“Compelling, the definition is different now than it used to be and will be different tomorrow than it is today,” Judson Burch, from ESPN, said to a room full of eager ears.
Burch started off his session talking about him journeying across the country from Bristol, Conn. to the Silicon Valley area of California to see the Silicon Valley Orchestra perform “Rhapsody and Blues.” He told the story to emphasize that compelling means something different to each person. To him, “Rhapsody and Blues” is one of the most compelling pieces of music. Another anecdote he used to exemplify his point was the “Wizard of Oz;” specifically when the film goes from black and white in Kansas to color in Oz. These two examples would drive the discussion on Sunday morning about compelling video in a broadcast. Burch was quick to mention that compelling is “narrowly defined” and at “greater scrutiny by the viewers because of the access to content.” It is very important that your video addresses the fact that attention span is waning. Furthermore, your video has to resonate with a view and hold his or her attention, he said. Through discussion, Burch’s formula for compelling video was discovered. He believes that compelling video has three characteristics – emotion, energy and humor. “You are including yourself in people’s home, you are a guest in people’s home,” Burch said. “Your content needs to warrant that invitation, be worthy of that invitation.” Burch was able to keep his audience engaged by discussing different clips of video, some compelling, some not and moderating a discussion on the clips. The first was comparing a regular post game interview with Steph Curry, of the Golden State Warriors, to the post game interview he did with his daughter, Riley. Riley was quick to steal the show, making for more compelling video. However, credit was also due to the photog who decided to follow Riley while her dad was speaking. This proved the photog had a knack for realizing in the moment when compelling video is happening. “Flexibility to make an adjustment, be prepared to turn to something better and have open mind to embrace that,” Burch said. “Be willing to abandon traditional thought and find compelling video. People still need to make judgments.” People are making those decisions that make the video compelling. A machine and technology can add effects, music and lower thirds, but a person still has the power to tell the story. “Nothing is inherently compelling. Nothing is compelling at creation,” Burch said. “You as a story teller can decide. Make the best judgment you can because you are entering their [your viewers] homes.” But what about the middle of the baseball season when it might drag on? Every game is not the Super Bowl or Game Seven of the Stanley Cup? "Find greatness in garden variety games. If you tell a great story, it will transcend the garden-variety game, "Burch said. The take away, compelling video is going to mean something different to each viewer. However, it is your job as a producer, editor or photog to create something that is worthy of the viewer spending time watching. -Megan Flood, Broadcast Journalism, Penn State Class of 2015
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AuthorContributors span the membership of AWSM at Penn State. Archives
June 2018
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