Tutorial
March 13, 2024 · Last updated on April 23, 2025
How to use HeyGen for documentary-style narrative videos
# Tutorial
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Documentary-style narratives captivate audiences by telling compelling stories about real events, personal journeys, and social issues. With AI-powered, lifelike avatars, you can streamline content creation, maintain authenticity, and scale storytelling effortlessly. These avatars help deliver mini-documentaries, educational narratives, and branded storytelling in a visually engaging and emotionally impactful way.
Why use AI avatars for documentary storytelling?
Deliver engaging narratives with avatars that convey emotion and authenticity.
Bring historical events, social issues, and brand stories to life through powerful visual storytelling.
Enhance engagement with cinematic visuals, reenactments, and expert commentary.
Increase accessibility by localizing content into multiple languages to reach global audiences.
Scale storytelling by repurposing content for social media, brand campaigns, and educational platforms.
Step 1: Plan your documentary-style narrative
Before creating your video, determine its purpose:
- Mini documentaries on trending topics or personal stories: Dive deep into real-world events, cultural shifts, or individual experiences.
- Educational content on historical events or social issues: Provide insights on history, social justice, or political movements.
- Storytelling for brand campaigns: Use narrative-driven marketing to build brand identity and emotional connections with audiences.
Leverage AI tools like HeyGen’s scriptwriting assistant to craft a structured and compelling script. Not sure where to start? Here’s a sample structure for a 60-second documentary-style video:
Opening (0-10 seconds) – hook & introduction
Script/Text On-Screen: “Every story has the power to inspire. Today, we uncover the untold truth about [Topic Name].”
Middle (10-40 seconds) – key narrative & insights
Visual: Archival footage, historical images, or reenacted scenes with AI avatars.
Script/Text On-Screen:
- “In [Year], a movement began that changed everything. Here’s how it started.”
- “Meet [Person Name], whose story of resilience continues to inspire change.”
- “What does this mean for us today? Let’s explore the impact.”
Closing (40-55 seconds) – CTA & final message
Visual: Call-to-action text like “Learn More” or “Join the Conversation.”
Script/Text On-Screen:
- “Understanding history helps shape the future. Keep the conversation going.”
- “Follow for more powerful stories that matter.”
End screen (last 5 seconds)
Visual: Documentary series logo, CTA button (e.g., “Watch More” or “Subscribe for Stories”), and website or social media handle.
Pro tip: Keep each video focused on a single event, person, or theme for greater impact.
Step 2: Choose your AI avatar
HeyGen offers a wide range of avatars for every occasion, along with options for creating custom avatars to bring your documentary-style narratives to life!
Choose a Public Avatar from HeyGen’s extensive library, featuring 700+ voices compatible with 170+ languages and dialects. Each Public Avatar also comes with multiple Looks, offering a variety of outfits, poses, or backgrounds to match your storytelling theme.
For a more personalized approach, documentary filmmakers and brands can use HeyGen’s Custom Avatar feature to create a digital twin from their own photos and videos. For the best output, check out our Best Practices for creating AI avatars and voices. You can even tailor your avatar’s look with our Generate Looks tool to match your documentary’s aesthetic.
Want something unique? Explore the option to generate an avatar from text, allowing you to create avatars suited for different time periods, cultural settings, or brand identities.
Step 3: Create different types of documentary-style videos
Mini-documentaries, educational content, and brand storytelling help audiences connect with meaningful narratives. These structured videos provide deep insights, emotional resonance, and expert analysis.
Mini documentaries
Goal: Explore real-life stories, social issues, or historical moments.
Best format: 90-300 seconds
Key elements:
- A compelling introduction that grabs attention.
- Archival footage, AI avatar narrators, or reenactments.
- CTA: Encourage further exploration or audience engagement.
Educational documentary content
Goal: Teach audiences about historical events, social movements, or industry trends.
Best format: 90-180 seconds
Key elements:
- A breakdown of the topic with clear, factual storytelling.
- Expert analysis, statistics, and historical context.
- CTA: Direct viewers to additional resources or related discussions.
Brand storytelling campaigns
Goal: Use narrative-driven marketing to establish emotional connections with consumers.
Best format: 60-180 seconds
Key elements:
- A relatable story that aligns with the brand’s mission and values.
- A focus on authenticity and emotional appeal.
- CTA: Invite viewers to engage with the brand through social media or community initiatives.
By creating different types of documentary-style videos, you can inform, inspire, and connect with your audience on a deeper level.
Step 4: Edit and refine
Polish your video to perfection with HeyGen’s intuitive editing tools! HeyGen uses a text-based editor to ensure your scenes, text, and transitions align perfectly with your script.
Review your flow and ensure the avatar’s gestures, voice, and timing align with your script. See our scripting best practices guide for advice on how to ensure accurate pronunciation and pauses. Use our Brand Voice feature to ensure accurate pronunciation across multiple videos and languages!
Step 5: Distribute your video effectively
Once your video is complete, distribute it across multiple platforms:
Upload to YouTube, Vimeo, or documentary streaming platforms to reach a wide audience.
Share on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn to engage communities and spark discussions.
Encourage audience participation by prompting viewers to share their perspectives and experiences in the comments.
Bonus tips
- Keep it authentic: Storytelling should feel personal and meaningful.
- Use a mix of visuals: Combine archival footage, animations, and avatar narrators.
- Encourage engagement: Ask viewers thought-provoking questions to spark discussions.
- Optimize for multiple platforms: Create shorter versions for social media to maximize reach.
By integrating lifelike avatars into your documentary storytelling strategy, you can engage audiences, scale content effortlessly, and bring impactful narratives to life. AI-powered avatars help simplify production, making storytelling more compelling, consistent, and visually engaging. Start creating AI-driven documentary-style videos today and inspire audiences with powerful narratives!
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