Turning Stats into Stories: How myFutureNC Inspired Action Through Compelling Video Narratives
Video Objectives
Engage donors and community partners with an informative video case statement and persuasive call to action
Visualize statistics so they personalize the nonprofit’s mission and vision for constituents in different regions across the state
The nonprofit organization myFutureNC has a bold vision for our state: by 2030, two million North Carolinians will have a high-quality credential or postsecondary degree. But to achieve that goal, myFuture needs the support of more community members who understand the weight of the issue and the importance of their mission. So they turned to the Grid to make the case for their cause using video that inspires action.
MyFutureNC wanted to turn North Carolina’s student educational attainment and life outcome statistics into compelling visuals that make the issue real, personal, and memorable for their audiences. So they needed region-specific videos with moving and data-driven stories representing eight NC regions.
To help make that happen, we aimed to shift the focus from the stats themselves to the real people behind the numbers. In each of the eight high schools from across the state, we aimed to anchor the video with a 100-student demonstration that visualized the data, while animated text and motion graphics would underscore the live-action footage and b-roll of the ideal educational experience myFutureNC envisions for students would emphasize their message.
After collaborating with the myFutureNC team on the script, we worked closely with them and the schools to work out the logistics of shooting in eight locations in their one-month project timeline. This called for a lot of agility as the many school schedule curve balls that inevitably happen - closures due to snow or high winds, student and superintendent schedule changes - happened. But when we headed to each of the high schools, we maximized our time with the 100 students who gathered in the gymnasium for the shoot day. Because we had 30 minutes or less with them before they had to get back to class, when they arrived, we were ready to roll. And between pre-production planning, efficient shoot day logistics, and the students’ enthusiasm, all eight videos had great footage that showed the real people behind the numbers.
Now myFutureNC has a compelling set of videos they can use on their website, social media channels, and in donor communications that gives real-life context to the statistics they are working to change. And with the help of the students whose futures are at the heart of their mission, they have an engaging video case statement that motivates audiences to take action and join their efforts to make those stats a thing of the past.
Project Highlights
Video Format: Infographic, explainer
Production Features: On-location shoot, motion graphics
On shoot days, it was all about speed. We’d arrive early, create the two-camera and teleprompter set up, pre-light the set, and run through the script on the teleprompter with the superintendent. When the students arrived, we got two solid takes, and then sent them back to class.
To drive home the collective and personal impact of their mission, we captured and intercut wide shots of the group with medium close-ups of individual students as each wave of students left the frame and the motion graphic counter in the corner ticked down.
Visiting eight schools across NC in a month meant we had to work closely with the myFutureNC team and each school to make it happen. There were a lot of moving parts, so we kept our team small and nimble so we could adapt on the fly.
Do you have a mission and message that you want to communicate in a way that sticks with your audience? Contact us and we’ll help you craft video that gives you real results.