Structure and Narrative
Why every flick needs a beginning, middle, and end — and simple ways to add narrative tension without overcomplicating your shoot.
The whole point of NanoFlick is to give your videos structure. You can use predefined story templates, create your own, or start from a blank template. The important part is to give your flick a beginning, middle, and end. Without that structure, you don't have a story — you have a clip or a slideshow, and it won't be especially memorable.
Move the narrative forward
As you're shooting, add shots that push the story along. A few techniques that punch above their weight:
- Show back-and-forth between two people.
- Cut to reactions.
- Build a small moment of tension or suspense.
- Hide a detail from the viewer early, then reveal it later.
Most of this can be achieved with just a five-second shot here or there. You don't need to plan a screenplay — you just need to think one step ahead of "what's happening right now."
If you're stuck, ask yourself: what does the viewer not yet know? Add a shot that answers (or further hides) that question.
Text-only shots
You can add a title over any shot. If you want a title without an underlying clip — a chapter card, a punchline, a date — just shoot a black frame (or cover the lens while you shoot). Add the title and trim the length to taste.
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