A Call for Audience-First Messaging in the Arts
How First-Person Content Drives Results
AUTHOR:
Sana Colter
If you’re wondering what first-person content actually looks like in the wild, you’re in the right place. In this post, I’ll break down three standout examples using the 3 V’s framework—Visuals, Voice, and Vibe—to show how first-person content can turn everyday moments into powerful storytelling tools for arts marketers. (You can trust me—I’m CI’s resident influencer and First-Person Content Specialist!)
Visuals: How does the imagery center the experience and draw viewers into the environment?
Voice: Is the tone natural, conversational, and reflective of the viewer’s own perspective?
Vibe: What emotion or atmosphere is being conveyed, and how does it resonate?
Example 1: The Ride NYC
What is being promoted: Holiday Ride experience in NYC
What was captured: Footage by staff guided by a shot list we provided, edited by Capacity Interactive
Visuals: This video places viewers in the rider’s seat, capturing the full journey from boarding the bus and scanning your ticket, to watching street-side performers and taking in the iconic Midtown lights. It effectively captures multiple vantage points that immerse the viewer in the experience.
Voice: Featuring a voiceover crafted by CI’s content team, the narration adds a sense of wonder and gives context to the visuals, supported by a festive, jingle-like backing track that enhances the holiday cheer.
Vibe: Energetic and full of joy, the video taps into seasonal nostalgia and excitement, mirroring the magic and theatrical delight of NYC during the holidays.
Example 2: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
What is being promoted: Date Night at The Met
Visuals: This video weaves together intimate moments and communal experiences, from solitary sketching to audience applause after enjoying fantastic live music, showing viewers that whether you come alone or with a date, the experience has something for everyone.
Voice: The video opens with a curious and casual voiceover, which is the perfect 3-second attention-grabbing opener, asking the viewer if they’ve heard about the experience. It then walks through highlights in a friendly tone that feels like you’re getting an insider tip from a friend who’s already been.
Vibe: Equal parts romantic and exploratory, the video celebrates beauty, surprise, and personal discovery. It leaves the viewer with the impression that Date Night at The Met is a can’t-miss cultural gem.
Example 3: Ballet in nyc
What is being promoted: the ballet as a date night destination
Who created it: An audience member
Visuals: This trendy POV-style video walks viewers through the full evening—from getting dressed up to sipping pre-show drinks, watching the curtain rise, and soaking in post-show bows. It captures the grandeur and intimacy of the entire experience.
Voice: There’s no spoken audio, but the on-screen text narrates the journey and sets expectations, demonstrating that first-person content can work with or without a voiceover.
Vibe: Sophisticated yet inviting, the content feels like a curated but approachable date night adventure, perfect for younger audiences or first-time ballet attendees.
*This audience member labeled their destination as “the new york city ballet,” but we can assume the performance featured is American Ballet Theatre and not New York City Ballet based on the venue! Both are spectacular NYC-based ballet companies, and CI clients.
Introducing CI’s Newest Service: First-Person Content Creation
To empower arts organizations and clients, we’ve introduced a new offering designed to help you create first-person content more easily and intentionally. Whether your team wants strategic guidance, editing support, or both, this new product provides a clear path forward. We’ll partner with you to build a customized shot list and provide easy-to-follow media guidelines to help your team capture high-quality vertical video in-house. Then, we’ll transform your footage into scroll-stopping short-form videos—ready for organic or paid campaigns.
Whether your team has first-person content creation expertise or not, we’re here to simplify the process and enhance your digital storytelling capabilities.
Let’s turn your next campaign into scroll-stopping content
The power of first-person content is undeniable. It’s authentic, highly engaging, and remarkably effective at resonating with diverse audiences. At Capacity Interactive, we believe strongly in the strategic advantage that first-person content offers arts organizations looking to deepen audience connections and boost campaign performance.
Ready to explore how first-person content can amplify your storytelling and marketing efforts?
