In
some ways, structuring a video is a lot like organizing a book. It requires the
same set of skills. But filming is completely different. There are so many
things to think about—weather, lighting, sound.
When
I write, I control every word on the page. But with filming (especially outdoors),
so much is out of my control. Sometimes that’s incredibly frustrating, but it
can also lead to unexpected miracles.
As
I tried to capture footage of wild roses on a windy day, I focused hard on how
the plants swayed and how the quality of light cast upon them changed as they
moved. And suddenly, I had an a-ha moment.
Changing
light. Flickering light. That was it—the perfect way to enrich the beginning and
transition to the second section of a manuscript that had me stumped. In fact, I’d
abandoned it months ago, thinking it was a lost cause.
But
in that moment, my hope was rekindled. I knew exactly what the manuscript
needed. I didn’t even finish filming. I packed up, hurried home, pulled out
that old manuscript, and began revising.
Sometimes
the best writing happens when you aren’t even trying.