Hold the Sizzle, Add the Steak

Not long ago I viewed a tutorial video intended to show newbies how to use a certain piece of technical equipment. As I watched the video what struck me more than anything was the degree of visual complexity and effects that seemed to overwhelm the content message. Titles just didn’t fade on, they animated in with twists and swirls. The on camera talent’s sections was punctuated by (the now obligatory it seems) jump cuts, reverse angles, shaky cam, extreme close-ups, and black and white sections that seems to exist for no reason other than to startle the viewer. Other parts of the program were embellished with glitzy effects, energetic motion graphics, and a lot of cutting that didn’t, quite frankly, didn’t seem to make a lot of sense to me. The production values and editing finesse were certainly there, but something more important was lost in the process.

Maybe I’m just old school, but I still believe that it’s the message that matters and that a tutorial or informational video needs to teach and communicate above all else, and not necessarily dazzle the eyes and ears. This isn’t to say that high production values, regardless of budget, aren’t important, they are, and if an aurally and visually exciting show can still do the job, well fine and dandy. But more often than not it seems that the sizzle has become more important than the steak.

I’m reminded of some the tenets of editing that were impressed upon me in school and later on the job.

1) Edits should generally feel invisible to the audience and guide along the story or message, unless there’s a compelling reason to make an edit stand out and be noticed.

2) Simpler is generally better than complex, the viewer can only take in so much at any one moment.

3) 98% of transitions should be cuts and dissolve. Use wipes and other fancy transitions with the greatest reverence and respect.

4) Think of special effects in the same way as exotic spices are to cooking. A little bit added at the right moment can greatly enhance the dish, but too much all the time can ruin the flavor.

5) Good edits don’t need justification. Bad edits scream for it.

Well that’s it for now. As always I appreciate your feedback.

RB