Let people tell the story
From quick updates on the latest news in Dutch-language music to civil servants discussing impressive automation in traffic management; from healthcare staff who enjoy working and learning to young people learning a trade through hands-on experience—for a wide range of topics, the best approach is often to let the people involved tell their own stories. Of course, this presents a challenge: keeping the narrative clear and engaging, even when the person on camera isn’t an experienced speaker. It’s about capturing the viewer’s attention and ensuring the essential points are conveyed effectively. I have had the opportunity to take on this challenge for various clients, helping them present their stories powerfully.
Technolution wanted to showcase their product, MobiMaestro, through user testimonials. MobiMaestro is a software suite that allows for the integration and centralized management of various traffic-related elements in public spaces. Ten users were interviewed, each offering a slightly different perspective; I wove all this information together into a coherent narrative. To ensure brand consistency, I adopted the product’s website design and style. Separate videos were created for each testimonial, alongside a compilation video in which the various users complement one another, giving the viewer a clear overview of the product’s capabilities.
I also found the perfect theme music for these videos: classical instruments (Maestro) combined with a modern, up-tempo rhythm that reflects the constant pace of traffic and the decisions involved. I also animated the ‘maestro’ in the logo to highlight that element. For the video as a whole, I incorporated footage of conductors—maestros—who are, in a sense, conducting the traffic. After all, that is essentially what you do with MobiMaestro.
Managers, supervisors, and staff members explain the many opportunities for a career in healthcare at Noorderboog, including prospects for career advancement and internal training. I created this mini-documentary about working in healthcare at Noorderboog based on the interviews conducted. Given the wealth of information, it was crucial to capture the key takeaway from each person’s story and weave those individual accounts into a single, compelling narrative. To keep the video engaging, I introduce a new person with a fresh story throughout the piece, using name slides styled in line with Noorderboog’s branding. The result is a collection of stories highlighting human connection and the value of helping others—stories that can inspire potential new healthcare staff to join the team.
RPA is a collaboration between schools and technical companies in Steenwijkerland designed to train young people and career switchers locally for roles in installation and process technology. The videos I created for this project target a much younger audience—specifically, those who enjoy hands-on work. I incorporated the colors and gear motifs from the flyer design into the videos to create a look that feels youthful and technical. The content features fast-paced, short quotes from RPA students and mentors, complemented by “text gears” to provide a clear, structured overview—reflecting the same structured approach required for the work they will eventually perform.
Or show it with motion graphics
No matter how eloquently people speak on camera, some things simply need to be shown—yet a camera cannot always capture them. How, for instance, do you visualize intangible software used to control public lighting? Or a new vision for residential circuits? Or complex schedules that reveal interesting details? This is where animation proves invaluable. It allows you to present a clear image—one that becomes even clearer when set in motion. You can pinpoint exactly what you mean, enabling the viewer to form a solid mental picture. And, as the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Montad wanted short animated videos about MOON-online for their website. These videos needed to provide potential customers with a clear picture of the product—central management software for public lighting—covering everything from schedule-based control to maintenance management. Montad had already started the project with another production company; the script was ready and the presentation had been recorded. However, the project had stalled because the animation did not meet expectations.
I used the presentation footage and the script as a starting point and immersed myself in MOON and its interface. After all, I didn’t want to show what a light pole or traffic light looks like—the target audience already knows that. What I wanted to illustrate was how they are controlled. A key feature (and a point of pride) of MOON was its mapping capability, allowing you to see the placement of objects in public spaces. It also used layers to display various data on the map, such as information regarding malfunctions, service life, or energy consumption. I traced the road layout of an industrial park and an adjacent residential area in Tilburg—the location of Montad’s headquarters. Additionally, I created and animated a simplified yet recognizable graphic representation of the software to support the narrative. I placed the MOON logo on a 3D processor element, which plays a central role throughout the piece; after all, it is the MOON software that centrally manages all tasks and provides a comprehensive overview.
Bethel Free Baptist Church in Drachten asked me to create a video about their home groups—small church groups that meet every two weeks. Based on the information provided, I developed a script and decided to present the concept through animation. For the visual style, I chose colors and figures that matched the materials already used for the home groups. I included one contrasting color—a red heart—to symbolize how these home groups serve as the beating heart of the congregation. I wanted to start with the Bible passage from Acts that describes how the early church functioned, illustrating how today’s home groups can operate in a similar way. I depicted this using a “Lord’s Supper” setting featuring bread and wine—imagery that is very familiar within the church. Incorporating such recognizable elements makes the idea of home groups feel like a tangible and achievable goal for church members.
For a time, the Bethel Free Baptist Church made use of a “sermon screen”—a large TV display on the stage where the speaker could stand while reading (Biblical) texts and showing images or other supporting visual aids during the sermon. One such element involved animated timelines. For instance, the speaker wanted to visualize the ages and dates mentioned in Genesis—revealing, for example, that Noah’s father was 56 years old when Adam, the first human, died. Another example was a timeline illustrating how God spoke to Israel on numerous occasions through judges, prophets, and kings—followed by a sudden 400-year silence leading up to the birth of Christ.
I built the timelines in Adobe After Effects. Using scripts allowed me to easily duplicate elements and then enter the year to position them correctly in time. All that remained was to animate the movement over time, incorporating pauses. I prepared these individual movements as separate video clips so the system would automatically pause, allowing the speaker to elaborate on the content. It makes for a great interactive display on the pulpit screen to support the narrative.
More than just images with music
Ultimately, it always comes down to that golden combination: telling the story and supporting it with visuals. This is particularly important for ‘aftermovies,’ for instance. You can find such aftermovies online for almost any event, yet they often consist merely of trendy footage edited to a catchy beat. The viewer gets little sense of exactly what they are watching—what kind of event it is, why it is so special, or what sets it apart from others. With every video, I aim to capture the atmosphere and substance of the event so that the viewer gains a clear, comprehensive picture of what it is all about. Show it, let it be heard, let people speak, and—if necessary—use on-screen text to support the visuals. Together, all these elements tell the story of that unique event.
This festival is dedicated to the world’s “Blue Zones”—the places where people are happiest and healthiest. The event aims to showcase what these places are like and what we in our own society can learn from them, covering everything from nutrition and social interaction to the effective design of public spaces. All these topics were explored through lectures and creative workshops. In the aftermovie, I feature various attendees sharing what they learned at the festival; combined with compelling quotes from speakers, beautiful footage, and fitting music, this provides a great overview of what makes the festival so unique.
Inwoners van Steenwijkerland zijn voor één dag uitgenodigd om gratis bezoekjes te brengen aan verschillende horeca en entertainment bedrijven in de regio. Het was een prachtige dag waar alle activiteiten goed werden bezocht. Om de kijker mee te nemen in dit initiatief heb ik de video ondersteunt met grafische teksten en interviews met bezoekers van het evenement. Onder andere lokale bewoners die aangaven nieuwe dingen te hebben ontdekt, ook al woonden ze er al jaren. Dit soort informatie maakt de video af, want je weet waar dit evenement echt om draait: ontdekken wat dichtbij prachtig is. Een uitnodiging voor de volgende keer voor alle inwoners van Steenwijkerland.
Edison Awards are presented annually for jazz and classical music as well. These events—where musicians are honored for their achievements—take place at the AFAS Theater in Leusden, accompanied by a delicious meal. StreamNL handled the event coverage, and I was able to create aftermovies by capturing additional footage with a handheld camera. Since I had also created the event’s graphic content, I could seamlessly incorporate that visual style into the aftermovie. Through a combination of visuals, music, and carefully selected soundbites, the videos provide a great summary and impression of the entire day; they capture far more than just the music itself.