Home - Brown Barn Studios

Brown Barn Studios translates powerful and complex work into compelling stories that move people to act.

Our Recent Work

Noah Kahan Documentary

The vermont star retraces his rise-to-fame and looks towards the uncharted path ahead.

NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry

With $20 million of grant-funding on the line, a national chemistry center comes together to share how they collaborate differently.

Gulf of Maine Research Institute

In the face of changing ecosystems and shifting educational paradigms, a team of teachers and researchers explore how they can better prepare their students to become the confident scientists of tomorrow.

SEE OUR FILM PAGE

How does effective storytelling drive meaningful outcomes?

Engage Empathy

By putting ourselves in another’s shoes, we deemphasize our skeptical brain and open our minds to new ways of thinking.

Impact Behavior

To create change, you need more than a good idea, you need buy in. Stories define and communicate your identity – helping you build community around your mission.

Secure Funding

There are a lot of great ideas out there. To chose yours, funders and investors need to see your impact… and remember it. Stories are 22x more effective at leaving lasting impressions than data or presentations alone.

Stories Waiting to Be Told

Origin Story

How your organization came to be, who sparked the vision, and how that founding story still guides your work today.

Breakthrough Story

How a breakthrough by your team, partners, or programs opened new possibilities for the people you serve.

Rebound Story

How a constituent, community, or initiative overcame a setback and found strength again.

Mission Story

How your mission shows up in real lives and why it matters deeply to the people connected to your work.

Spotlight Story

How your organization helps bring overlooked or underrepresented voices forward so they can be truly seen.

Transformation Story

How someone’s pursuit of a goal becomes a journey of change, with your organization walking alongside them.

Ripple Effect Story

How one idea, action, or story sparked wider change across your community or field.

Policy in Practice

How advocacy or policy work translates into tangible outcomes that touch people’s everyday lives.

_____ Story

We know there are so many more stories out there, and we’d love to collaborate with you to build something unique.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS THINK ABOUT OUR WORK

As a small business owner, I have hired Brown Barn to help my clients translate complex concepts into films that make the ideas accessible and easy to understand. Brown Barn helps with the process every step of the way and they develop storylines, and film in a way the makes everyone feel at ease. They allow for a deep understanding of a topic through film in a way that a written product never could. When you are looking for real impact you need these guys on your team.

Laurie Lopez

President & Founder of Irvington Evaluation Group

Working with Brown Barn Studios was a truly wonderful experience. From the very beginning, they asked thoughtful questions, clearly explained the process, and worked diligently to help us define our vision and needs. The final film was both visually stunning and narratively compelling. The film exceeded all my expectations. It’s incredibly difficult to capture the humanity, joy, and passion that scientists bring to their laboratory work, but Henry and Asher managed to do just that.

Victoria Russell

Outreach Coordinator, NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry

It's been such a privilege and pleasure to work with Asher and Henry and the wonderful crews they put together. They expertly guided our project -- from first conception and helping us think about the story we wanted to tell, to careful and thoughtful treatment of the participants we wanted to feature, to precise and highly skilled technical treatment of the raw material to make the story and participants shine. We are so proud of the end result and will not hesitate to hire Brown Barn Studios again the moment the opportunity arises.

Leigh Peake

Chief Education Officer at Gulf of Maine Research Institute

We had the pleasure to work with the crew at Brown Barn to make a film about chemistry outreach for the National Science Foundation. Throughout the process their team worked were so kind, helpful, and fun! Even when major changes were needed they were quick and helpful. In the end the documentary they made us told an amazing story and looked even better! It even helped us get a major grant renewal! 11/10 would work with them again.

Zach Nguyen

Interview Subject and PHD Candidate at the University Utah

Relationships and mentorship were central themes in my directorial debut, The Butterfly Project. In that sense, the film mirrored my journey with Brown Barn Studios. I couldn’t be more grateful for everything Asher, Henry, and Brian taught me throughout this process. Without them I wouldn’t have had the resources and guidance to bring my vision to life. This collaboration has really given me the confidence and passion to tell more stories.

Logan Dana

Director of WAYs Butterfly Project

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a typical timeline look like?

The typical project timeline is 2–6 weeks, depending on the scope and complexity.

What happens on a free strategy call?

We discuss your project goals, timeline, and scope to determine how we can best assist you.

Do you use AI?

We use AI tools selectively to enhance workflows but all creative and strategic decisions are human-led.

Do you work outside of the impact space?

Yes, we work with a variety of industries while keeping our core values and quality standards intact.

What if my organization is really small?

We customize solutions for organizations of all sizes, ensuring the right fit for your budget and needs.