The 5 parts of a great mediation video
When I got into the mediation videos business it was important to me to understand what makes a mediation video work. I spoke with several attorneys and saw examples of mediation videos that won big, and mediation videos that failed miserably. Since then, my clients have all been happy with my work and have continued to see higher than expected settlements. There is a lot of good advice I could share about creating a winning video. Here I have boiled my thoughts down to 5 simple and foundational aspects of a fantastic mediation video:
Overview:
Tell a Story
Emotional Connection
Compelling Visuals
Applicable Testimonials and Expert Opinions
Filmmaking Basics
1. Tell a Story: A great mediation video should effectively tell the story of the case in a clear and concise manner. It should have a clear beginning, middle and an end. When I make a video I typically structure it into three acts. Act One depicts life before the accident, Act Two depicts life during the experience of the accident, and Act Three depicts who life has changed since the accident. The story you tell should outline the key facts, events, and relevant details to help viewers grasp the main points of the dispute. It should be organized and easy to follow, ensuring that all parties involved can understand the narrative being presented.
3. Emotional Connection: A successful mediation video should aim to establish an emotional connection with the viewers. By showcasing the human side of the case, including genuine emotions, struggles, and challenges faced by the injured party, the video can generate empathy and understanding from the opposing party and mediator. This emotional connection can have a significant impact on negotiations and potential resolutions. Adjusters, opposing counsel, and mediators typically do not get to experience the emotions of a case when simply looking at documents and medical records. During the video shoot, It is up to the interviewer to help your clients be vulnerable and authentic enough to let their true emotions show.
2. Compelling Visuals: The use of compelling visuals is crucial in a mediation video. This includes relevant photographs, videos, diagrams, and animations that help depict the circumstances surrounding the personal injury case. The visuals should be high-quality and impactful, as they play a significant role in engaging the viewers and evoking empathy or understanding.
4. Applicable Testimonials and Expert Opinions: Including authentic testimonials and expert opinions in a mediation video adds credibility and enhances the persuasive power of the content. Testimonials from the injured party, witnesses, or medical professionals help to convey the impact of the injury on the individual's life. Expert opinions can provide valuable insights into the technical aspects of the case and reinforce the strength of the argument being presented.
5. Filmmaking Basics: The emotional impact of your story can be completely derailed by bad audio, poorly lit or badly framed shots, and sloppy editing. I am not saying that you need extremely expensive equipment or intensive training to make a great video. Simply pay attention to the basics and it'll make a huge impact. Use a microphone, make sure the room has plenty of light and ensure that the person being interviewed is comfortable.
By incorporating these five components into a mediation video, you can create a powerful and impactful visual tool that helps convey the strength of their client's case, promotes understanding, and increases the chances of getting the settlement your client deserves.