Video treatment types
At Lucid, we often guide our clients through the strategic decision of selecting the right type of video treatment based on their learning objectives. Whether it’s capturing authentic human stories through interviews, creating professional presentation videos, producing immersive scenario-based learning experiences, or designing bold animated explainers, the key lies in matching the video treatment to the learning goal.
This article aims to explore four of the most common and effective video treatments we use today:
- Interview videos
- Presentation (“face-to-camera”) videos
- Scenario-based videos
- Animated explainer videos
Each has unique strengths, production considerations, and best-use scenarios. Let’s jump into a bit more detail!
Interview videos
Interview videos (some call them “talking heads”) remain one of the most trusted and authentic formats for elearning. In this style, one or more people, such as subject matter experts (SMEs), leaders, or real employees, share their experiences or insights directly to the camera, or as part of a conversation with an interviewer.
At their core, interview videos bring the human element into the learning experience. They allow learners to hear real voices, perspectives, and stories that make information feel credible and relatable. When a safety officer, for example, shares a powerful anecdote about a near-miss incident, or a manager reflects on a leadership challenge, the authenticity resonates more deeply than reading text alone.
At Lucid, we’ve used interview videos to:
- Share authentic experiences in compliance or safety training
- Build trust and credibility in change management modules
- Feature subject matter experts explaining new policies, procedures, or technologies
- Support culture-based learning, such as diversity and inclusion or onboarding initiatives
Here’s our thoughts on the pros and cons of interview videos:
Pros
Authenticity: Real people build emotional connection and trust.
Credibility: Learners value insights from recognised experts or peers.
Flexibility: Can be integrated into elearning alongside graphics, callouts, or quiz questions.
Simplicity: Relatively easy to film with minimal scripting.
Cons
Limited dynamism: If poorly framed or too long, talking-head segments can feel static.
Editing challenges: Conversational responses can wander off-topic, requiring careful post-production.
Dependence on participant quality: Nervous or unprepared speakers may dilute impact.
At Lucid, we always recommend keeping interview videos concise to maximise their effectiveness. No more than one to two minutes per segment works best for attention retention. Our production team always aims to record from multiple camera angles to add visual variety, and we always look to integrate supporting visuals (such as photos, on-screen text, or infographics) to strengthen key points. Our planning team always brief interviewers on using a conversational tone, and our interviewers plan clear interview prompts that help speakers appear natural and relatable.
Presentation (Face-to-Camera) videos
Presentation videos feature a presenter (or sometimes multiple presenters) speaking directly to camera. This treatment sits between formal interviews and broadcast-style content. Its more structured than an interview but more personable than a voiceover.
This format is particularly effective in elearning when the goal is to explain concepts clearly and concisely, while maintaining a personal connection. Learners feel as though the presenter is speaking directly to them, fostering engagement and trust. When combined with graphics, slides, or visual overlays, these videos mimic the experience of a high-quality online course or webinar. These are often what you will see on platforms such as LinkedIn Learning or Udemy.
At Lucid, we’ve used presentation videos for:
- Instructional overviews of complex processes or systems
- Compliance training where authoritative instruction is required
- Onboarding modules, introducing company values or brand messages
- Software training, combined with on-screen demos or animations
Here’s our thoughts on the pros and cons of interview videos:
Pros
Professional tone: Ideal for conveying authority and clarity.
Personal feel: Eye contact with the viewer builds engagement.
Adaptable: Works well with text overlays, slides, and call-to-action graphics.
Cost-efficient: Requires fewer creative assets than animation or dramatisation.
Cons
- Relies on presenter performance: A monotone or overly
scripted delivery can disengage learners. - Static visuals: Without supporting graphics, the
visual interest can wane. - Limited storytelling: Focuses on explanation rather
than emotional immersion.
Presentation videos can be your elearning course hero when supported by strong visual aids. By incorporating dynamic text, diagrams, or screen recordings, key points can be reinforced clearly with your learners. At Lucid, we encourage presenters to deliver speak naturally and conversationally. This humanises the content and keeps learners engaged. Like interview videos, our production team always seeks to vary framing (such as head-and-shoulders vs. mid-shot) to break monotony. We also use teleprompters for longer scripts to maintain focus and pacing.
Scenario-Based videos
Scenario-based videos take learning to another level by placing learners in realistic, story-driven situations. Instead of telling learner what to do, this treatment shows them why and how certain behaviours matter, allowing them to see decisions and consequences unfold in a context that mirrors their work environment.
These videos can range from simple role-play sequences to expertly acted, cinematic productions. Often, they are paired with interactive elements in an elearning module (such as decision points or branching scenarios) for a more immersive experience.
Scenario-based videos can engage both emotion and cognition. When learners watch a relatable situation such as a customer service interaction gone wrong or an ethical dilemma between colleagues, they mentally participate in problem-solving. Over the years, we’ve used scenario-based videos to guide both attitude and behaviour change on a variety of topics including:
- Soft skills training (leadership, communication, customer service)
- Ethical decision-making and compliance training
- Workplace safety or emergency response drills
- Management coaching or team dynamics programs
Here’s our thoughts on the pros and cons of scenario-based videos:
Pros
High engagement: Storytelling keeps learners emotionally and mentally involved.
Versatile: Can be serious or light-hearted depending on learning goals.
Memorable: Stories are more easily recalled than abstract information.
Builds critical thinking: Learners analyse choices and reflect on consequences.
Cons
Higher production cost: Requires scriptwriting, actors, and locations.
Longer lead time: Pre-production and editing can be more complex.
Overacting risk: Poor performances can undermine credibility.
For scenario-based videos to succeed, authenticity is key. We always work with our clients to develop scripts that mirror real workplace language and genuine dilemmas, seeking to avoid overdramatised versions. We always aim to keep each scene tight (usually under three minutes in duration) and design them to prompt reflection afterwards using follow-up activities such as discussion questions or branching scenarios. When learners emotionally relate to the characters, retention naturally increases.
Animated explainer videos
Animated explainers are visual storytelling tools designed to simplify complex concepts using graphics, motion, and metaphor. From character animations to motion infographics, this treatment offers creative flexibility unmatched by live-action alternatives.
Animation allows abstract or invisible processes (such as cybersecurity, data privacy, or strategy alignment) to be visualised clearly and engagingly. It quicker to get started as there is no need to plan for filming days, set coordination, or production teams. The combination of colour, movement, and narration captures attention while simplifying learning through visual logic… always on brand with our clients too!
At Lucid, we’ve used animated explainer videos for:
- Process explanations (how systems, workflows, or compliance steps function)
- Conceptual or abstract subjects (e.g., policy frameworks, IT security)
- Product or service introductions
- Awareness campaigns, especially cross-cultural or remote learning contexts
Here’s our thoughts on the pros and cons of interview videos:
Pros
Creative freedom: Anything imaginable can be visualised.
Consistency: Characters and graphics can represent diverse teams or scenarios neutrally.
Brand alignment: Colours, fonts, and tone can reflect corporate identity.
Easy localisation: Voiceovers and text can be swapped for different regions.
Cons
Up-front design time: Scripts and storyboards require careful planning.
Less emotional realism: Animated characters may feel less personally relatable than live actors.
Initial cost for quality animation: Requires skilled motion designers or illustrators (although AI is now making this less of an issue).
When developing animated explainer videos, we always start with a solid script that focuses on clarity and pacing. We use animation to support rather than overwhelm the message. Transitions and icons should improve comprehension, rather than act as decoration. Combining animation with a professional voiceover enhances accessibility and tone consistency. For global audiences, we always include subtitles/closed captions and use simple icons to bridge language barriers.
Choosing the right treatment for your elearning goals
Selecting the ideal video treatment depends on your objectives, audience, and message complexity. Each of the four styles has its own strengths. In many elearning projects, a blended approach is most effective. You might open a module with a short interview clip, transition to an animated segment to explain a process, and follow with a branching scenario where learners apply their understanding. Combining multiple treatments creates a rhythm that sustains engagement while aligning with how adults learn best, through a mix of information, emotion, and experience.
From a production standpoint, the most successful elearning videos balance creative storytelling with instructional integrity. Before cameras roll or animation begins, our team works closely with instructional designers to define:
- Learning outcomes: What should viewers know, feel, or do after watching?
- Audience context: Who are they, and what motivates or challenges them?
- Tone and brand alignment: How formal, conversational, or emotional should the treatment feel?
- Measurement strategies: How will success be evaluated—knowledge retention, behavioural change, or completion rates?
When these foundations are clear, the video treatment becomes more than just a creative decision, it becomes a learning strategy.
What’s next in video?
Artificial Intelligence is dramatically transforming video production by automating many traditionally time-consuming and complex tasks. Advanced AI tools now handle editing functions such as scene detection, cutting footage, adding transitions, and generating captions in multiple languages with remarkable speed and accuracy. This automation has the ability to slash post-production time by as much as a third, freeing up our team to focus more on storytelling and conceptual work.
Beyond editing, AI-powered scriptwriting tools help craft compelling narratives by analysing trending topics and audience preferences, ensuring videos are both relevant and engaging. The Lucid team has been exploring AI innovations that are making video production faster, more affordable, and accessible, even for smaller teams and businesses. Real-time AI avatars enable the creation of lifelike digital presenters, reducing the need for costly filming and reshoots, while AI voice dubbing and lip-sync features facilitate multilingual content tailored for global audiences. AI also supports pre-production through auto-storyboarding, helping visualise content based on scripts or prompts, and provides emotion and context detection to adjust visuals, music, and narration dynamically.
These advancements are collectively revolutionising video creation, enabling highly personalised, scalable, and professional videos that meet the evolving demands of marketing, training, and eLearning environments in 2025 and beyond.
Yet, even as technology evolves, the fundamentals remain unchanged: impactful elearning videos always start with a clear story, a relatable voice, and a treatment that matches the learning intent. Whether it’s the warmth of a human interview, the authority of a presenter, the immersion of a scenario, or the clarity of an animation, each video type serves a distinct purpose in educating and inspiring learners.
At Lucid, our goal isn’t just to make content look good, it’s to make it work for learning. Because in the end, effective video isn’t about style for its own sake. It’s about helping learners connect, engage, and apply what they’ve learned in meaningful ways. Feel free to contact us if you’d ike to discuss the right video for your project.
The content on this page was last updated on 24 March 2026.
References
YouTube Statistics 2025 [Users by Country + Demographics], Global Media Insight, June 4, 2025 Global Media Insight
How AI is Shaping the Future of Video Marketing: Trends to Watch, The Media Lab, December 31, 2024 The Media Lab
AI Video Editor Trends in 2025: The Future of Video Creation, Metricool
