Frequently Asked Questions

At 50 Pictures, we help businesses discover and tell their most powerful stories through video. Our unique StoryFINDING-to-StoryTELLING Process enables you to consistently create original and compelling narratives that engage your target audience.

We're storytelling specialists first, video producers second. We provide more than just broadcast experience and expertise. We offer a reliable and repeatable process that demystifies the dark art of finding and telling stories that work.

UNDERSTANDING STORYTELLING

The human brain is hardwired to detect change – a survival trait inherited from our ancestors. Stories always revolve around some kind of change. Being curious creatures, we can't ignore that change. As Charles Darwin noted, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."

A great story is a constant cycle of causes and effects that create information gaps that trigger our innate curiosity. A murder mystery is an excellent example of this. It maintains tension by answering one question while raising another - Why did that happen? What's going to happen next? - making it impossible to look away.

We are hyper-social animals, naturally drawn to understanding others' experiences. A character-driven story is a portal into another perspective, creating emotional connections. When we follow a relatable protagonist through challenges and breakthroughs, their journey becomes ours. This Narrative Transportation - when we engage with the action as if the events were happening to us - makes stories the most effective and authentic form of human communication.

Stories cut through our natural defences. By thinking and feeling like a character in a story, we experience change from the inside rather than resist change pushed at us from the outside. Stories also enable your business or brand to claim a unique position in your market. When you tell an authentic story, you transcend traditional competition because no one else can tell your story.

OUR PROCESS AND APPROACH

As Pablo Picasso noted, "Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working." Creativity and inspiration enhance storytelling, but a blank page can be paralysing. You need boundaries and limitations – whether in budget, timescale, or resources – to spark innovation and force creative solutions. A process creates constraints, gives you a starting point, and ensures attention to detail at every step by making you adhere to specific rules. Again, Picasso has a good line: "Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist."

A consistent framework (a schedule, an order of events to follow, a clear direction) frees you up to develop and create original ideas. Focus and efficiency give you the space for play and imagination. Our process provides guiding rails, not rigid formulas. Like a GPS offering multiple routes, it allows you to explore while keeping you on track. It:
- Eliminates the need to wait for inspiration
- Provides clear direction and milestones
- Creates space for exploration and play
- Lets you test ideas while maintaining momentum
Another big benefit of a following a process is that when a wave of inspiration rises, you have a surefooted surfboard beneath your feet and you can ride that wave to its end.

Where problems exist, you find people. And where people face problems, you find a story. So StoryFINDING begins with a search for a compelling character facing a challenge. As David Mamet explains: "Every scene must start because the hero has a problem, and culminate with them either thwarted or educated that another way exists." This dramatic tension drives audience engagement.

Our proven process typically spans 8-12 weeks:

StoryFINDING Phase (3-4 weeks):
- Strategy and Purpose Definition
- Story Detecting
People Portraits
Story Exploration

StoryTELLING Phase (5-8 weeks):
- Defining the Story Elements - Protagonist, Purpose, Problem, Place
- Choosing the Story Archetype - Plot
Refining the Story Shape
Scripting, Storyboarding, Testing
Crafting the Story
Optimising and Delivering the Story

Complex projects may require additional time. During our initial consultation, we'll create a tailored timeline for you.

WORKING TOGETHER

DELIVERABLES AND DISTRIBUTION

Ready to tell your story?

Join us for a free 30-minute Discovery Call, during which we'll explore your vision and show you how our StoryFINDING process uncovers the authentic, compelling narratives within your business.

Whether you have a specific project in mind or are just beginning to explore video storytelling, we're here to help you find and tell your unique story. To book your free Discovery Call, click the link below, and we’ll be in touch.