A SIMPLE DISTRACTION

The ultimate test of good video is to watch it with NO SOUND.

If the video alone still draws you in...still makes your throat squeeze up a little with some emotion...then you can be sure it's good.

The power of video comes from its ability to totally immerse the viewer in its story. You are virtually transported to a new world and, not only can you see what's going on in a single moment, but you also follow along as a scene develops. Add sound and immersion is complete.

Both Border Stories and the videos by Travis Fox pass the no-sound test with flying colors.

Even without audio, one can feel the pain and the mercy in the stories about drug addicts on the U.S./Mexico border. Even without audio one can still hear a mother screaming for her child lost in the destruction of the Sichuan earthquake.



WHY THE VIDEO IS GOOD

1. It flows smoothly...no jarring transitions

2. The video appeals to the emotions. EX: Instead of just using footage of rubble, Travis Fox shows a mother wailing for her daughter.

3. Humans connect with humans and animals...not things

4. Keeps shots aesthetically pleasing; observe the rule of thirds and the eye's natural affinity for symmetry.

5. Spend enough time on emotional shots to draw out the emotion, but don't stay too long on shots that are merely for B-Roll.

6. The story should be generally understood from video alone.

7. The video is SIMPLE


A COMPARISON

Both the Border Stories videos and those by Travis Fox were similar in that they employed a simple, raw DOCUMENTARY STYLE that is naturally very appealing.

There was no fancy film work, no special effects, to interfere with the reality of the story being told. The simplicity succeeded in drawing emotion rather than boring the viewer.


A CONTRAST

The main difference came from the general presentation of the video on the website. Whereas Travis Fox's page featured numerous videos in a rather generic list, the Border Stories page immediately slammed you straight into the video.

Personally, this made the video even more appealing. Like a movie theater, the dark background provided no distraction from the video and I was able to immerse myself even farther into the story, whether it was a better quality or not.

On the flip side, the Travis Fox videos were accompanied by text and links and sidebars that drew my attention away from the stories. In his case, though, the stories were enthralling enough to counteract any distraction.


IN SUMMARY

It is evident when comparing the Travis Fox videos and the Border Stories videos that not only the video matters, but also the space surrounding the video. Humans like to escape and too much distraction, too many choices, hinders that ability. In regards to both the shots taken and the format in which the video is taken, SIMPLICITY IS KEY. Do not distract the viewer from the story you are trying to tell. If it is a good story, it will prove to be all the distraction needed.