Why is simplicity is the Secret Sauce of Narrative Video Production?
A few years back, I was sitting in my office in Las Vegas on a chilly winter day, uploading a filmmaking tutorial to my YouTube channel. Nothing fancy—just sharing some tips with my small but loyal audience. That’s when my 11-year-old daughter walked in, glanced at my screen, and with genuine surprise said, “Wait… you have a YouTube channel?”
I laughed at first, but then something clicked. To her, YouTube wasn’t just a site—it was the thing. It’s what Steven Spielberg or Robert Rodriguez were to me growing up. It made me realize how much the landscape has changed. Younger audiences still crave stories, but they’re consuming them through Roblox, TikTok, Fortnite, and, yes, YouTube. Traditional cinema isn’t their daily diet anymore.
So what does that mean for us storytellers? Especially those of us who live and breathe narrative video production?
What Narrative Video Production Often Gets Wrong
I’ve asked loads of parents, “Do your kids watch movies anymore?” The answers are usually: “Not really, unless I force them,” or “Only when I suggest it.” Yet when kids do watch classics from the ‘80s or ‘90s, they often love them. My daughter couldn’t get enough of The Goonies. Getting her to press play, though? That was like pulling teeth.
Here’s my take on why: modern films have simply become too complex.
We’ve somehow convinced ourselves that piling on more plot twists, multiple origin stories, and enough Easter eggs to make a rabbit jealous equals depth. In reality, audiences—especially those navigating a digital world overflowing with distractions—crave simplicity.
Simplicity in Narrative Video Production Isn’t Lazy—It’s Smart
We’re all juggling a thousand things. Slack pings, app notifications, texts from family, reminders from work. In this noisy environment, a straightforward story feels like a breath of fresh air.
Years ago, we produced a national spot for a major restaurant chain. It was clever, fun, and boiled down to a single joke. Everyone loved it. Then the revisions came. Marketing wanted an extra scene, legal needed disclaimers, brand had must-haves. The clean 30-second gem ballooned into a bloated 47-second spot. It still aired, but the spark was gone. Had they trusted simplicity, that ad would’ve crushed it.
Keep It Simple, Move People More
Some of the best examples of powerful narrative video production are also the simplest. I’ll never forget a Hallmark commercial from 2024. A dad and daughter sit quietly in a park, sharing a Christmas tradition. Fast forward: she’s grown, busy, misses the tradition, but still connects with her dad through a card. No fancy VFX, no convoluted plot—just a heart-tugging story that still makes me tear up.
If you take anything from this, let it be this: complexity confuses, simplicity sticks.
The Spinning Plates Test for Narrative Video Production
When mentoring young filmmakers or working with clients, I use a simple metaphor. Imagine you’re a performer spinning plates. One plate? Cool. Two? Manageable. Keep adding plates and it all comes crashing down.
Every extra feature, sub-plot, or call-to-action in your video is another plate. Pile on too many and your audience tunes out.
Simplicity Wins Across Different Narrative Video Production Formats
Whether you’re crafting a brand film, explainer, or even a mini-doc, these principles hold up.
Brand videos: Instead of listing every award or product, zero in on one emotion. If you’re a fitness brand, maybe it’s about feeling strong. Build the visuals and script around that.
Testimonials: Don’t film endless interviews. Cut to the core. Use voice-over with b-roll. Edit it like a movie trailer. Make the story pop.
Explainers: Want to see a masterclass? Check out Dropbox’s original explainer video. It’s all about a magic box for your files—simple, memorable, done.
Long-form docs: The longer the piece, the more crucial simplicity becomes. We once shot a 12-minute doc for a veteran non-profit. Tons of interviews and data, but we trimmed it down to three voices and one message: “No one should fight alone.” Donations spiked because of that focus.
Simple Doesn’t Mean Boring—Especially in Narrative Animation
When I direct animated projects, it’s tempting to add everything under the sun. Infinite worlds, visual gags, crazy transitions. But we’ve found the most effective animated narratives are the simplest. One of our shorts was about a trash can who dreams of writing. That’s it. One character, one longing. The clarity made it resonate.
If you’re looking for a local team who “gets it,” we’d love to talk about how to make your narrative video production shine—without overloading it.
Keep the Audience at the Center of Your Focus
Simplicity is really about empathy. It’s not dumbing down your message—it’s lifting up your audience, making it easy for them to connect.
Before approving your next concept, run through this checklist:
- Does it try to do more than one thing?
- Can a 10-year-old get it in under 10 seconds?
- Does it stir an emotion more than rattle off facts?
- Is there a single moment or visual that says it all?
If the answer is yes, you’re on the right track.
Want to Nail Your Narrative Story?
At Indie Film Factory, we’ve spent years helping brands, non-profits, and agencies tell better stories—stories that cut through the noise. If you want a partner who knows how to keep the plates spinning (but only the right ones), reach out to us. We’d love to help.
Remember: the most memorable videos aren’t the most complicated. They’re the ones that speak clearly, hit emotionally, and leave you wanting more.
Keep making movies and Peace out!