I Tried a New Video Format—Here's What Happened
After a couple of posts on routine and security, I felt the need to get back to something a bit more dynamic. So, I'm going to share an experiment I'd been putting off for a while: making a video in a format that's completely out of my wheelhouse.
So, Why Was I Stuck in a Rut?
Honestly, I'd been sticking to the same formula for a long time: shoot, quick edit, post. It was working, and I was afraid to fix what wasn't broken. But at a certain point, I realized that if I didn't try anything new, I'd easily fall into the exact same routine I wrote about in my last piece.
What Was the New Format?
My videos are usually short and fast-paced. This time, I did the complete opposite: longer, slower, with a narrative voiceover instead of jump cuts. It felt more like a "heart-to-heart" chat than my usual content.
How Did the Process Go?
It was incredibly awkward, to be honest. The edit took way longer because I had to build a completely different structure. I was tempted to scrap the whole thing and go back to my usual format several times—it felt like I was speaking a foreign language, even though the tools were the same (still using DaVinci Resolve, by the way, just with a totally different editing mindset).
What Were the Results?
I'm not going to pretend the result was a clear improvement over my usual format—it wasn't. But something more interesting came out of it than the final video itself: I got a fresh perspective on my own skills. It turns out I can hold an audience's attention with just my voice and pacing, not just with quick cuts. I'd never even considered that before.
My Key Takeaways
- Not every experiment has to be a "hit." Sometimes the value isn't in the outcome, but in what you learn about yourself.
- Stepping out of your usual format is a skill in itself. The less I use it, the harder it gets.
- It’s better to experiment periodically rather than wait for the "perfect moment." As usual, the perfect moment never came—I just went for it.
Will I Do It Again?
Yes, but I won't make it my primary format. I'll probably mix it in from time to time to avoid getting stuck in one style and to keep things interesting for myself.
Over to You!
Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone—whether in your studies, a hobby, or a side hustle? What were the results, and would you do it again?