how to brief a creative studio for a fashion film
Working with a creative studio on a fashion film is exciting, it’s where your collection meets moving imagery. But to transform your vision into a powerful campaign, a clear brief is essential. A strong brief helps the studio understand your goals, avoids miscommunication, and ensures the final film feels authentically “you.”
So, we’ve created a helpful guide on how to brief a creative studio for a fashion short film!
1. Define Your Objective
Start with your why. Ask yourself:
What is the purpose of this film?
Do you want to build brand awareness, launch a new collection, or capture timeless content for your website and socials?
Is the aim emotional storytelling, or sharp commercial content?
A strong objective will give the creative team direction and keep the entire production aligned.
2. Share Your Brand Story
No film can exist without context, so it’s best to share some additional information to make sure your vision is will come to life. Give some insights to:
Your brand’s vision, values, and aesthetic.
References to past campaigns, editorials, or imagery that reflect your style.
Keywords that describe your brand (e.g., empowering, cinematic, modern heritage, chic).
Think of this as giving your studio the “soul” of your project so that your film feels unmistakably yours.
3. Outline the Creative Direction
While the studio will guide the artistic approach, it helps if you come prepared with ideas:
What mood or tone should the film carry? (e.g., raw documentary vs polished editorial)
Do you have specific locations in mind (studio, outdoors, city, nature)?
Are there cultural or heritage influences you want to highlight?
Moodboards, reference films, or even a Pinterest link can go a long way here.
4. Be Clear on Deliverables
Different projects need different outputs, so it’s best clarify this in your brief:
Final formats (short social reels, a hero film, behind-the-scenes edits).
Length (15s, 30s, 1 min+).
Aspect ratios (9:16 for Instagram/TikTok, 16:9 for YouTube).
This helps the studio plan filming efficiently and avoid costly reshoots.
5. Budget & Timelines
It’s best to be transparent early on:
What is your working budget?
When do you need the final film delivered?
Are there any key dates (collection launch, fashion week, campaign drop) the studio should build around?
Studios can scale ideas up or down, but only if they know what’s possible.
6. Collaboration & Feedback
Make space for collaboration. Share how you’d like to give feedback:
Do you prefer to see draft edits, or trust the studio until the final cut?
Will multiple stakeholders be involved in approvals?
How do you want to communicate (calls, email, project tools)?
The smoother the communication, the stronger the final film.
7. Inspiration but Openness
Bring your vision, but also allow the studio’s expertise to shine. The best films often come from a blend of your brand identity and the creative freedom of the studio.
A well-prepared brief is the bridge between your vision and a stunning fashion film. By defining your objectives, sharing your story, and being clear on deliverables, you set your creative partners up for success.
So ready to work together?
Get in touch with us or download our creative template brief to get started!