How to brief a director (so you actually get what you want)
A good brief is not a shot list. It’s a clear problem, a strong point of view, and enough room for a director to surprise you. Here’s the shape I ask for.
Start with the job, not the format
Before “we want a 30-second film”, tell me what the work has to do: who it’s for, what they should feel, and what has to change after they’ve seen it.
Give me the truth, not the polish
The best briefs include the awkward bits — the thing you’re unsure of, the competitor you’re worried about, the line legal won’t let you say. That’s where the interesting creative usually hides.
Leave room
Specify the intent, not every frame. If you’ve hired the right director, the brief is the beginning of the conversation — not the end of it.
Want a second pair of eyes on a brief before it goes out? Get in touch.
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