Brand Films
Stories that reveal who you are.
Brand Films were born when the University of Tennessee’s College of Communication and Information approached Lamplighter with a simple but powerful question:
Can you help us tell our story?
The Public Speaking Center had existed for years, quietly serving students across campus — yet many people didn’t know it was there or understand the impact it was having. The leadership realized they hadn’t fully told their story, and they wanted to change that.
Together, we created a film that captured not just what the center does, but why it matters. Through interviews with faculty and students, the story unfolded — one of confidence gained, voices strengthened, and lives changed. That film now lives on campus as a touchpoint for connection, pride, and possibility.
And from that collaboration, Lamplighter’s approach to brand films took shape.
What a Brand Film Really Is
A brand film is not an advertisement.
It’s a story — one that reveals the heart of an organization, the people behind it, and the values that guide its work. It’s about helping others understand why you exist, not just what you offer.
Often, organizations are so busy doing good work that they forget to pause and tell their own story. And when a story goes untold, connection is lost. Opportunities for partnership, support, and understanding quietly pass by.
A Lamplighter brand film brings that story into the light.
When someone watches one of our films, they should walk away with a clear sense of your values, your humanity, and your purpose. They should recognize the faces behind the work and feel invited into the mission itself.
Story Before Strategy
What sets Lamplighter apart is our belief that story comes first.
We begin with curiosity — not a script. We listen. We ask questions. We seek to understand where an organization has been, where it is now, and where it hopes to go. Past, present, and future are always connected, and when those threads are woven together, something powerful emerges.
Brand films are not about performance. They’re about presence.
They feel warm, grounded, and human — never clinical or corporate. Humanity always comes through, because people connect with people, not slogans.
The Process
Every brand film begins with conversation.
We take time to understand the heart of the organization, its culture, and the story it wants to tell. From there, we design a process that fits the people involved — some clients prefer to be deeply collaborative, others prefer to entrust the vision to us. Both approaches are welcomed.
Interviews are guided, not scripted. Questions are designed to invite honesty, reflection, and depth. We intentionally create an environment where people can relax, forget the cameras, and speak from the heart.
Clients are involved throughout the process and always have the opportunity to review and approve the final film. Trust is foundational — and it’s earned through care, transparency, and follow-through.
Where Brand Films Live
Brand films are versatile by design. They live on:
→ Websites
→ Social media platforms
→ Recruitment and onboarding materials
→ Fundraising campaigns
→ Presentations and internal culture-building
Because we go deeper than surface-level messaging, these films continue to serve organizations long after their initial release.
Why Lamplighter
Lamplighter is not a large agency — and that’s intentional.
We don’t carry layers of overhead or cookie-cutter formulas. Instead, we bring presence, craft, and care. You’re not hiring a vendor; you’re inviting in a storyteller who believes your story matters.
If someone were to ask why they should trust us, the answer is simple:
Watch how we work. Watch how we listen. Watch how we show up.
Our goal is never to impose a narrative — it’s to reveal the one that’s already there.
