How can you tell a story with video in a non-linear way?

1 Why use non-linear video?

Non-linear video can help you capture the attention and interest of your audience, especially in a crowded and noisy online environment. By breaking the conventional rules of narrative, you can challenge the expectations and assumptions of your viewers, and invite them to participate actively in your story. Non-linear video can also help you convey complex or abstract concepts, such as memory, identity, or dreams, by using visual and audio cues to create associations and contrasts.

2 How to plan your non-linear video?

Before you start shooting or editing your non-linear video, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how you want to structure your story. You can use different tools and methods to plan your non-linear video, such as storyboards, mind maps, or diagrams. You should also consider the purpose, audience, and context of your video, and how they will affect the way you present your information and elicit your desired response.

3 How to shoot your non-linear video?

When you shoot your non-linear video, you have to think about how each shot will fit into the overall story and how it will relate to the other shots. You can use different techniques to create transitions and connections between your shots, such as match cuts, jump cuts, or cross-cutting. You can also use different angles, distances, and movements to create variety and contrast in your shots, and to show different points of view or moods.

5 How to evaluate your non-linear video?

To measure the success of your non-linear video, you need to define your goals and criteria, and collect and analyze data and feedback. You can use different metrics and tools to evaluate your non-linear video, such as views, likes, comments, shares, or surveys. You should also reflect on your own experience and learning, and identify what worked well and what could be improved in your non-linear video.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?