Eric Seals, videographer at Detroit Free Press, sent along a link to a recent project he completed titled “Gone Missing in Detroit.” For two weeks he rode along with police, interviewed families of missing loved ones, and documented a recently solved case. According to Eric, this topic is a big issue in Detroit, with approximately 1,600 people going missing every year. I think Eric did an excellent job with this story by weaving an unsolved case with one that was recently resolved so the viewer can see the desperation of unanswered questions along with the pain of knowing the truth. I want you to watch this video and let me know what you think about his use of narration – was it needed to tie everything together or was it a distraction from the story?
I always have a hard time deciding when to use narration in a story. In the past, I normally revert to narration if I didn’t get substantial sound bytes from the interviewees to make a coherent script. So, does this mean that narration is the lazy way to make it work? Of course you can’t go back to your subject and ask him/her to say the perfect transition. But then again, do we need to use a voice-over to provide that transition?
In this case, I think some of the narration wasn’t crucial to the story, such as the voice-over at 30 seconds telling the viewer the date the man’s father went missing. Moreover, the nut graph at 45 seconds giving perspective might have been stronger coming from the police officer. On the other hand, the voice-over at 3 minutes helped bridge the story from the unsolved case to the solved one.
I’m obviously on the fence regarding voice-overs. I know many people feel the same way about text slides, where many think it is the lazy way of going about things while others think it is the perfect opportunity to provide unemotional context to the story. I think the same is true in regards to voice-overs … so what do you think?
On another note, I really love the angles used to shoot the car scenes as well as the desolate footage of the area, which provided excellent scene setters. Thanks for bringing this piece to my attention, Eric!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NVOMPQ2Q26XQXEPKHSIW4TIFFE Steve Saldivar
Eric always produces top notch work. And this is no exception. He knows how to tell a story. Sincerely- I have a bias against voice overs. They’re rarely ever done right (if at all.) To me it says, “This is what TV News people do. So I’ll also do this.” I think MediaStorm found a great way of getting around VO’s and text slides, for that matter. Here’s what you do:
Go ahead and get those beautiful shots of solemn streets, cold homes, whistling trees. whatever. Hold that shot for 12 seconds. Allow for negative space so that you may add the text. That’s it!
No more VO’s that take you out of the story. No more white text glued over a black background. Use the environment around you to help you provide a better visual to add text to.
http://www.tracynboyer.com Tracy Boyer
Thanks for your input, Steve. I wonder if there is a clear distinction between techniques for news stories and documentaries. The latter definitely shouldn’t have narration since the subject should tell the story him/herself. However, perhaps Eric has a point that narration in news stories helps move along the story so we don’t abuse our viewers’ time by letting a long-winded subject take forever to get to the point …
http://www.vimeo.com/channels/ericseals Eric Seals
Thanks Tracy for posting the piece
So many schools of thought on narration and I’m interested as well in comments about narration in pieces. Why do some people rely on it while others would rather use white text on black or go with none at all?
I do narration in some of my work from time to time when I feel it calls for it or depending on the subject matter. To me it can have benefits if written short, concise and delivered well vocally. It can serve as a good bridge to help move along the story and help shorten the piece overall.
It has nothing to do with the whole “look at me I’m trying to act like TV news!†far from it in fact.
When it’s done well with a good focus, powerful visuals, crisp audio and a well thought out storyline it keeps the viewer pulled into the piece. Funny but that same argument I just made can also be said for not using narration at all or having white text on black.
So maybe it’s about what you feel is right while making sure to get advice or brainstorm with others around you.
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