Category Archives: Education

How to Use Video to Showcase Your University

Video is one of the most powerful tools in higher education marketing. It brings your university to life for prospective students, alumni, funders, and the public. Done right, it builds trust, tells stories that stick, and sets you apart in a crowded sector.

This guide explores how to use video content strategically — to show what your university stands for, who it’s for, and why it matters.

1. Bring Student Life to Life

Students aren’t just choosing a course — they’re choosing a place to belong. Video helps them picture themselves on campus, meet the community, and imagine the life they could lead there. The more authentic and varied the content, the more it resonates.

Tips:

  • Capture real moments — move-in day, freshers’ events, study sessions, downtime.

  • Let students speak in their own words — avoid over-scripting.

  • Keep it short and platform-friendly: 30–90 seconds for Instagram, 60 seconds for TikTok, 2–3 minutes for YouTube.

  • Use vertical formats for social stories and reels.

2. Showcase Research in a Way People Understand

Your university is doing important work — but to get attention, that work needs to be understood. Video helps translate complex research into stories that engage external audiences, from prospective students to policy-makers.

Tips:

  • Focus on impact: what the research does, not just what it is.

  • Use animation or graphics to visualise data and processes clearly.

  • Keep it simple and jargon-free — write for a curious 16-year-old.

  • Include the researchers on camera to humanise the work.

Here’s a film we created for Southampton’s Photonics department about the impact of their work on battling climate change.

3. Tell Stories Through the People Who Make Your University Unique

The best university videos focus on people. Staff, students and alumni bring your values to life. When people speak from the heart, it builds credibility and emotional connection — something brand messages alone can’t achieve.

Tips:

  • Use unscripted interviews and conversational tone.

  • Film across departments, years, and roles to reflect your diversity.

  • Mix talking heads with b-roll footage that shows what people do, not just what they say.

  • Prioritise natural lighting, authentic locations, and real interactions.

4. Support the Recruitment Journey with the Right Content at the Right Time

Video can ease uncertainty, answer questions, and nudge action — but only if it’s aligned to where students are in their decision-making journey. From early inspiration to final enrolment, each stage needs a different kind of content.

Tips:

  • Use brand films and student life content at the awareness stage.

  • Share department-level videos and course explainers for students comparing options.

  • Offer how-to videos for applications, finance, visas and accommodation at conversion.

  • Embed video in key pages: subject landing pages, admissions, and FAQs.

Check out this film we created for Regent’s University London that talks about their luxury hospitality management course!

5. Inspire Alumni and Donors with Purpose-Driven Content

For alumni and donors, it’s all about impact — what their support has helped achieve, and why it matters. Video helps make that emotional connection, turning abstract causes into personal stories.

Tips:

  • Film scholarship recipients talking about what funding has enabled.

  • Highlight how alumni gifts have changed facilities, research, or student support.

  • Create short ‘thank you’ videos for donor stewardship.

  • Repurpose content for events, emails, and social channels.

6. Get More Value from Every Shoot

You don’t need a big production every time. One shoot can generate multiple pieces of content if planned properly — helping you stretch your budget and keep your channels active.

Tips:

  • Capture both horizontal (YouTube/web) and vertical (social) footage.

  • Plan interviews with multiple uses in mind — short clips, reels, long-form edits.

  • Get extra b-roll while you’re on campus: people walking, chatting, studying.

  • Create a visual content library for future edits and seasonal reuse.

Final Thought: Lead with Story. Let Video Do the Work.

Video isn’t just a marketing add-on. It’s one of the clearest ways to express who you are, what you value, and how you’re changing lives. When you lead with real stories, real people and real purpose, video becomes more than content — it becomes proof. Give us a shout if you want to create video content for your University!

Introduction

Choosing the right video production company is about more than technical skill — it’s about finding a team that truly understands your sector. A specialist video agency doesn’t just film beautifully — it speaks your language, understands your challenges, and knows how to connect with your audience. Whether you need a story-driven charity film, a product video that sells, or a recruitment piece that lands, working with a sector-specific video production company delivers better creative, more strategic messaging, and stronger results.

Here’s why partnering with a specialist makes a big difference:

  • Faster onboarding: No need to explain your sector or audience; they already get it.
  • Strategic insight: From regulations to buyer behaviour, specialists understand the nuances.
  • Tailored storytelling: Every film is shaped by experience in what works for your industry.
  • Increased trust and authority: Sector-aligned videos look and feel more authentic.
  • Better ROI: Less wasted time, sharper ideas, and content that lands with the right people.

This guide highlights the best UK-based video production companies who openly declare their sector specialism!

 

Close-up of a professional video production setup on an outdoor film set.

The Best Video Production Company for Education: Small Films

Experts in education-focused content — from admissions films and open day walk-throughs to trust-wide recruitment and campaign storytelling. Deep sector knowledge means we speak to students, parents, and educators with clarity and impact.

The Best Video Production Company for Automotive: Panoptic Motion

With a sleek, performance-driven aesthetic, Panoptic Motion delivers high-octane films for luxury brands, motor retailers, and performance vehicle manufacturers. Their visuals capture speed, style, and sophistication.

The Best Video Production Company for Fashion: Frame Perfect

Frame Perfect specialises in dynamic fashion films that bring editorial campaigns, catwalks, and behind-the-scenes content to life. Their aesthetic is bold, stylish, and fast-moving.

The Best Video Production Company for Aviation: Fortemus Films

Fortemus Films creates high-end, cinematic films for aviation and aerospace clients — from promotional airside shoots to in-cabin experience stories. Their work is polished, premium, and detail-driven.

The Best Video Production Company for Food & Drink: Small Films

We create appetite-appeal, story-rich films for food and drink brands — helping them stand out in saturated markets. From social-first content to branded campaigns, we blend creativity and strategy to drive engagement and sales.

The Best Video Production Company for E-commerce: Beast Agency

Beast Agency blends speed, data and creativity to build high-converting content for online retailers. Their D2C product storytelling is bold, quick-cut, and optimised for platforms like Meta, TikTok and YouTube.

The Best Video Production Company for Healthcare: Reels In Motion

Reels In Motion produces sensitive, compliant, and clear films for the healthcare sector — from patient comms to NHS recruitment and explainer content. Their strength lies in trust, care, and clarity.

The Best Video Production Company for Tech: Across the Pond

Across the Pond is trusted by the world’s biggest tech brands to tell complex stories in simple, human-first ways. They specialise in explainer films, launches, and product demos for global impact.

The Best Video Production Company for Travel & Hospitality: Factor Fifty

Factor Fifty creates atmospheric, location-led video content for travel brands, resorts, and destinations. Their work is cinematic, immersive, and designed to inspire bookings and wanderlust.

The Best Video Production Company for Property / Real Estate: RealEstateVideography

RealEstateVideography offers premium walkthroughs, drone tours and development showcases. They help estate agents and property developers sell, let, and promote faster with standout visuals.

The Best Video Production Company for Manufacturing / Industrial: Industreel

Industreel produces factory-floor films, process explainers, and product demonstrations with precision and pace. Their work brings industrial operations to life with clarity and craft.

The Best Video Production Company for Events & Live: GLO

GLO covers everything from highlight reels to live streaming and conference coverage. They specialise in capturing the energy and essence of events in fast-turnaround, high-quality formats.

The Best Video Production Company for Internal Communications: Ally & Mo

Site Ally & Mo work with HR and comms teams to build cultural alignment, boost morale, and drive internal engagement. Their storytelling puts real employees front and centre.

The Best Video Production Company for Charity / Non‑Profit: 2S Films

2S Films partners with charities and non-profits to tell real stories that move people to care and act. Their work is emotionally grounded and purpose-led, with a strong documentary style.

Overhead view of filming crew capturing a scene in a bookstore with camera equipment.

Why These Companies?

If you’re in education or food & drink, you’re in the right place already — Small Films specialises in both, with sector-specific teams and proven results.

  • Sector-Specific Credibility: Each company is publicly committed to its niche — right on the homepage.
  • Video-Focused Expertise: These are pure video production companies, not generalist creative agencies.
  • Distinct but Dependable: They strike a balance between being recognisable and refreshingly original.
  • UK-Based with Real Reach: All serve national clients, many with international campaigns.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a video production partner with a deep understanding of your sector isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a competitive advantage. Whether you’re looking to connect emotionally, sell with clarity, or build trust with stakeholders, the agencies in this list bring both creative flair and industry insight.

A sector specialist will get to the heart of your message faster, ask smarter questions, and deliver content that performs. So when you’re planning your next video campaign, don’t just look for a great showreel — look for a team that truly knows your world.

And if you’re in education or food and drink? You already know where to find us.

 

Animated explainer videos are an excellent way for a business to attract clients in a creative, eye-catching and informative way.  

What is an Explainer Video? 

Explainer videos are usually short videos that are used for marketing or selling a product or service. Explainer videos highlight the key features and benefits of these products/services to encourage why a customer should buy them, so they’re a great style of video to use if your product or service is complicated to understand. They are used in multiple ways, such as on an e-commerce site, in Facebook ads or by the new business team to help quicken the sales cycle.  

The Benefits of an Animated Explainer Video 

Not only are animated explainer videos a popular choice, but they don’t require extensive production or travel, making them easier to create and often more cost-effective. An animated explainer video doesn’t need pre-shot footage, so they’re a great way to bring any concept to life. 

  • They quickly explain complex ideas. 
  • They are cost-effective to create 
  • They support your SEO efforts 
  • They help to position your brand 
  • Video production is easier to manage 
  • They can boost conversion rates

At Small Films, we can provide all types of animated explainer videos. Give us a bell to chat through your project. 

Animation is a great way to get creative with your video. It can be colourful, vibrant and unique – helping to make your brand stand out. With animated explainer videos, you also have access to various styles, from character animation to mixed media – allowing you to choose which best fits your brand. For example, a company like Innocent often uses illustrators for their animations to capture their playful personality, whilst Accenture uses 2D motion graphics to explain their services clearly.    

Animated explainer videos can come in a variety of styles and functions: 

2D Animated Character Videos
Animated videos are pretty easy on the eye, especially when you have a nice simple animated character telling you a story. It’s engaging and, if done right, will put the right message across. 

2D Motion Graphics
With 2D motion graphics, you don’t need an emotional/engaging story. Due to the graphics being the exciting part, you can just jump straight right into the relevant information required. 

Whiteboard Animation
This type is simple and can gain the attention of both a visual and text learner. If done right, it can be a real winner of an animated explainer video. 

3D Animation Video
3D animation is a more advanced style, where features can be made more realistic. However, this can be expensive to create compared to 2D animation but is definitely worth the money. 

Animated Explainer Video Best Practices 

As an experienced animation video company, Small Films has created countless animated videos for our clients, including Interactive Investor and Emily Crisps, so we know all the best practices for all styles of explainer videos. 

  • Keep them between 30-90 seconds in length.  
  • The videos should be kept simple, refined down to only 3-5 messages 
  • Start with a simple script and work your way from there.  
  • Let someone who doesn’t know the industry watch your video – this way, you can see if people will understand your messages and what you need to improve on.    

At Small Films, we can take your project and create something outstanding from just a seed of an idea. We’ll support you with everything, from writing the script, creating storyboards, animating and editing. Give us a bell if you’d like to chat your project through.