We were approached by Architectural Digest to produce a video as part of an integrated marketing campaign for Control4, a provider of home automation systems. They wanted to tell an authentic story of how technology and smart design could help a family with special needs. AJ and Devin’s story fit the bill perfectly:
Diagnosed with autism at age 3, Devin is now an intensely creative 20 year old living at home, yearning for more independence. His mom AJ wants wants the same, but has a lingering fear of what may happen to him when left alone. While they’ve made big strides toward their shared goal, there’s still hurdles to overcome. Technology and smart design may hold the key to unlocking Devin’s future. Watch the video below, and read the article here.
After speaking with AJ on the phone, and hearing her challenges and hopes for Devin, we zeroed in on the idea of “date night” as the center of the story we’d be telling. We’re always looking for ways to connect to our audience through universal themes, and the challenge of making time for date night is all too familiar to most parents. Though they may not identify with the experience of having an autistic child, they do struggle between wanting independence for their children and worrying about their safety. Filming over the course of two days, we were able to capture real and authentic emotion through a pivotal moment that demonstrated the impact of Control4’s technology on AJ and Devin’s life.
Documentary storytelling is an ideal medium for branded content because it illuminates the ways that a product – in this case home automation – can truly benefit our lives. Watch and let us know if you’re convinced!
This brought tears to my eyes. Nicely done! You and Ben are the best1