This week I was editing my portrait. It was difficult to decide which bits of footage not only best matched what Ted was saying during his interview, but also what would be most interesting to watch for an audience. It was difficult deciding when to put in the background sounds of the cutaway footage and when not to.

All of these different elements can change the entire outlook of your video, it can make it more emotionally appealing, or it can make it more factual and informative. Deciding which angle I preferred was easy. Films that pull at your emotions are always more entertaining.

When you look at specific documentaries, the most successful ones are those that bring emotions into what they are talking about. Specifically referencing David Attenborough’s nature documentaries. The detailed shots of a mother penguin returning to it’s mother, or a seal struggling to out manoeuvre the jaws of a great white make you feel something. That’s the essence I hope to be able to capture one day