I was watching the music video to BTS’s song Dynamite the other day because it cheers me up, and I realized that the editing in this brilliant, super fun video is a great lesson for writing scenes.
First, watch the video:
Did you notice how the edits are motivated, when we switch from one scene to another? Let me explain: after what I consider the prologue of the story, we have Jungkook in his room, singing and dancing. He ends his sequence (at 0:49) by clapping his hands which takes us via a match cut into RM’s scene. The hand clap motivates the transition. The next transition is even more direct: RM finishes his sequence (0:56) by pointing right (his left, our right) which precipitates a jump cut to J-Hope, who “catches” the energy by looking left, then straight into the camera. And so on, as the members pass off the scene to each other.
So what does this mean? The edits and the choreography work together to focus our attention and lead us through the story of this song and video. They hold us by the hand. Each transition makes sense and builds a sense of progression. They mix it up, too, so it doesn’t feel stale. For example, the next transition is when J-Hope points out of the window (1:05). We see him through the window, then it cuts to Jungkook again, walking into the scene while the other members watch. Then they ALL glance in the same direction, straight at the camera, and we cut to Jimin and his solo (1:13).
This is a great visual example of what scenes can do, in certain types of stories that benefit from this sort of direction, and this linearity and clarity. (Not all stories do, to be clear.) In some stories, a scene really needs to lead the reader to the next scene somehow: something in scene A points to scene B. A thread from scene A draws us to scene B. It could be a plot-based element, like the consequence of some action that’s happened; or it could be a contrast that increases tension (“Meanwhile, back the ranch…”). Or it could be a character that bridges the scenes, or a location that does.
Even if your story isn’t this linear or this clearly directed, I still think you need some connective transition that keeps the flow going for the reader and makes them say, “But what happens next? I have to keep reading!”
Just like we keep watching the BTS video. š