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FREE BRIEF TEMPLATE

A video brief.
The film you meant to make.

An editable brief for brand films, explainers and social video, with sample answers. No email required.

Download Word (.docx)Preview the templateMarkdown (.md)

Word, Google Docs and PDF. No email required.

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BRIEFTemplate preview · Example
01

Purpose and audience

What is the video for? Who will watch it, and where?

02

Message

What should viewers remember? What should they do afterwards?

03

Formats

Length and aspect ratios? Which platforms (web, social, events, TV)?

04

Style

Reference videos you like, and why? Live action, animation or both?

What goes in a video brief?

A video brief captures what a film must do and the practical constraints of making it. Decisions made in the brief — length, platforms, locations, who’s on camera — drive most of the budget, so settle them before you quote with a video production proposal.

The template

Details

  • Client / company: [Name]
  • Completed by: [Name, role]
  • Date: [Date]

Purpose and audience

  • What is the video for? [Answer]
  • Who will watch it, and where? [Answer]

Message

  • What should viewers remember? [Answer]
  • What should they do afterwards? [Answer]

Formats

  • Length and aspect ratios? [Answer]
  • Which platforms (web, social, events, TV)? [Answer]

Style

  • Reference videos you like, and why? [Answer]
  • Live action, animation or both? [Answer]

Production

  • Who appears on camera? [Answer]
  • Locations and access? [Answer]
  • Is there a script, or do we write it? [Answer]

Budget and timing

  • Budget range? [Answer]
  • Delivery date and any fixed shoot dates? [Answer]

How to fill it in

  1. Agree the purpose and audience first.
  2. Write the one message viewers should remember.
  3. List formats, lengths and platforms.
  4. Gather style references and note why each works.
  5. Note who’s on camera, locations and script responsibility.
  6. Confirm budget and dates before quoting.

Use it in Word, Google Docs or PDF

Microsoft Word

  1. Download the Word (.docx) file and open it. If Word opens it in Protected View, select Enable Editing.
  2. Use Find (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) and search for “[” to jump between the placeholders you need to replace.
  3. Save a clean copy as a Word template (File → Save As → Word Template) so every new document starts from it.

Google Docs

  1. Upload the .docx file to Google Drive.
  2. Right-click it and choose Open with → Google Docs, then File → Save as Google Docs to keep an editable copy.
  3. Use File → Make a copy for each new client so your master stays clean.

PDF

Fill it in Word or Google Docs, then export it: File → Save As → PDF in Word, or File → Download → PDF document in Google Docs.

Example: Carrow Health brand film

Sample answers from a fictional client.

Sample answers

  • Purpose? Recruit nurses: show what working at Carrow feels like.
  • Formats? Two-minute film for the careers site; three 15-second vertical cut-downs.
  • On camera? Four staff volunteers; no actors.
  • Deadline? Live for the September recruitment campaign.

Tips for a useful brief

  • Decide formats early; vertical and horizontal shoots differ.
  • Check location and filming permissions before the shoot date.
  • Get release forms for everyone on camera.

MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU

Useful structure.
Your way of working.

01

Agree the objective first.

Everything else in the brief flows from one clear objective. If you can’t agree it in a sentence, the work isn’t ready to start.

02

Name one approver.

A brief with three decision-makers gets three sets of feedback. Agree who signs off and how quickly.

03

Write down what’s fixed.

Budget, deadline and mandatory elements belong in the brief, not in an email three weeks later.

GOOD QUESTIONS

Before you download.

Talk to us
What should a video brief include?

Purpose, audience, key message, call to action, formats and platforms, style references, who appears, locations, script, budget and dates.

Who writes the script?

Either the client or the production company; the brief should say which. If the production company writes it, include scriptwriting in the quote.

How long should a brand video be?

It depends on the platform and goal. Many brand films run one to two minutes, with shorter cut-downs for social.

Can I edit this template in Word or Google Docs?

Yes. Download the Word (.docx) file and open it in Microsoft Word, or upload it to Google Drive and choose Open with → Google Docs. There’s also a Markdown version for any text editor. No account or email address is needed.

How do I save it as a PDF?

Fill it in, then export it: File → Save As → PDF in Word, or File → Download → PDF document in Google Docs. On this page you can also print just the template or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print dialog.

KEEP THE WORK MOVING

The next useful step.

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THE CLIENT EXPERIENCE, IN ORDER

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Bring the work you share with clients into one place.

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