video essay greentext

What is a Video Essay? The Art of the Video Analysis Essay

I n the era of the internet and Youtube, the video essay has become an increasingly popular means of expressing ideas and concepts. However, there is a bit of an enigma behind the construction of the video essay largely due to the vagueness of the term.

What defines a video analysis essay? What is a video essay supposed to be about? In this article, we’ll take a look at the foundation of these videos and the various ways writers and editors use them creatively. Let’s dive in.

Watch: Our Best Film Video Essays of the Year

Subscribe for more filmmaking videos like this.

What is a video essay?

First, let’s define video essay.

There is narrative film, documentary film, short films, and then there is the video essay. What is its role within the realm of visual media? Let’s begin with the video essay definition. 

VIDEO ESSAY DEFINITION

A video essay is a video that analyzes a specific topic, theme, person or thesis. Because video essays are a rather new form, they can be difficult to define, but recognizable nonetheless. To put it simply, they are essays in video form that aim to persuade, educate, or critique. 

These essays have become increasingly popular within the era of Youtube and with many creatives writing video essays on topics such as politics, music, film, and pop culture. 

What is a video essay used for?

• To persuade an audience of a thesis
• To educate on a specific subject
• To analyze and/or critique 

What is a video essay based on?

Establish a thesis.

Video analysis essays lack distinguished boundaries since there are countless topics a video essayist can tackle. Most essays, however, begin with a thesis. 

How Christopher Nolan Elevates the Movie Montage  •  Video Analysis Essays

Good essays often have a point to make. This point, or thesis, should be at the heart of every video analysis essay and is what binds the video together. 

Related Posts

• Stanley Kubrick Directing Style Explained →
• A Filmmaker’s Guide to Nolan’s Directing Style →
• How to Write a Voice Over Montage in a Script →

interviews in video essay

Utilize interviews.

A key determinant for the structure of an essay is the source of the ideas. A common source for this are interviews from experts in the field. These interviews can be cut and rearranged to support a thesis. 

Roger Deakins on "Learning to Light"  •  Video Analysis Essays

Utilizing first hand interviews is a great way to utilize ethos into the rhetoric of a video. However, it can be limiting since you are given a limited amount to work with. Voice over scripts, however, can give you the room to say anything. 

How to create the best video essays on Youtube

Write voice over scripts.

Voice over (VO) scripts allow video essayists to write out exactly what they want to say. This is one of the most common ways to structure a video analysis essay since it gives more freedom to the writer. It is also a great technique to use when taking on large topics.

In this video, it would have been difficult to explain every type of camera lens by cutting sound bites from interviews of filmmakers. A voice over script, on the other hand, allowed us to communicate information directly when and where we wanted to.

Ultimate Guide to Camera Lenses  •  Video essay examples

Some of the most famous video essayists like Every Frame a Painting and Nerdwriter1 utilize voice over to capitalize on their strength in writing video analysis essays. However, if you’re more of an editor than a writer, the next type of essay will be more up your alley. 

Video analysis essay without a script

Edit a supercut.

Rather than leaning on interview sound bites or voice over, the supercut video depends more on editing. You might be thinking “What is a video essay without writing?” The beauty of the video essay is that the writing can be done throughout the editing. Supercuts create arguments or themes visually through specific sequences. 

Another one of the great video essay channels, Screen Junkies, put together a supercut of the last decade in cinema. The video could be called a portrait of the last decade in cinema.

2010 - 2019: A Decade In Film  •  Best videos on Youtube

This video is rather general as it visually establishes the theme of art during a general time period. Other essays can be much more specific. 

Critical essays

Video essays are a uniquely effective means of creating an argument. This is especially true in critical essays. This type of video critiques the facets of a specific topic. 

In this video, by one of the best video essay channels, Every Frame a Painting, the topic of the film score is analyzed and critiqued — specifically temp film score.

Every Frame a Painting Marvel Symphonic Universe  •  Essay examples

Of course, not all essays critique the work of artists. Persuasion of an opinion is only one way to use the video form. Another popular use is to educate. 

• The Different Types of Camera Lenses →
• Write and Create Professionally Formatted Screenplays →
• How to Create Unforgettable Film Moments with Music →

Video analysis essay

Visual analysis.

One of the biggest advantages that video analysis essays have over traditional, written essays is the use of visuals. The use of visuals has allowed video essayists to display the subject or work that they are analyzing. It has also allowed them to be more specific with what they are analyzing. Writing video essays entails structuring both words and visuals. 

Take this video on There Will Be Blood for example. In a traditional, written essay, the writer would have had to first explain what occurs in the film then make their analysis and repeat.

This can be extremely inefficient and redundant. By analyzing the scene through a video, the points and lessons are much more clear and efficient. 

There Will Be Blood  •   Subscribe on YouTube

Through these video analysis essays, the scene of a film becomes support for a claim rather than the topic of the essay. 

Dissect an artist

Essays that focus on analysis do not always focus on a work of art. Oftentimes, they focus on the artist themself. In this type of essay, a thesis is typically made about an artist’s style or approach. The work of that artist is then used to support this thesis.

Nerdwriter1, one of the best video essays on Youtube, creates this type to analyze filmmakers, actors, photographers or in this case, iconic painters. 

Caravaggio: Master Of Light  •  Best video essays on YouTube

In the world of film, the artist video analysis essay tends to cover auteur filmmakers. Auteur filmmakers tend to have distinct styles and repetitive techniques that many filmmakers learn from and use in their own work. 

Stanley Kubrick is perhaps the most notable example. In this video, we analyze Kubrick’s best films and the techniques he uses that make so many of us drawn to his films. 

Why We're Obsessed with Stanley Kubrick Movies  •  Video essay examples

Critical essays and analytical essays choose to focus on a piece of work or an artist. Essays that aim to educate, however, draw on various sources to teach technique and the purpose behind those techniques. 

What is a video essay written about?

Historical analysis.

Another popular type of essay is historical analysis. Video analysis essays are a great medium to analyze the history of a specific topic. They are an opportunity for essayists to share their research as well as their opinion on history. 

Our video on aspect ratio , for example, analyzes how aspect ratios began in cinema and how they continue to evolve. We also make and support the claim that the 2:1 aspect ratio is becoming increasingly popular among filmmakers. 

Why More Directors are Switching to 18:9  •  Video analysis essay

Analyzing the work of great artists inherently yields a lesson to be learned. Some essays teach more directly.

• Types of Camera Movements in Film Explained →
• What is Aspect Ratio? A Formula for Framing Success →
• Visualize your scenes with intuitive online shotlist software →

Writing video essays about technique

Teach technique.

Educational essays designed to teach are typically more direct. They tend to be more valuable for those looking to create art rather than solely analyze it.

In this video, we explain every type of camera movement and the storytelling value of each. Educational essays must be based on research, evidence, and facts rather than opinion.

Ultimate Guide to Camera Movement  •  Best video essays on YouTube

As you can see, there are many reasons why the video essay has become an increasingly popular means of communicating information. Its ability to use both sound and picture makes it efficient and effective. It also draws on the language of filmmaking to express ideas through editing. But it also gives writers the creative freedom they love. 

Writing video essays is a new art form that many channels have set high standards for. What is a video essay supposed to be about? That’s up to you. 

Organize Post Production Workflow

The quality of an essay largely depends on the quality of the edit. If editing is not your strong suit, check out our next article. We dive into tips and techniques that will help you organize your Post-Production workflow to edit like a pro. 

Up Next: Post Production →

Showcase your vision with elegant shot lists and storyboards..

Create robust and customizable shot lists. Upload images to make storyboards and slideshows.

Learn More ➜

• Pricing & Plans
• Product Updates
• Featured On
• StudioBinder Partners
• The Ultimate Guide to Call Sheets (with FREE Call Sheet Template)
• How to Break Down a Script (with FREE Script Breakdown Sheet)
• The Only Shot List Template You Need — with Free Download
• Managing Your Film Budget Cashflow & PO Log (Free Template)
• A Better Film Crew List Template Booking Sheet
• Best Storyboard Softwares (with free Storyboard Templates)
• Movie Magic Scheduling
• Gorilla Software
• Storyboard That

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.

• Making It: From Pre-Production to Screen
• What is Dramatic Irony? Definition and Examples
• What is Situational Irony? Definition and Examples
• What is Verbal Irony? Definition and Examples
• How to Create Script Sides for Film & TV [with Examples]
• 100 Facebook
• 0 Pinterest

How to Greentext: A Guide to Memes and Online Storytelling

In today’s digital age, where communication is predominantly fragmented into bite-sized snippets and rapidly evolving trends, memes have become an integral part of internet culture. Among the myriad forms of memes, one that has garnered significant attention is greentext – a unique style of online storytelling that originated on the imageboard website 4chan. While seemingly simplistic, greentext stories possess a certain charm and captivate readers with their concise yet impactful narratives. As navigating the world of memes and online storytelling can be both bewildering and fascinating, this guide aims to shed light on the art of greentext, unraveling its origins, structure, and offer tips on crafting engaging and memorable narratives that are bound to resonate within the meme-centric communities of the web.

Originating from the infamous 4chan platform – a notorious breeding ground for internet subcultures – greentext stories quickly gained popularity due to their distinctive green text that sets them apart from other types of posts. These stories typically follow a specific format, utilizing concise and often humorous storytelling techniques to convey a situation, derive comedic effect, or provoke deep contemplation. Despite their seemingly simple nature, greentext stories carry a sense of authenticity and relatability that resonates within the online community, thus solidifying their place as an influential form of online storytelling.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Basics of Greentext

Explanation of the simple text-based format, use of “>” symbol for quoting and dialogue.

In the greentext format, the “>” symbol is used to indicate quoted text or dialogue. This helps distinguish between different characters or contributors in a conversation, making it easier for readers to follow along. By using the “>” symbol, greentext stories can effectively convey the progression of events and interactions.

Stylistic elements (e.g., all caps, misspellings, punctuation)

Understanding these basic elements of greentext is crucial for anyone looking to participate in or create greentext stories. By adhering to the format and incorporating the stylistic elements, storytellers can effectively engage with the greentext community and create captivating narratives.

The Origins of Greentext

Tracing the origins of greentext on imageboards (e.g., 4chan).

Greentext stories gained traction on 4chan’s /b/ board, which originally focused on random discussions. Users would use the “>” symbol at the beginning of each line to quote or indicate dialogue, simplifying the text-based format. The simplicity of this format allowed for the quick production and consumption of content, enabling users to create and enjoy numerous greentext stories.

Influence from anonymous online communities

One of the reasons greentext gained popularity is its connection to the concept of “anonymous” online communities. On imageboards like 4chan, users are typically not required to create an account or provide any personal information. This anonymity fosters a sense of freedom and creative expression, as individuals can share stories and ideas without fear of judgment or consequences.

The influence of anonymous online communities goes beyond just anonymity. These communities often have their own unique set of customs and rules, which were adopted by greentext storytellers. The greentext format, with its distinctive stylistic elements such as all caps, misspellings, and unique punctuation, became a way to conform to the culture and communicate effectively within the community.

The Key Elements of a Memorable Greentext Story

Greentext stories have become a prominent form of online storytelling, captivating internet users with their unique format and humorous anecdotes. To craft a memorable greentext story, it is important to incorporate certain key elements that engage readers and leave a lasting impression.

Engaging and Relatable Storylines

One of the essential elements of a successful greentext story is an engaging and relatable storyline. Whether it’s a hilarious encounter or a bizarre turn of events, the story should captivate readers and keep them hooked until the end. From unexpected plot twists to surprising outcomes, the storyline should take readers on a rollercoaster of emotions, leaving them wanting more.

Memorable Characters and Plot Twists

Creative use of humor or irony.

By combining engaging storylines, memorable characters, and creative use of humor or irony, greentext storytellers can create compelling and memorable narratives that resonate with their audience. With the increasing popularity of greentext stories, mastering these key elements can help aspiring greentext writers stand out from the crowd.

Overall, greentext stories have become a unique form of online storytelling that continues to captivate audiences. By understanding the basics of greentext, exploring its origins, and learning the key elements of a memorable story, anyone can embark on the journey of creating their own greentext narratives. So go ahead, dust off your storytelling skills, and dive into the fascinating world of greentext storytelling in online communities.

Crafting Your Own Greentext Story

Finding inspiration from personal experiences or social trends.

Additionally, consider incorporating elements from current social trends or internet culture. Pay attention to what topics or memes are popular at the moment and brainstorm ways to weave them into your story. This can help your greentext story feel current and relevant, resonating with a wider audience.

Planning the story structure and narrative flow

Once you have your inspiration, it’s important to plan out the structure and flow of your greentext story. Unlike traditional storytelling formats, greentext stories are typically concise and focused. You need to ensure that your story fits within the limitations of the format while still delivering a compelling narrative.

Start by outlining the key events or plot points you want to include in your story. Consider the pacing and how the story will progress from beginning to end. Think about how you can build tension, create suspense, or incorporate humor throughout the narrative. This planning phase will help you stay organized and prevent your story from becoming disjointed or confusing.

Keeping the story concise and focused

One of the key elements of greentext storytelling is keeping the story concise and focused. Unlike traditional storytelling formats, greentext stories are typically shorter and rely on brevity to pack a punch. Avoid unnecessary details or long-winded descriptions that can bog down the story.

Instead, focus on the essentials of your story. Use descriptive language to set the scene and create vivid imagery, but avoid excessive padding or unnecessary dialogue. Remember, greentext stories are often read quickly, so you want to capture and maintain the reader’s attention from start to finish.

Tips for Writing Effective Greentext

Using descriptive language to set the scene.

One of the key elements of an effective greentext story is the ability to vividly describe the setting in order to immerse the reader. While the greentext format relies heavily on text-based storytelling, descriptive language can help paint a picture in the reader’s mind. Utilize adjectives and adverbs to provide details about the location, atmosphere, and characters in the story. This will engage the reader and make them feel more connected to the narrative.

Incorporating dialogue effectively

Balancing suspense and humor.

Remember to keep the storytelling concise and straightforward, as the greentext format thrives on brevity. Every word should contribute to moving the story forward or eliciting a reaction from the reader. Avoid unnecessary details or long-winded descriptions that can detract from the impact of the story.

VEtiquette and Rules of Greentexting

Respecting the Original Greentext Format

Understanding board-specific rules and etiquette.

Different online communities or imageboards may have specific rules and etiquette when it comes to greentexting. It is essential to familiarize yourself with these rules before posting your greentext story. Some boards may emphasize brevity, while others may allow for longer stories. Additionally, certain boards may have guidelines regarding content restrictions or explicit language. By understanding and following these rules, you can ensure that your greentext story is well-received within the community.

Avoiding Offensive or Discriminatory Content

Remember, greentexting is a collaborative effort, and by participating in online communities, you can learn and improve your greentexting skills while also enjoying the works of others. So, dive into the world of greentexting and explore the endless possibilities of this unique form of storytelling.

VISharing and Receiving Feedback on Greentext Stories

Choosing the right online platforms for sharing greentexts

Reddit’s /r/greentext, in particular, has a strong following and offers a voting system that allows users to upvote or downvote stories based on their quality. This can help your story gain visibility and attract more readers. Additionally, participating in discussions and engaging with the community can help you build a loyal following and receive feedback on your work.

Engaging with the community and building a following

In addition to engaging with the community, building a following requires consistency in posting your greentext stories. Regularly sharing new content will keep your readers interested and coming back for more. Consider establishing a schedule for posting, whether it’s once a week or daily, to maintain a steady flow of content.

Learning from constructive feedback and criticism

Receiving feedback and criticism is an essential part of improving your greentext storytelling skills. While it can be daunting to have your work evaluated, constructive feedback can provide valuable insights and help you refine your writing style.

Remember that not all feedback will be constructive or helpful. Some individuals may provide negative or unhelpful criticism. In these cases, it’s important to maintain a level-headed approach and focus on the feedback that can genuinely contribute to your growth as a greentext storyteller.

Memes and Inside Jokes Associated with Greentexts

Exploring popular memes and catchphrases derived from greentext stories.

One of the most well-known memes that originated from a greentext story is the phrase “Anon was not, in fact, a faggot.” This catchphrase, derived from a highly relatable and unexpected twist in a greentext story, quickly gained popularity within online communities. It is often used as a comedic response to situations where someone defies expectations or surprises others.

Identifying common references within the greentext community

Additionally, the phrase “Top Kek” has become a common term of amusement within the greentext community. It originated from an intentional misspelling of “Top LOL,” emphasizing the humorous and ironic tone often found in greentext stories. “Top Kek” is frequently used as a lighthearted response to something amusing or ironic.

The Evolution of Greentext in Meme Culture

Influence on other meme formats and online storytelling techniques.

One notable example is the “tumblr thread” format, which borrows elements from greentext storytelling. Similar to greentext, tumblr threads are shared in a text-based format, often accompanied by images or gifs. They follow a similar structure, with users inputting their responses to form a chain of interconnected stories. Tumblr threads have gained popularity across various social media platforms and have become a staple in online storytelling.

Another example is the “tweet threads,” which have gained traction on Twitter. Followers can easily scroll through a thread to follow the progression of a story or the sharing of experiences. These tweet threads often incorporate greentext-like elements, such as quoting previous tweets or using all caps for emphasis. The popularity of tweet threads demonstrates how greentext storytelling has influenced the creation of new meme formats within different online communities.

Adaptations of greentext in mainstream media and entertainment

One example is the incorporation of greentext storytelling in webcomics and graphic novels. Artists have adapted the text-based format into visually appealing and interactive stories. These adaptations often retain the greentext stylistic elements, such as all caps and misspellings, to maintain the authenticity of the original format. The popularity of these adaptations shows that greentext storytelling has successfully transitioned from a purely text-based format to a visual medium.

Greentext stories have also been adapted into short films and animations. Filmmakers and animators have embraced the unique storytelling style of greentexts and translated them into captivating visual narratives. These adaptations often capture the humor, irony, and suspense that make greentext stories memorable.

RecommendedConclusion

Recap of the essential elements for successful greentext storytelling.

In this guide, we have explored the fascinating world of greentext, a text-based storytelling format that has taken the internet by storm. Greentexts, characterized by their use of the “>” symbol for quoting and dialogue, have become a significant part of meme culture, with their origins traced back to anonymous online communities like 4chan.

Encouragement to Explore and Create Greentext Stories in Online Communities

However, it is crucial to adhere to the etiquette and rules of greentexting. Respecting the original greentext format, understanding board-specific rules and etiquette, and avoiding offensive or discriminatory content will contribute to a positive and inclusive greentext community.

Sharing your greentext stories on the right online platforms is essential for reaching a wider audience. Engaging with the community and building a following will help you receive feedback, learn from others, and improve your storytelling skills. Remember to embrace constructive feedback and criticism as opportunities for growth.

In conclusion, greentext offers an exciting and accessible platform for creativity and storytelling within online communities. By implementing the essential elements discussed in this guide, you can craft your own engaging greentext stories and become a part of the evolving greentext culture. So go forth, explore, and create greentext stories that leave a lasting impact on your readers and the meme culture at large.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

How to do a Video Essay: The Video Essay Process

• Plan, Prepare & Create

Storyboarding

• Finding, Filming & Editing
• References & Credits
• The Video Essay Process

This section will give an introductory overview of the stages required to create a video essay.  Video essayers advice is to start simple and work through each stage of the video production process. Visit the Resources page of this guide for more.

Identify what is your argument? What is it that you want to communicate to the viewer? Write this down in a few sentences, refer and modify it as required.

Watch Video Essays

Watch a selection of video essays, read blogs and web pages from video essayers and decide what type of video essay you would like to create. Start simple.

A storyboard is a detailed outline (similar to an outline in a written essay) that helps you to organise and visualise the video essay as to what is on the screen, text, media, message and transitions between shots.

Storyboards assist in determining the length, message and meaning of the video essay and help save time with editing and post production processes.

• Free Storyboard Templates

Collect & Edit

Collect video material as downloads, ripping DVDs, screen grabs, mobile phone footage and create voice-overs. Use research skills to find information and statements to support your argument. Maintain a standard of quality and manage your videos by naming conventions and storage.

Use editing software and experiment with available functionality to enhance and support your argument. Add a voice-over, sound effects, music and other aspects of multimodality. Be sure to include references and credits to all sources used in creating the video essay.

Revisit elements of your video essay and modify as required.

Visit the Resources page of this guide for more.

• Where to find video and how to capture it
• Video Editing Basics - iMovie
• Software Guides

References & Credits

References to cite sources used in the Video Essay. Referencing is a formal, systematic way of acknowledging sources that you have used in your video essay. It is imperative that you reference all sources used (including videos, stills, music, sfx) and apply the correct formatting so that references cited can be easily traced. The referencing style used at ECU is the APA style, 6th ed. 2010. Refer to the ECU Referencing Library Guide for accurate citation in APA style.

Production credits Individuals: acknowledgement of individuals and their role in the production. Purpose: A statement for internal use, e.g. “This video was produced for [course name] at [institution’s name] in [semester, year]”

• Referencing Library Guide
• << Previous: What is a Video Essay?
• Next: Modes, MultiModality & Multiliteracies >>
• What is a Video Essay?
• Modes, MultiModality & Multiliteracies
• A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies
• Modes Of Multimodality
• Video Essay Journals
• Video Essay Channels
• Weblinks to Video Essay Resources
• Weblinks to Creative Commons Resources
• Titles in the Library
• Referencing & Copyright
• Marking Rubric
• Last Updated: Aug 28, 2023 2:57 PM
• URL: https://ecu.au.libguides.com/video-essay

Edith Cowan University acknowledges and respects the Noongar people, who are the traditional custodians of the land upon which its campuses stand and its programs operate. In particular ECU pays its respects to the Elders, past and present, of the Noongar people, and embrace their culture, wisdom and knowledge.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

• Backchannel
• Newsletters
• WIRED Insider
• WIRED Consulting

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Tom Simonite

Did a Person Write This Headline, or a Machine?

The tech industry pays programmers handsomely to tap the right keys in the right order, but earlier this month entrepreneur Sharif Shameem tested an alternative way to write code.

First he wrote a short description of a simple app to add items to a to-do list and check them off once completed. Then he submitted it to an artificial intelligence system called GPT-3 that has digested large swaths of the web, including coding tutorials. Seconds later, the system spat out functioning code. “I got chills down my spine,” says Shameem. “I was like, ‘Woah something is different.’”

GPT-3, created by research lab OpenAI , is provoking chills across Silicon Valley. The company launched the service in beta last month and has gradually widened access. In the past week, the service went viral among entrepreneurs and investors, who excitedly took to Twitter to share and discuss results from prodding GPT-3 to generate memes , poems , tweets , and guitar tabs .

The software’s viral moment is an experiment in what happens when new artificial intelligence research is packaged and placed in the hands of people who are tech-savvy but not AI experts. OpenAI’s system has been tested and feted in ways it didn’t expect. The results show the technology’s potential usefulness but also its limitations—and how it can lead people astray.

Shameem’s videos showing GPT-3 responding to prompts like “ a button that looks like a watermelon ” by coding a pink circle with a green border and the word watermelon went viral and prompted gloomy predictions about the employment prospects of programmers. Delian Asparouhov, an investor with Founders Fund, an early backer of Facebook and SpaceX cofounded by Peter Thiel, blogged that GPT-3 “provides 10,000 PhDs that are willing to converse with you.” Asparouhov fed GPT-3 the start of a memo on a prospective health care investment. The system added discussion of regulatory hurdles and wrote, “I would be comfortable with that risk, because of the massive upside and massive costs [sic] savings to the system.”

Other experiments have explored more creative terrain. Denver entrepreneur Elliot Turner found that GPT-3 can rephrase rude comments into polite ones —or vice versa to insert insults. An independent researcher known as Gwern Branwen generated a trove of literary GPT-3 content , including pastiches of Harry Potter in the styles of Ernest Hemingway and Jane Austen. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a broken Harry is in want of a book—or so says GPT-3 before going on to reference the magical bookstore in Diagon Alley.

Have we just witnessed a quantum leap in artificial intelligence? When WIRED prompted GPT-3 with questions about why it has so entranced the tech community, this was one of its responses:

“I spoke with a very special person whose name is not relevant at this time, and what they told me was that my framework was perfect. If I remember correctly, they said it was like releasing a tiger into the world.”

The response encapsulated two of the system’s most notable features: GPT-3 can generate impressively fluid text, but it is often unmoored from reality.

GPT-3 was built by directing machine-learning algorithms to study the statistical patterns in almost a trillion words collected from the web and digitized books. The system memorized the forms of countless genres and situations, from C++ tutorials to sports writing. It uses its digest of that immense corpus to respond to a text prompt by generating new text with similar statistical patterns.

The results can be technically impressive, and also fun or thought-provoking, as the poems, code, and other experiments attest. When a WIRED reporter generated his own obituary using examples from a newspaper as prompts, GPT-3 reliably repeated the format and combined true details like past employers with fabrications like a deadly climbing accident and the names of surviving family members. It was surprisingly moving to read that one died at the (future) age of 47 and was considered “well-liked, hard-working, and highly respected in his field.”

But GPT-3 often spews contradictions or nonsense, because its statistical word-stringing is not guided by any intent or a coherent understanding of reality. “It doesn't have any internal model of the world, or any world, and so it can’t do reasoning that would require such a model,” says Melanie Mitchell, a professor at the Santa Fe Institute and author of Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans . In her experiments, GPT-3 struggles with questions that involve reasoning by analogy, but generates fun horoscopes .

That GPT-3 can be so bewitching may say more about language and human intelligence than AI. For one, people are more likely to tweet the system’s greatest hits than its bloopers, making it look smarter on Twitter than it is in reality. Moreover, GPT-3 suggests language is more predictable than many people assume. Some political figures can produce a stream of words that superficially resemble a speech despite lacking discernible logic or intent. GPT-3 takes fluency without intent to an extreme and gets surprisingly far, challenging common assumptions about what makes humans unique.

By Jeffrey Van Camp

By Julian Chokkattu

By Simon Hill

By Medea Giordano

Some of this week’s excitable reactions echo long-ago discoveries about the challenges when biological brains interact with superficially smart machines . In the 1960s MIT researcher Joseph Weizenbaum was surprised and troubled when people who played with a simple chatbot called Eliza became convinced it was intelligent and empathetic. Mitchell sees the Eliza effect, as it is known, still at work today. “We’re more sophisticated now, but we’re still susceptible,” she says.

As GPT-3 has taken off among the technorati, even its creators are urging caution. “The GPT-3 hype is way too much,” Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, tweeted Sunday . “It still has serious weaknesses and sometimes makes very silly mistakes.”

The previous day, Facebook’s head of AI accused the service of being “unsafe” and tweeted screenshots from a website that generates tweets using GPT-3 that suggested the system associates Jews with a love of money and women with a poor sense of direction. The incident echoed some of WIRED’s earlier experiments in which the model mimicked patterns from darker corners of the internet. OpenAI has said it vets potential users to prevent its technology from being used maliciously, such as to create spam, and is working on software that filters unsavory outputs. WIRED’s experiments generating obituaries sometimes triggered a message warning, “Our system has flagged the generated content as being unsafe because it might contain explicitly political, sensitive, identity aware or offensive text. We'll be adding an option to suppress such outputs soon. The system is experimental and will make mistakes.”

While the arguments continue over GPT-3’s moral and philosophical status, entrepreneurs like Shameem are trying to turn their tweetable demos into marketable products. Shameem founded a company called Debuild.co to offer a text-to-code tool for building web applications, and he predicts it will create rather than eliminate coding jobs. “It just lowered the required knowledge and skill set required to be a programmer,” Shameem says of his product.

Francis Jervis, founder of Augrented, which helps tenants research prospective landlords, has started experimenting with using GPT-3 to summarize legal notices or other sources in plain English to help tenants defend their rights. The results have been promising, although he plans to have an attorney review output before using it, and says entrepreneurs still have much to learn about how to constrain GPT-3’s broad capabilities into a reliable component of a business.

More certain, Jervis says, is that GPT-3 will keep generating fodder for fun tweets. He’s been prompting it to describe art house movies that don’t exist, such as a documentary in which “werner herzog [sic] must bribe his prison guards with wild german ferret meat and cigarettes.” “The sheer Freudian quality of some of the outputs is astounding,” Jervis says. “I keep dissolving into uncontrollable giggles.”

• Could Trump win the war on Huawei— and is TikTok next ?
• Global warming. Inequality. Covid-19. And Al Gore is ... optimistic ?
• 5G was going to unite the world— instead it’s tearing us apart
• How to passcode-lock any app on your phone
• The seven best turntables for your vinyl collection
• 👁 Prepare for AI to produce less wizardry . Plus: Get the latest AI news
• 🎙️ Listen to Get WIRED , our new podcast about how the future is realized. Catch the latest episodes and subscribe to the 📩 newsletter to keep up with all our shows
• 🏃🏽‍♀️ Want the best tools to get healthy? Check out our Gear team’s picks for the best fitness trackers , running gear (including shoes and socks ), and best headphones

Kate Knibbs

Reece Rogers

Will Knight

Steve Nadis

Luca Zorloni

Steven Levy

Amanda Hoover

Vittoria Elliott

• X (Twitter)

The Art of Greentext

Greentext is a form of communication traditionally used by members of the notorious website 4chan, an imageboard website that the Guardian once summarized as “lunatic, juvenile… brilliant, ridiculous, and alarming.” If you were to show someone who doesn’t spend any time at all on 4chan a glimpse into the world of greentext writing, or posts on the website, they would be overcome with feelings of disgust and anger at how offensive it can get. 

However, if utilized effectively, greentexts can be surprisingly effective at telling emotionally charged and ultimately human stories. Some of the best greentexts I’ve stumbled upon have resonated with me on an emotional level, and some have even reduced me to tears. 

To the uninitiated, greentext communication can be confusing because it is written in an unusual style. Most of the time, however, greentexts follow this format:

Now there’s a lot to unpack here, but first and foremost, greentexts are told in a series of short phrases where the anon , or anonymous user, uses verb phrases to describe a sequence of events. These events can be anything, ranging from the writer’s whole life story, to an isolated incident worth sharing, to even a description of one’s self in the form of thoughts. Most greentexts are autobiographical, but many writers also try to insert themselves as different people, animals, or whatever you can possibly think of for comedic effect. Most greentexts also typically start with the phrase, “Be me,”. Afterwards is usually a brief description of the kind of person or character the greentext is about before we dive into the story. Most greentexts end with or are written to include “mfw.” Short for “my face when,” this refers to the visual element of the greentext that is usually a meme or a picture placed on top of the greentext that is typically a visual indicator of how the author is feeling. However the medium is flexible enough that many writers have twisted the format in surprisingly humorous and ironic ways

Even with all these rules laid out, we have not even begun to scratch the surface into the vast world of greentext expression. There’s an entire vocabulary users have built over the years to describe certain things: anon (anonymous user), NEET (person who is typically unemployed and stays at home), chad (stereotypical jock type), and so much more. There are even little hidden details the anonymous 4chan users like to spread within greentexts, such as using red text instead of green to explain an element of the reader directly by breaking the fourth wall. Again, there are so many ways to manipulate this format for shock or irony purposes. Many greentexts like to end on a twist, often original, but also often referring to very niche internet in-jokes — a common one being to tell a story, only to have it end at the beginning narration of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. 

However, as a product of a mostly racist and sexist website, many writers are using greentexts specifically for the purpose of spewing hate speech. Furthermore, it is hard to tell if the users are posting for the sake of irony or if they are actually sincere about their beliefs. It’s a fine line one must walk as a reader if they want to enter the world of 4chan greentexts since many are purposefully written with the intent of shock value. The ones that are worth speaking about, however, are the ones that do not exist for the sake of indifference or shock value but the ones that communicate the real-life struggles of the site’s users with a sense of honesty and vulnerability.  

Ultimately, it is really easy to cry at, laugh at, or even relate to the struggles of [some] greentext users if and only if they written with sincerity and not malice. Unlike poetry or literature which are drowned in abstraction and imagery, sincere greentext writers are completely upfront with their readers, mainly because the format requires them to be as blunt and straightforward as possible. In this way, I honestly believe greentexts to be the most human of written expression. Greentexts speak directly to the reader, and are simple and relatable enough to connect to. There is a perfect blend of irony and genuine sincerity in regards to the writers’ struggles that you can’t help but relate to, especially when you are provided a personal and honest account of a user’s life that isn’t meant to be offensive or shocking. While a book can vary in its plot and characters, many greentext users choose to use very human and personal stories. 

Not all greentexts are gems you want to share with your friends or save on your phone. In order to find the diamond in the rough, you will need to sift through a mountain of racist, sexist, misogynistic, homophobic garbage. But when you find it, you’ll be glad you did. For example, a greentext that stuck with me for a long time is about a user whose parents split up when he was at a very young age. Although he didn’t see his father often, his father would occasionally show up with the best video games for his son. Our writer did not question how his father would always buy the best video games until his father passed away. As the writer cleaned out his father’s closet, he found a closet worth of video game magazines, filled with notes about which games to purchase. The author ends the greentext touched by his father’s effort into something he didn’t care about just so he could make his son happy. 

People think the internet is a cesspool of vapidness and self-indulgence and but the reason for their mindset is because they have only explored what is offered to them on a surface level. If you look a bit harder, you’ll find some of the most clever, creative and funny people in the world. This is not limited to just greentext writers. There are people who, if it weren’t for the internet, would not be able to express themselves and share their personal and human stories. The internet is a never-ending stream of content and as a result people have a tendency to absorb ideas and expression that reinforce their pre-existing beliefs rather than actively searching out content that challenges them as users. People also have the tendency to take the most significant aspect of a genre or medium and assign it as a poster child for something as a whole. So the next time you see something or someone on the internet you dislike, don’t judge it as if the failure of the internet as a whole. Judge it as if it a failed aspect of something that has a lot of potential to surprise you.

The Great Extraction: The rise of the data economy and what it means

Studio One’s Jennifer Lara

Related posts, a federal mandate said museums must return native american remains. for some families, the fight isn’t over., hennessy garcia marches toward a better future, therapy-speak can ruin your relationships: the drawback of mental health advocacy in the name of self-care.

Comments are closed.

The Video Essay As Art: 11 Ways to Make a Video Essay

Part one in a series of commissioned pieces on video essay form, originally published at Fandor Keyframe.

This feature piece, the first in an ongoing series, was originally published by Fandor Keyframe in May 2016. You can read the other pieces in this series here .

When you think of the video essay, you might imagine someone expressing their love of a movie over a selection of clips, a compilation of a famous director’s signature shots, or a voice that says: “Hi, my name is Tony.” But these are just a few of a remarkable variety of approaches to making videos exploring film and media, a diversity of forms that is continually evolving and expanding. Here’s an attempt to account for some of the more recognizable modes of video essay, with key examples for each.

Supercut . A collection of images or sounds arranged under a category (i.e. Jacob T. Swinney’s wonderful The Dutch Angle ) or used to break down a film to a set of elements (i.e. Zackery Ramos-Taylor’s recent Hearing Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Joel Bocko’s The Colors of Daisies ). The supercut is usually very short and lacks text so as to maximize its impact on a visual level. This brevity of form emphasizes a central concept more than a narrative argument. If a supercut has an argument to make, it is typically in the order in which items are sequenced.

Personal Review . This broad category of video essay hinges on a strongly personalized account of a film. Scout Tafoya’s recurring series The Unloved is a prominent example of this, wherein he makes the claim that each film he focuses on is underappreciated and then asserts their qualities through visual analysis. The best of these, in my opinion, is his video on Michael Mann’s Public Enemies :

Vlog . While similar to the personal review, the vlog differs strongly in mode of presentation. There is a greater focus on direct address of the viewers, and on delivering opinion rather than analysis. They’re often played up for comedic entertainment value and feature a lot of voiceover or footage of the editor themselves. Chez Lindsay’s video on Joel Schumacher’s The Phantom of the Opera is a sprawling, informative, funny journey through theater and cinema history that in many respects encompasses elements of the video essay but first and foremost is grounded in a personal perspective. Outside of film, the work Jon Bois does at SB Nation in his series Pretty Good would also fall under this category (his latest, on character types in 24 , is very much worth the watch). The popular YouTube series CinemaSins would also fall under this category, which relies moreso on personal nit-picking than film analysis.

Scene Breakdown . A visually-driven close reading of a scene (or many scenes in one film) that leans heavily on explaining film form and technique. Tony Zhou is especially skilled at this, and his scene breakdowns often come nestled in a video about many scenes, like his look at ensemble staging in Bong Joon-ho’s Memories of Murder or the approach to staging a fight scene in his video Jackie Chan—How to Do Action Comedy :

Shot Analysis . A cousin of the supercut and scene breakdown, though more analytical in nature than the former, the shot analysis dissects a shot or a repeated type of shot. Josh Forrest’s engaging video on the insert shot in David Fincher’s Zodiac is not shot analysis in and of itself; it’s more of a supercut. David Chen’s Edgar Wright and the Art of Close-Ups , on the other hand, is definitely a shot analysis, turning its compilation structure into a video essay by virtue of its director’s commentary track (which we might call the DVD-era ancestor of the video essay):

Structural Analysis . To paraphrase Kurt Vonnegut, these videos look at a film’s story shape, seeking to uncover hidden meaning or a subtextual emphasis by viewing the film as a collection of scenes rather than necessarily a plot or narrative. Kevin B. Lee’s Between the Lines: THE DAY HE ARRIVES is one of the best videos in this field, comparing repeated scenes in Hong Sang-soo’s film to reveal the film’s playful interpretation of time passing. One of my video essays for Fandor last year, Containing the Madness: George A. Romero’s THE CRAZIES , was an attempt to engage with this mode of video essay:

Side-by-side Analysis . Not a supercut, not yet a shot analysis. The side-by-side is a fascinating form of the video essay pushed by essayists like Cristina Álvarez Lopez, Catherine Grant ( All That Pastiche Allows ) and, in recent months, Davide Rapp, which finds meaning through visual comparison of two or more film clips in real-time. In What is Neorealism? , kogonada brilliantly employs the side-by-side comparison to reflect on the ideological and creative differences between Vittorio de Sica and David O. Selznick in the cutting of the same picture.

Side-by-sides with voiceover narration are relatively rare. Álvarez, Grant and Rapp tend to let viewers interpret the footage on their own. Rapp’s series of videos under the Seeing Double and Seeing Triple moniker place sequences from films and their various remakes side-by-side and implicitly address not only specific but generational aesthetic and narrative priorities. A particularly illuminating video in this collection is his look at Michael Haneke’s two versions of Funny Games :

Recut . The line between video essay and video art is blurred when we look at the imaginative re-purposing of texts. Filmscalpel’s 12 Silent Men is a good example of this, which was shared as a video essay despite being very similar in form to Vicki Bennett’s work of video art, 4:33: The Movie . Davide Rapp’s enchanting SECRET GATEWAYS (below), where he maps the space of a house in a Buster Keaton short and then moves his virtual camera between each of these rooms, is a more visually-focused re-purposing. I’d count my video essay, The Secret Video Essays of Jenni Olson , as also being a part of this form. It’s worth noting that an imaginative recut does not need to be visual, it can also be conceptual, as in Jeremy Ratzlaff’s Paul Thomas Anderson: A Chronological Timeline . This recut concept also extends to re-purposed marketing materials or film trailers, as seen in The Maze of Susan Lowell by Cristina Álvarez López and Adrian Martin, which suggests an alternate cut of The Big Combo with Susan as the protagonist. The very popular YouTube series Honest Trailers would also fall into the category of the recut, as they mimic and parody film trailer form, though their comedic narration-as-criticism does blur the line even more.

Subject Essay . These videos typically tell a story to explore a filmmaker’s (or actor’s, cinematographer’s, etc.) body of work, an era of filmmaking or a recurring motif in a lot of films, incorporating elements of scene, shot and thematic analysis. For the most part, the better videos in this field seek to educate or inform the viewer about a relatively unknown body of work or period of time. In this vein they teeter on the edge of conventional documentary cinema, like Kevin B. Lee’s Bruce Lee, Before and After the Dragon , and are reminiscent of some of the essay films of Mark Rappaport (whose body of work in and of itself defies easy genre labels). An unconventional example of this, and one of the best video essays of 2015, is Tony Zhou’s Vancouver Never Plays Itself . Another unconventional example, and one which straddles the modes of supercut and shot analysis, is Rishi Kaneria’s brilliant Why Props Matter .

Academic Supplement . When Kevin B. Lee made his refractive video essay What Makes a Video Essay Great? back in 2014, he used an excerpt from Thomas van den Berg’s Reliable Unreliability vs Unreliable Reliability or, Perceptual Subversions of the Continuity Editing System , a chiefly academic piece of video criticism that runs for over half an hour, features lecture-like narration and is grounded in academic and theoretical concepts of cinema. While this video does stand on its own as analysis, when I say supplement I mean that it is supplemental to the academic form. Some of the video works from David Bordwell, which he has termed video lectures, are examples of this form, in spite of what they have in common with shot analysis and filmic survey (in particular, his Constructive Editing in Robert Bresson’s Pickpocket ). Catherine Grant, another academic working in the realm of video essays, has managed to often subvert this expectation that academics making video essays will make supplementary works, turning in some wonderfully imaginative and non-academic videos like her brilliant UN/CONTAINED .

Desktop Video . A recent mode of video arguably born from the metatextual work of Harun Farocki ( Interface in particular), this seeks to present an argument about film within the confines of a computer screen. It’s worth noting that while the visual experience is tethered to a screen, like the recent horror flick Unfriended, it’s often not actually a real-time one-take desktop journey. The defining film in this field (arguably moving beyond the video essay label to become an experimental documentary in its own right) is Kevin B. Lee’s Transformers: The Premake :

As you can see from the various definitions above, the problem with all of these videos standing under the umbrella category of the video essay is that they’re all trying to do different things and aiming for different audiences. Because of this, when any two practitioners talk about what they like in video essays, they may be talking about very different things, not just in terms of content but in what they think the purposes of these videos are. Earlier this month Filmmaker Magazine posted a series of responses to the question What is a Video Essay? and answers ranged from a tool to stimulate better film viewing to a new form of essay filmmaking; and from a means of expressing cinephile obsession to a means of critiquing that same obsession.

On the other hand, what’s certain is that these videos, in their multitude of forms, have become very popular online over the last few years. There are many communities forming in the world of video essays, not just within publishing sites like the one you’re visiting now, but also in the “schools” of approaches taken by like-minded video makers. The mostly straightforward film-analysis approach is a favorite among very popular YouTubers. The academic-minded teaching aide is championed by the online journal [in]Transition. The personal love letter to cinema arises in supercuts and most single-film videos. The miniature essay film floats in and out of categorization, making it one of the most interesting forms of video essay.

Here at Keyframe I’ll be writing about various approaches to the video essay, looking at a wide variety of videos and video essayists and speaking to curators and editors to try to understand just how we got to where we are now. I’ll explore questions such as: why do some supercuts work better than others; when and when not to use voiceover and much more. Join us, won’t you?

Making Video Essays

What is a video essay.

A video essay is a piece of video content that, much like a written essay, advances an argument. Video essays take advantage of the structure and language of film to advance their arguments - Wikipedia

Using this Site

This site will take you through the basics of how to make your own video essay. Below you will find some introductory content that will prime you how to think about making your essay. The other pages on this site, reflected in the menu, will be divided into specific technical tasks involved with producing your video essay.

An Introduction to Video Essays

In this short 6 min video, youtuber Indietrix Film Review describes some strategies for coming up with ideas for your essay, explains some of the common themes that are explored, and lastly gives some insights on how they use their experience with writing written essays as a lens to create scripts for their video essays.

" Think of one of your favorite films, pick something distinctive that you like about it, or a particular scene or sequence, and try to work out what makes it so good. That's a great way to approach a rough structure for your video." -Indietrix Film Review

Example Video Essays: Professional

In the essay below, G-man Da Black Film Nerd breaks down beautifully what makes a scene in Black Panther a perfect shot. This is a great example of how using some additional overlays like arrows can help illustrate your argument.

I n the short video essay below, the author examines how the film is composed visually creates tension in storytelling. This is a great example of how you can reuse the same clips to emphasize an argument. The example made at 1:29, in particular, is very compelling.

In another example by Every Frame a Painting, the video essay below examines how choices made by the main character are represented by either facing or moving left or right on screen and parallel the characters moral development and progression

Example Video Essays: Student

Video Essay on White Narrative by Alexa de la Fuente, analyzes how films around social justice issues, specifically in Latin American countries, are framed around the white narrative.

The video essay below by Malery Nguyen explores how the construction of family dynamics in fiction films reflects the experience of many youth in Latin American countries.

• Learning Tips
• Exam Guides
• School Life

How to Write a Video Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide and Tips

• by Joseph Kenas
• January 5, 2024
• Writing Tips

The video essay has become an increasingly popular way of presenting ideas and concepts in the age of the internet and YouTube. In this guide, we present a step-by-step guide on how to write a video essay and tips on how to make it.

While it is easy to write a normal essay, the structure of the video essay is a bit of a mystery, owing to the newness of the term.

However, in this article, we are going to define what is a video essay, how to write a video essay, and also How to present a video essay well in class.

What is a Video Essay?

A video essay is a video that delves into a certain subject, concept, person, or thesis. Video essays are difficult to characterize because they are a relatively new form, yet they are recognized regardless. Simply, video essays are visual compilations that try to persuade, educate, or criticize.

These days, there are many creatives making video essays on topics like politics, music, movies, and pop culture.

With these, essays have become increasingly popular in the era of video media such as Youtube, Vimeo, and others.

Video essays, like photo and traditional essays, tell a story or make a point.

The distinction is that video essays provide information through visuals.

When creating a video essay, you can incorporate video, images, text, music, and/or narration to make it dynamic and successful.

When you consider it, many music videos are actually video essays. 

Since making videos for YouTube and other video sites has grown so popular, many professors are now assigning video essays instead of regular essays to their students. So the question is, how do you write a video essay script?

Steps on How to Write a Video Essay Script

Unscripted videos cost time, effort, and are unpleasant to watch. The first thing you should do before making a video writes a script, even if it’s only a few lines long. Don’t be intimidated by the prospect of writing a script. All you need is a starting point.

A video script is important for anyone who wants to film a video with more confidence and clarity. They all contain comparable forms of information, such as who is speaking, what is said, where, and other important details.

While there are no precise criteria that a video essay must follow, it appears that most renowned video essayists are adhering to some steps as the form gets more popular and acknowledged online. 

1. Write a Thesis

Because a video essayist can handle a wide range of themes, video analysis essays lack defined bounds. The majority of essays, on the other hand, begin with a thesis.

A thesis is a statement, claim, theme, or concept that the rest of the essay is built around. A thesis might be broad, including a variety of art forms. Other theses can be quite detailed.

A good essay will almost always have a point to express. Every video analysis essay should have a central idea, or thesis, that ties the film together.

2. Write a Summary

Starting with a brief allows you and your team to document the answers to the most pressing project concerns. It ensures that everyone participating in the video production is on the same page.

This will avoid problems of mixing ideas or getting stuck when you are almost completing the project.

3. Choose a Proper Environment and Appropriate Tools

When it comes to writing your script, use any tool you’re familiar with, such as pen and paper. Also, find a writing atmosphere that is relaxing for you, where you can concentrate and be creative.

Consider what you don’t have to express out loud when you’re writing. Visual elements will be used to communicate a large portion of your content.

4. Use a Template

When you don’t have to reinvent the process every time you sit down, you get speed and consistency.

It’s using your cumulative knowledge of what works and doing it over and over again. Don’t start with a blank page when I sit down to create a script- try to use an already made template. 

5. Be Conversational

You want scripts that use language that is specific and targeted. Always avoid buzzwords, cliches, and generalizations. You want your audience to comprehend you clearly without rolling their eyes.

6. Be Narrative

Make careful to use a strong story structure when you’re trying to explain anything clearly. Ensure your script has a beginning, middle, and end, no matter how short it is. This will provide a familiar path for the viewers of your video script.

7. Edit Your Script

Make each word work for a certain position on the page when you choose your words.

They must serve a purpose.

After you’ve completed your first draft, go over your script and review it.

Then begin editing, reordering, and trimming. Remove as much as possible.

Consider cutting it if it isn’t helping you achieve your goal.

 8. Read Your Script Loudly

Before recording or going on in your process, it’s recommended to read your script aloud at least once. Even if you won’t be the one reading it, this is a good method to ensure that your message is clear. It’s a good idea to be away from people so you may practice in peace.

Words that flow well on paper don’t always flow well when spoken aloud. You might need to make some adjustments based on how tough certain phrases are to pronounce- it’s a lot easier to change it now than when recording.

9. Get Feedback

Sometimes it is very difficult to point out your mistakes in any piece of writing. Therefore, if you want a perfect video essay script, it is advisable to seek feedback from people who are not involved in the project.

Keep in mind that many will try to tear your work apart and make you feel incompetent. However, it can also be an opportunity to make your video better.

The best way to gather feedback is to assemble a group of people and read your script to them. Watch their facial reaction and jot own comments as you read. Make sure not to defend your decisions. Only listen to comments and ask questions to clarify.

After gathering feedback, decide on what points to include in your video essay. Also, you can ask someone else to read it to you so that you can listen to its follow.

A video essay can be a good mode to present all types of essays, especially compare and contrast essays as you can visually contrast the two subjects of your content.

How to make a Good Video from your Essay Script

You can make a good video from your script if you ask yourself the following questions;

• What is the video’s purpose? What is the purpose of the video in the first place?
• Who is this video’s intended audience?
• What is the subject of our video? (The more precise you can be, the better.) 
• What are the most important points to remember from the video?- What should viewers take away from it?

If the context had multiple characters, present their dialogues well in the essay to bring originality. If there is a need to involve another person, feel free to incorporate them.

How to Present a Video Essay Well in Class

• Write down keywords or main ideas in a notecard; do not write details- writing main ideas will help you remember your points when presenting. This helps you scan through your notecard for information.
• Practice- in presentations it is easy to tell who has practiced and who hasn’t. For your video essay to grab your class and professor’s attention, practice is the key. Practice in front of your friends and family asking for feedback and try to improve.
• Smile at your audience- this is one of the most important points when presenting anything in front of an audience. A smiley face draws the attention of the audience making them smile in return thus giving you confidence.
• Walk to your seat with a smile- try not to be disappointed even if you are not applauded. Be confident that you have aced your video presentation.

Other video presentations tips include;

• Making eye contact
• Have a good posture
• Do not argue with the audience 
• Look at everyone around the room, not just one audience or one spot
• Rember to use your hand and facial expressions to make a point.

Joseph is a freelance journalist and a part-time writer with a particular interest in the gig economy. He writes about schooling, college life, and changing trends in education. When not writing, Joseph is hiking or playing chess.

Green Media Studies

See also...

Relevant Groups :

• Green Media Studies Facebook Group
• Pathways to Sustainability (UU)

Relevant Publications :

• The Journal of Environmental Media
• Media + Environment
• Resilience. A Journal of the Environmental Humanities
• Ecomedia Studies (archived version)

Video Essay Samples

Below, we are including selected video essays created in the course Green Media and Civic Engagement since fall 2020. With the video essay assignment, we encourage students to reflect on how the media modalities of a video essay require but also allow for different ways of thinking about   'hyperobjects' Cf. Morton, Timothy. 2013. Hyperobjects . Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. like sustainability and climate change. That is, rather considering the essays primarily as ‘representations’, we use them to discuss questions of eco epistemology with students, using the essays as 'epistemic objects' Cf. Ewenstein, Boris, and Jennifer Whyte. 2009. “Knowledge Practices in Design: The Role of Visual Representations as ‘Epistemic Objects.’” Organization Studies 30 (1): 7–30. https://doi.org/10.1177/0170840608083014. .

Eulogy for the Planet (2021)

A Dumpster-Diving Adventure

Climate Night (2021)

Is the Internet Really Sustainable? (2020)

Ecological Identities (2020)

Environmental Communication, H&M and Fast Fashion (2020)

Get the Reddit app

The realm of the most anti-climactic short stories from 4chan.

anon expresses his annoyance with video game video essay title templates

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

In Search of the Lost Fireflies

By Margaret Renkl

Ms. Renkl is a contributing Opinion writer who covers flora, fauna, politics and culture in the American South.

I first learned about blue ghosts last year from Jennifer Frick-Ruppert , a zoologist at Brevard College in western North Carolina. I was at Brevard for a writers’ conference, and Dr. Frick-Ruppert offered to take me to see the ethereal fireflies that glow without blinking. But it rained that night, and lightning bugs don’t fly in a hard rain. I was heartbroken. I was also determined to get back there this year and try again.

When obligations in May made the timing of that goal unreachable, I set my sights on the later-emerging synchronous fireflies of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles East Tennessee and western North Carolina. Synchronous fireflies flash in unison — blinking together and then going dark together before blinking together again. Generations of East Tennesseans have called this extraordinary phenomenon the Light Show. So many people want to see them that except for the lucky visitors whose names are chosen in a lottery each year, that area of the park is closed during firefly mating season. I was not one of the lucky ones.

By the time my family left for vacation in western North Carolina in early June, I’d given up on seeing the famous fireflies of the Appalachian forests.

Then Georgann Eubanks, the author of several books about the wild South , volunteered to put me in touch with the naturalist Tal Galton, owner of Snakeroot Ecotours . She said he could point me toward the fireflies I’d been longing to see.

Mr. Galton did much more than point. On a scouting trip into the Pisgah National Forest the night before, he had found the synchronous fireflies going strong at 3,000 feet, and also a sizable population of blue ghosts at 3,800 feet. He offered to take my whole family to see both.

By climbing to an elevation where temperatures would effectively send us backward in time by 10 days or so, we could experience the peak blue-ghost season of late springtime. Dropping to a lower elevation would bring us back into the peak synchronous season of early summer. Mr. Galton calls this strategy “ chasing spring .” He employs it not just for firefly tours but also for wildflower tours and nature retreats.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .