In our early Microsoft partner films, we took a more traditional approach to the work. Much of the pre-production was handled remotely, with limited direct conversation ahead of filming. We relied on scripted voiceover narratives and autocue-led delivery, capturing b-roll on location and supplementing with stock imagery where needed.


This approach provided clarity, consistency, and alignment across complex stakeholder environments. It helped establish a shared baseline and ensured stories could be delivered within tight constraints. Through this work, we also identified an opportunity to complement that structure with more natural, experiential storytelling.

As the series evolved, we saw an opportunity to bring greater confidence, warmth, and credibility into the stories by allowing people to speak more fully in their own words. Authentic voice is central to expressing Microsoft’s promise of human, connected, and trustworthy technology, and this became an important area to explore.

It has become clear that traditional corporate production models are not always flexible enough for the diverse realities of partner storytelling at scale. This insight has led us toward a more considered storytelling system, one that balances structure with authentic human voice. That is what we are proposing to explore and build with you.