Thought Piece #4

Reading this part of HTSVTDS has really changed how I think about videos, especially when it comes to projects that are supports to feel read and engaging instead of overly produced. Storytelling really comes down to your intentions and restraints. A lot of the advice in the book wasn’t about doing more, it was actually about doing less and being more thoughtful about what you choose to shoot and display. That mindset is something I really want to carry into my own work, especially as I start creating videos outside of class assignments.

One thing that stuck with me was emphasis on focusing on the people rather than just what is happening around me. Whether it’s filming kids, ceremonies or even vacation-style videos, the idea is the same. The emotion in the video matters more than the perfection of the video. Instead of staging moments or waiting for something big to happen, the chapters pushed me to pay attention to small actions, facial expressions and candid reactions. These things are the moments that actually make people care. Moving forward, I want to get closer with my shots and be more comfortable letting moments unfold naturally instead of trying to control everything and have a plan.

There are so many types of videos that can tell a strong story if they are done with purpose. Music videos, ho-to videos, testimonials and even webcam videos/podcasts, all rely on clarity and authenticity. Being genuine and confident in front of the camera can matter more than fancy visuals and that is somethings that I will now keep in mind as I build my website/portfolio and think about how I present myself creatively.

The chapters about interviews and testimonials made me rethink my approach to making videos. Instead of only focusing on important and usable audio pieces, I will now actually listen to the full audio and pinpoint what I want out of it to create a story that flows. Asking open ended question and giving the subject space and time to answer can lead to more honest and interesting moments and a chance for the interviewee to fill in an “awkward pause”. This is also important when promoting a product, service or person because authenticity is what makes viewers trust what they’re seeing.

The last portion about editing was also another major takeaway for me. The idea of being ruthless in the edit and following the “Rule of Less” honestly feels a little challenging thinking about it but is necessary. I tend to hang onto footage because I worked hard to get it, but these chapters reinforced that if a clip doesn’t serve the story, it needs to go. Editing isn’t about showing everything, it is about showing only what matters. Using tools like “save as” and “undo” also makes the process feel less stressful and more experimental, which is something I need to remind myself of.

The last thing I want to highlight that stood out to me is the idea of thinking about the ending from the very beginning. Whether it is a scripted video, a planned stunt or something that is supposed to go viral, having a clear ending in the beginning helps the story feel complete. I want to start planning my videos with the full arc in mind instead of figuring it out at last minute that way I have time to be able to make changes or shoot something I may be missing.

Overall, this portion of the reading made video feel less intimidating and more intentional, especially because now I feel more prepared. Storytelling comes from simplicity, planning and focusing on real moments, which are all things I will apply to videos I create.