Video editing is not only a technical skill, but also an artistic one. As a video editor, you can use various techniques to create a sense of empathy in your audience, which can make your videos more engaging, emotional, and impactful. In this article, we will explore some of these techniques and how to apply them in different genres and contexts.
Music is a powerful tool to evoke emotions and set the mood of your video. You can use music to amplify the feelings of your characters, to create contrast or irony, or to build tension and suspense. The choice of music depends on the genre and tone of your video, as well as the message you want to convey. For example, if you are editing a documentary, you might want to use music that reflects the culture and history of your subject, or that creates a sense of urgency and relevance. If you are editing a comedy, you might want to use music that matches the humor and style of your video, or that creates a surprise or a twist.
Our ability to hear is the first of our senses that is developed in utero. Consequently our reaction to sound is quite primal, making sound, in terms of visceral effect much stronger then imagery and the use of audio, an effective way of creating a sense of empathy or for that matter, any range of emotions. As with any technique understanding the conceptual underpinnings of a work is of the utmost importance. Using audio that contradicts the imagery, creates interesting results, as would nonsynchronous sounds to image. While audio that replicates the feel of the image can be rather boring or maudlin, which can also be an interesting statement depending on the message effect you wish to achieve.
I know virtually zero about video editing but I do know about story telling and I'd have to land on music as the #1 impact-maker to telling a story visually. Take any famous classic film throughout film history and remove the music and you've got nearly nothing emotionally apart from the performances of the actors and the writing of the screenwriters.
Music can evoke so much emotion, so score and choose your music wisely. Above all else be real. Show and incite real emotion about real things. Lastly have a good, moral character -- someone who always tries to do the right thing and learns from their mistakes. Selfless thinking.
The right background score or sound design can significantly influence the emotional tone of a scene. Music can be used to heighten emotions and create a deeper sense of empathy for the characters or situation. Sometimes, no music is exactly what the scene needs to really amplify the emotional feelings the character is experiencing in that moment.
When it comes to video editing to make the character read to the audience with empathy you can do what people in this discussion say, choose the right song, start at the close up then pull back to a wide shot, lightening, silence, etc. What should be your first goal to attacking any story isn't the right shot, song, light, lense, etc. It should be what your 'narrative' is, in other words, WHO is telling the story! Is it the character? A person 'with' the character? A bystander? Unseen narrator? Understand that FIRST, then go to the next steps.
Close-ups and eye contact are effective ways to create a sense of empathy in your video, as they allow the audience to connect with the characters and their emotions. Close-ups can show the subtle expressions and reactions of your characters, while eye contact can create a direct and intimate relationship with the audience. You can use close-ups and eye contact to highlight important moments, to reveal the inner thoughts and feelings of your characters, or to create a sense of involvement and participation. For example, if you are editing a drama, you might want to use close-ups and eye contact to show the conflict and resolution of your characters, or to create a sense of empathy and sympathy. If you are editing a horror, you might want to use close-ups and eye contact to show the fear and terror of your characters, or to create a sense of anticipation and dread.
Bring the viewer in close with a character to build empathy. But, if you want the viewer to think the character feels lonely, a high wide shot (possibly a slow pull out) showing them small in the middle of an empty area.
At a moment of emotional impact when something is being revealed by a person who is talking, add a slow zoom into the subject. (In Final Cut this can be easily done with the ‘Ken Burns’ effect). It gives the impending sense that important information is being conveyed, like as a listener, when you lean in to listen more intently.
To evoke empathy in video editing, focus on close-ups of facial expressions, use soft transitions, and incorporate emotional music. Narratives that highlight personal stories or struggles also enhance empathy. Adjusting color tones to match the mood can further enhance emotional connection.
If you're trying to create empathy when editing, you've not planned too well and left it too late. Storyboarding and directing is when you deal with creating empathy!
Pace and rhythm are essential elements of video editing, as they affect the flow and energy of your video. You can use pace and rhythm to create a sense of empathy in your video, by matching them with the emotions and actions of your characters. You can vary the pace and rhythm of your video by using different types of shots, transitions, cuts, and effects. For example, if you are editing an action, you might want to use a fast pace and rhythm to create a sense of excitement and adrenaline. If you are editing a romance, you might want to use a slow pace and rhythm to create a sense of intimacy and romance.
Adjusting the pacing of a scene through editing can affect how the audience emotionally engages with it. Slower pacing allows for more time to process and feel the emotions being portrayed, while faster pacing can heighten tension and urgency. Schindler's List uses long hangs to allow the seriousness of the emotional impact of a scene to mature and grow with you while Mad Max Fury Road has frenetic pacing acting as a surrogate to the energy of the characters and their experience.
For high emotion moments, leave in the quiet pauses, especially if you can visibly see someone struggling, processing or holding back. Fast paced edits of something that is hard to process will only leave viewers upset and unable to process what's happening. Slowing down and letting the story unfold at a slower pace allows the viewer time to mentally stay present so their empathy can surface naturally.
Color and lighting are another way to create a sense of empathy in your video, as they influence the mood and atmosphere of your video. You can use color and lighting to enhance the emotions and themes of your video, by using different shades, tones, and contrasts. For example, if you are editing a thriller, you might want to use dark and cold colors and lighting to create a sense of mystery and danger. If you are editing a fantasy, you might want to use bright and warm colors and lighting to create a sense of wonder and magic.
The colour tone of a scene can influence the mood and emotional response of the audience. Warmer tones often evoke feelings of comfort and intimacy, while cooler tones can create a sense of isolation or sadness.
Sound effects and voice-overs are additional elements that can create a sense of empathy in your video, as they add realism and depth to your video. You can use sound effects and voice-overs to complement the visuals and the music of your video, by using different sounds, volumes, and pitches. For example, if you are editing a sci-fi, you might want to use sound effects and voice-overs to create a sense of futuristic and alien. If you are editing a documentary, you might want to use sound effects and voice-overs to create a sense of authenticity and credibility.
Sound effects that mimic real life are best as is utilizing periods of silence. Think like in intense films where something big happens. Often the normal noise cuts out but all you hear is a sound that mimics ringing in your ears. Or when bad news is told to someone, they go quiet. Creating sound effects that imitate how people react in real life can literally trigger the same emotional response in your viewer.
I find establishing shot(s) and/or montages offer the best, easiest and fastest way to set any tone, emotion or atmosphere. Nothing is more obvious and yet still affective. That said, coupled with the right musical or sound effect choice, you can lead the audience in ANY direction. With minimal effort, you can heighten whatever you want the audience to feel. Of course, the audience is yours to lose, as well. The wrong choices can be jarring or disorienting and this will hurt your efforts. Don't try to be clever; know where you want to end up and you should be able to avoid any mistakes or misdirection.
Great question. I'd take a step back and look at how the scenes are going to be shot in the first place, that would elicit emotional connection and then that is amplified in the edit. Close-Up Shots Reaction Shots Cross-Cutting POV Match Cuts and Match on Action Juxtaposition Music and Sound Editing Pacing and Rhythm Montage Sequences - not my favourite Colour Grading Each of these techniques can be used in various combinations to elicit empathy, depending on the narrative context and the emotional journey intended for the audience. While the art of editing is in choosing the right technique at the right moment to maximise emotional impact, it starts on the set, hard to edit a scene if you don't have the right shots to tell the story.