Nelis Friedrichs is a Hamburg-based director working in film and advertising. After studying film in the heart of St. Pauli, he became a freelancer in advertising and has since worked for a range of renowned brands and production companies. His graduation film Isle of Amber premiered in the Short Film Corner at the 71st Cannes Film Festival. His commercial XY – Yourself received four nominations across several categories at the 2020 Berlin Commercial Festival. In 2023 his film The Fear of Tomorrow earned another nomination in Cannes for the Young Directors Award, as well as for the German Young Talent Commercial Award. Born and raised on the small island of Föhr in northern Germany, Nelis grew up surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the sea. His stories range from short, defining moments to profound personal journeys, with fascinating characters who deserve to be heard.
I've been working in the industry for a number of years and have gained a lot of experience in advertising and feature films. With WINDSTAERKEZEHN I can put that experience to the best possible use and tell emotional stories for exciting brands and clients.
First, I'd recommend booking a free initial call. That's the best way to decide together which goals you want to reach and which kind of film suits them best. If there isn't one yet, the next step is to set a budget range for the project before concept development begins.
Choosing the right kind of film is essential. Image films, for example, are a dime a dozen and rarely serve their purpose. Emotional branding films, on the other hand, leave a lasting impression and connect the company or brand with a positive feeling.
The value of a film or a content package is hard to measure in views or metrics. For us, what comes first is the feeling it conveys to the audience, because an emotional connection can't be calculated in numbers or facts, and it lasts forever.
Good communication is especially important to me. Filmmaking is a 100% collaborative process in which everyone involved has to work together as closely as possible. That's the only way a truly outstanding film can come about.
Dive into the world of emotional storytelling.
Developing a concept, for an emotional branding film for example, always starts with research. At first this step usually involves only us and the client. Along the way we filter the information for possible angles that can build a gripping dramatic journey. Often, people or characters emerge who can act as protagonists, guiding the story with their authentic accounts and giving it emotional weight. Once a first draft of the storyline is in place, the scenes are paired with striking images and the concept is prepared for the shoot.
WINDSTAERKEZEHN is a full-service content studio specializing in emotional branding films. Beyond classic productions such as content or image films, WINDSTAERKEZEHN offers a holistic approach that also includes photo production and social media content. This makes every production far more versatile and covers a large share of our clients' media needs.
Emotional storytelling describes a genre of film that gives the audience an insight into people's or characters' lives and work through authentic stories, and moves them emotionally. The focus is on our protagonists' stories and their relationship to a brand or company. This form of storytelling conveys emotions far more strongly than classic film formats.
Authenticity is our top priority when it comes to telling a person's story. Unlike classic corporate films, we rely on a strong connection with our audience. That connection is built on trust and on a promise that can only be kept through authentic portrayal.
The interviewees are our protagonists. Through their stories we immerse ourselves in the narrative. So it's especially important to look in advance for people whose character and background give them the potential to carry the film. There are many factors to consider when choosing them, which is why we always handle this process with particular care.
Emotionally gripping stories can only truly convince when they're paired with the right images. To create the best possible viewing experience, the scenes have to do justice to the narrative. They mustn't disrupt the flow; they should always support it. High-quality images, good sound design and professional color grading are just some of the tools that make for an outstanding result that convinces in an authentic, lasting way.
A content package usually includes a main film (an emotional branding film, for example), social media content in various formats, and photos. Content packages are a big advantage if a company is active on social platforms or runs a website. Producing this kind of package is far more cost-efficient, because the material needed is captured during or alongside the main film's production. Afterwards, the footage can be turned into a wide range of social media films in every format, and on-set photo production delivers plenty of images for the website and posts.
Alongside TV and online, social media has become the most important channel for commercials. Our approach to emotional storytelling can be understood as a holistic journey. On social media, real emotions are far more convincing than tired advertising slogans, as the steadily growing influencer market shows. With short, striking content pieces we continue the viewer experience on social media, creating the positive feeling of having set out on a journey and playfully learned more about the topic.
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Telling emotions through images.
Product film and high-end product photos in harmony.
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