The Event Story

An event story is a bit like a news story that you might see on television. For such a news story, there will be a lot of details about the event without a focus on a specific hero, or even on a particularly narrative timeline.

The important thing about an event story is that you look for specific details that highlight the event. In this case, you’re telling a story about the event, not simply about a person in the event. If you focus on a person in the event, then it usually becomes more of a narrative story. (See Figures 4.12–4.13.)

Specificity is important. You don’t want to simply show a big stack of presents at a birthday party, for example. You want to show individual presents so that you give an impression of the variety of presents that were actually at this party. You also don’t want simply to show kids running around at such a party. You want to show specific kids in specific dress so that again, the viewer starts to understand the dynamics and special qualities of this event. Look for as many different and unique details about the event as you can capture. You will be creating an impression of this event through a montage of video images.