Why a process?
Fiction writers might follow their muse, but for brands and organisations, stories need a clear purpose. You can’t wait around for inspiration. Your story has a job to do.
That's why you need a proven framework - a reliable process that keeps everything on track and creates the time and the space for powerful ideas to emerge.
At 50 Pictures, we divide this process into two phases: StoryFINDING and StoryTELLING.
StoryFINDING - The Input Phase
Shoot later. Ask questions first.
In this phase, we gather the raw materials for your story. StoryFINDING is all about asking questions, listening deeply, remaining open-minded and curious about everything, and writing it all down!
1. Map the Story World
Before we can dive into ideas, we need to understand the bigger picture: your story world. This is the space where your story will unfold, shaped by your people, context, and goals. Through deep-dive conversations and research (both online and in person), we uncover the themes, challenges, and unique opportunities that make your story worth telling. We’re creating a kind of treasure map here, with the Xs marking the spots where we need to dig deeper.
1. Map the Story World
Before we can dive into ideas, we need to understand the bigger picture: your story world. This is the space where your story will unfold, shaped by your people, context, and goals. Through deep-dive conversations and research (both online and in person), we uncover the themes, challenges, and unique opportunities that make your story worth telling. We’re creating a kind of treasure map here, with the Xs marking the spots where we need to dig deeper.
1. Map the Story World
Before we can dive into ideas, we need to understand the bigger picture: your story world. This is the space where your story will unfold, shaped by your people, context, and goals. Through deep-dive conversations and research (both online and in person), we uncover the themes, challenges, and unique opportunities that make your story worth telling. We’re creating a kind of treasure map here, with the Xs marking the spots where we need to dig deeper.
1. Map the Story World
Before we can dive into ideas, we need to understand the bigger picture: your story world. This is the space where your story will unfold, shaped by your people, context, and goals. Through deep-dive conversations and research (both online and in person), we uncover the themes, challenges, and unique opportunities that make your story worth telling. We’re creating a kind of treasure map here, with the Xs marking the spots where we need to dig deeper.
StoryTELLING - The Output Phase
Six steps to success
In this phase, guided by your Focus Words, we transform the raw elements we’ve gathered into a compelling
screen story. We define the characters and conflicts, explore story possibilities through creative play
and
experimentation, and shape the narrative to align with your goals - bringing it all to life through
cinematic
production and editing.
1. Refine the Story Elements
We now identify and agree on
your
story's first four fundamental elements (our Process Ps):
an engaging PERSON with a PURPOSE striving to solve a PROBLEM in a particular PLACE.
3. Shape the Story
How we tell a story is down to its shape, which is dictated by PLOT. We experiment with various plot lines - peaks, troughs, and wiggly bits - to find out which one chimes with your Focus Words and generates the strongest emotional response.
5. Shoot and Edit
This is the most technical,
practical part of the process, where we bring your story from script to screen in three steps.
Planning: Pre-production (the logistics) - locations, schedules, and everything else we need to do to
ensure a smooth shoot.
Shooting: Production - capturing the story in sound and vision.
Editing: Post-production - turning the raw footage into a finished story via the offline edit, two
rounds
of revisions, and a final polish.
2. Explore Story Stuff
Here's where we create the space for exploration and playfulness as we brainstorm story possibilities, looking at: unexpected angles, quirky connections, recurring themes, deeper meanings, coincidences, subtle clues and signals, 'what if' scenarios, and any underlying patterns. This is where the raw materials start to coalesce into solid story ideas. When we hit on an idea that sparks curiosity or tension, and aligns with your W.O.R.K.S. objectives, we know we’re on the path to a compelling story.
4. Script - Storyboard - Test
With our story shape identified, it's time to nail the plot points and build detailed scenes, scripts, and storyboards. We test the first draft, listen to feedback, and rewrite - strengthening the emerging themes and tones. Once we’ve signed off the final draft and storyboards, we’re ready for production.
6. Optimise and Deliver
When you're ready to share your
story with the world, we optimise and export it for every platform:
- Owned media (your channels)
- Earned media (word-of-mouth)
- Paid media (targeted reach)
Making sure your story W.O.R.K.S.
Our StoryFINDING-to-StoryTELLING Process doesn't end with the delivery of the story to your audience.
Every
story we tell is a chance to learn and improve. We track engagement, retention, and conversions across all
platforms. Then, using those insights, we refine your strategy so each new story builds on the success of
the
last.
Ready to start your story?
