Want better video? Try asking yourself “Why” and see what happens. Sometimes people will look at you a little funny, but remember that you don’t need to ask out loud.
“Why shoot this video?” leads to answers like “to remember our vacation,” “to get more people to contribute” “to show why our pet store is the best.” Any big “Why?” leads you to insights about what you’re shooting– which help you make decisions as you go.
Smaller “Why”s help too. Why put the camera here? Why be close now? Why shoot this at night? Why does Neo take the blue pill?
Whether you’re planning or you’re in the middle of it and not sure what to do next, a good “Why?” always gives you perspective.
Steve Stockman is a writer/ producer/ director in Los Angeles. How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck, available in 9 languages, is the best selling video how-to book in the world. You can find the updated (2017) edition from Workman Publishing wherever you get books, ebooks or audiobooks. 
