPS: it keeps us from taking the long, expensive way around.
Scripting Helps With Editing and Voiceovers
Once we start post-production, having a script (or even a rough narrative outline) helps the edit come together faster. We know what the main points are, how they should flow, and whether we need voiceover, captions, or text overlays.
Having a script before hand is essential for the edit.
If we're using interviews, we often script out the desired story arc first. That way, we know what questions to ask and how to pull the best soundbites to build your video.
What Our Script Process Looks Like
Here’s a sneak peek into how we do it at Bunker Hill Media:
Creative Brief: You fill out our doc with your goals, audience, tone, and deliverables.
Content Breakdown: We identify key points, messages, and visuals in a Creative Document
Rough Script: This could be sample narration, key interview questions, or scene outlines.
Script Review: You review and we revise until everyone is aligned.
Shoot Day: With a clear plan, we film confidently and efficiently.
Final Thoughts: Yes, You Probably Do
We’re not saying every brand video needs a script that reads like a Hollywood screenplay. But having some kind of roadmap? Absolutely.
It saves time. It saves money. It saves you from awkward edits and reshoots. And most importantly, it helps tell a story that actually resonates with your audience.
Looking to bring a brand video to life in 2025? Let’s talk about how a simple script could be the difference between “okay” and unforgettable.
