Stanley Kubrick, the visionary filmmaker behind classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and A Clockwork Orange, is rarely discussed in the context of advertising. But his approach to storytelling, innovation, and design offers valuable lessons for marketers and creatives seeking to craft more impactful campaigns.

At Drive Social Media, a full-service marketing agency, we believe that creative inspiration can come from outside traditional marketing frameworks. Kubrick’s obsessive attention to detail, visual innovation, and narrative focus provide a masterclass in how to elevate storytelling in advertising.

Storytelling Is Everything

One of the most powerful takeaways from Kubrick’s career is his unwavering dedication to narrative. Every technical decision—from camera movement to lighting—was in service of the story. This principle applies directly to advertising. Campaigns that lead with style over substance often fall flat. But when creative assets are built around a meaningful narrative, they resonate more deeply with audiences. It is all about finding an authentic truthful perspective

Kubrick respected the intelligence of his viewers. He believed in “showing” rather than “telling.” In advertising, this means trusting your audience to understand visual cues, emotional subtext, and non-verbal storytelling—resulting in content that is more engaging and memorable. Show how your product or service solves your customers’ problems in a creative and entertaining way. No one is entertained by videos explaining how something works step-by-step, that’s what instructional videos are for, not ads.

Visual Storytelling Techniques

Kubrick’s visual style is immediately recognizable, and many of his techniques are applicable to commercial media:

One-Point Perspective

A recurring signature in his work, one-point perspective draws the viewer’s eye to the center of the frame. It creates depth, symmetry, and intensity—elements that are powerful in both film and product photography. One-point perspective is a great composition tool for creating hypnotic, rhythmic edits. This compositional technique helps center the viewer’s eye to the same position for every new frame, making it much more effective in presenting new information.

Use of Natural Light

Kubrick often used available light to achieve a sense of realism. This approach, known as cinéma vérité, makes scenes feel authentic and grounded. In advertising, natural lighting can lend credibility and relatability to lifestyle imagery or testimonial content. Not too dissimilar from User-Generated Content (UGC), creating a suspended reality by chiseling away the artifice of the creative process allows the audience to buy-in and feel as though they can relate to the content being presented.

Strategic Color Usage

Color played a major role in his storytelling. Muted, earth-toned palettes created a sense of realism, while more saturated or unnatural hues signaled surreal or emotionally charged moments. For advertisers, color is more than aesthetic—it’s a narrative device that can subtly influence perception. There is often a desire to make every frame as pleasing as possible, however contrast can be a major advantage in a piece. Seeing something purposefully gaudy or kitsch placed against something beautiful and themed well, or even something hideous within a beautiful frame can raise the floor of the quality of a project.

Innovation Through Technical Mastery

Kubrick constantly pushed the boundaries of what was technically possible. He was deeply knowledgeable about camera optics, using NASA-developed lenses to shoot scenes in candlelight for Barry Lyndon, and shooting 2001: A Space Odyssey in 70mm to enhance visual effects.

He also helped popularize the Steadicam, transforming how camera movement conveyed emotion. These innovations remind us that technical choices should always be driven by narrative needs. Our video marketing strategies follow this same principle—technology in service of story. In advertising, adopting new technologies—whether in AR, motion graphics, or immersive video—should serve a strategic creative goal.

What’s new today will be old tomorrow. The best tools are ones used wisely with proven techniques.

Attention to Detail

Kubrick was famously meticulous. From production design to set decoration, he oversaw every visual element of his films. This level of attention extended to working with iconic designers like Saul Bass and Philip Castle, while still retaining full creative control.

He also layered his work with symbolism, often using imagery that operated on both literal and metaphorical levels. In advertising, subtle visual cues or recurring motifs can create brand depth, increase engagement, and reward repeated viewings.

Advertising thrives on great design. By implementing strong design choices into video projects, you are asking

The Unexpected Connection: Kubrick and Commercials

While Kubrick never directed commercials himself, he had great admiration for the format. He once remarked:

“Some of the most spectacular examples of film art, if you leave content out of it, are in the best TV commercials… In 30 seconds they’ve created an impression of something rather complex… the economy of statement and the kind of visual poetry—you get it with what they’re doing.”

His insight underscores a fundamental truth: short-form storytelling—when done well—can be just as powerful as a full-length feature. A 30-second spot has the potential to convey mood, narrative, and emotion in a highly concentrated form.

Kubrick talking about commercials.

Cultural Impact in Advertising

Kubrick’s work continues to influence modern advertising. Brands like IKEA, Bud Light, and Mountain Dew have paid homage to his iconic films. By referencing his visual language, these campaigns tap into a collective cultural memory—as shown in our creative case studies where visual storytelling drives performance. Incorporating Kubrick’s style isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about borrowing his disciplined, story-first approach and applying it to commercial creativity. Being intentional and finding a universal truth and perspective.

Conclusion

Stanley Kubrick’s work is a wellspring of inspiration for today’s advertisers. His films demonstrate how meticulous craftsmanship, bold innovation, and deep respect for story can create work that endures.

As advertising continues to evolve across platforms and formats, Kubrick reminds us of an essential truth: great storytelling transcends medium. Whether you’re producing a two-hour film or a 20-second Instagram reel, leading with intention, precision, and creativity will always stand out.

At Drive Social Media, we integrate these principles into every campaign we build. Want to see how cinematic thinking can elevate your brand’s story? Let’s start a conversation.