3 Lessons from a Master Storyteller: Hasan Minhaj
I consider Hasan Minhaj to be one of the Master Storytellers of our generation and I had the pleasure of speaking with him and pulling out some of his expertise in our latest episode.
Hasan was on the show to talk about his new Netflix special, The King’s Jester . This interview is a masterclass in storytelling – I’m sharing 3 of my favorite takeaways here, but if you care about good storytelling, you should listen to the whole thing.?
Algorithm vs Artistry
One of my favorite moments of the interview is when Hasan defines what it means to be an artist: “An artist has something in their head or their heart that they want to say, and they have to get it out.”
Artistry is having an idea or a belief, and putting it out into the world. That’s what it means to create as an artist. But on social media platforms, sometimes creators get distracted and make things not because they need to say them, but because they perform well and get views.
From Hasan’s perspective, if you’re making content just to serve what the algorithm wants, you’re doing it wrong. He compared servicing the algorithm to refining crude oil for YouTube, Meta, and Twitter.
Hasan has found balance through performing comedy live and posting it online. He lets the audience's reaction at live shows guide his decisions because algorithms amplify people on the extremes.?
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It’s all about the PDF
This is a lesson Hasan repeated throughout our interview. It’s all about the PDF. If the idea for your story is sh*t, nothing else matters. No amount of pre-production or editing can turn a bad idea into a good story.
Take the production value of The King’s Jester – Hasan built a $1.6 million stage for the show and had 16 cameras. Starting with a bulletproof idea gave him the confidence to make that investment.
More creators need to apply this rule to YouTube videos. Just because you have an interesting title and thumbnail doesn’t mean a video will perform well – it has to be backed up by a solid idea.
Good storytelling involves risk
The best storytellers pull the audience in through confession and vulnerability. They aren’t afraid of putting themselves on the line to build intimacy and connection with their audience. That’s a huge risk for creators to take, but it raises the stakes of your story.?
Hasan calls comedy the act of confession, and in this special, he really embraces that.?
That’s clear from the moment The King’s Jester starts. It opens with Hasan looking directly into the camera and asking the audience “Do you want to hear a secret?” That feels like Hasan is talking directly to you, confessing something to you.
?? Owner/Video Strategist ? Video Production ? Branding expert ? Creative ? Creating video assets and strategies that make your business more successful ?? [email protected]
1 年I saw the video of this on YT but couldn't find the part where he said "If the idea is sh*t, nothing else matters. No amount of pre-production or editing can turn a bad idea into a good story." Do you all have that video anywhere? It's too good not to post!
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2 年Make meaningful connections.
Paid Tech Convincer/Business Grower; Unpaid Motivator/Helper
2 年Thanks, Samir. Hasan's a great get; I've liked his work since back when he was on The Daily Show. And Patriot Act w/Hasan Minhaj was super good (and canceled way too soon).
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2 年Well said.acccix10/17/3020. 2020 for Congress! Be listening to that drone commerical on YouTube com Lax airport!
Strategic Associate to the CEO at Piton Wealth - Thrivent Financial
2 年Interesting feature and feedback, but it's heartening to have the reminder that storytelling and having something to say are crucial in the long run. All substantive creative genres have their rules and mechanisms, and algorithms seem to part of that today. Within that structure (or any others), there remain many many effective ways to tell a worthwhile story (and plenty more ways to a bad story badly).?