The Importance of Poetry in Video

Maya Angelou was recently interviewed on CBC radio and I was struck by her thoughts about poetry in our everyday life.

I've been thinking a lot about the importance of rhythm in web videos. People have short attention spans when viewing web video, they need to be grabbed by their gut. I think it is often rhythm that keeps them watching.

We know that the length of the video is important, but rhythm is too. Rhythm and message. And, isn't that poetry?

Even in pre-production, when we're just working on proposals and coming up with ideas for videos, Cam will bring up the music. At first I thought this was because he lives to play with Garage Band and is a lover of music, but really it's a key part of designing a video. It also forces our clients to start really imagining the pacing of their story or message.

When Cam edits, he'll lay down the beat of the music or temp music first before even selecting shots. Its a wonderful way of keeping your pacing clear and refining your cuts.

Think about the famous Will I Am "Yes We Can" video that helped Obama so much . It's all about the rhythm and repetition of the message that keeps you watching and keeps you inspired.

Web video folks are often discribed as "Visual Storytellers" but we also need to think of ourselves as "Visual Poets". Leave your audience with poetry in their heads and they'll take your message to heart.

Thanks, Maya. You are a treasure.