This was a terrifically fun project to work on for Youth Services of Tulsa. It’s appropriately called “Joyful Moments,” as our goal was to illustrate the joy Youth Services brings to its clients.

From the start, we decided to use an on-camera narrator. We felt that featuring a former client would help put a face to Youth Services and keep the viewer focused on the people YST supports. Using a narrator also gave us the opportunity to write a script. When a video is driven solely by interviews and soundbites, it can be hard to control how a message is phrased or delivered. With a script, we had the chance to refine our language and choose just the right words. Filming with a narrator also allowed for multiple takes, so we could adjust the tone and delivery until it felt just right.

Our goal was to showcase as many joyful moments as possible. Sometimes that meant capturing clients smiling directly into the camera. We also wanted to highlight two clients who found housing with the help of YST. What better way to do that than by having them smile and invite us into their apartment?

It was also important to hear from other clients through more traditional interviews. We selected three individuals and interviewed them back-to-back in the same setting. This gave their stories a cohesive look and feel, which is subtly pleasing to viewers.

I’m really proud of how this video came together. It exudes inspiration, hope, and—most importantly—joy. I think it clearly shows the positive impact Youth Services has on our community.