Simplicity and Sarcasm at the Post

The video I chose is “Washington Sketch: Gen. Pace’s Military Sendoff,” which appears on washingtonpost.com. Like most Post videos, it uses no-frills camera technique and a reporter/narrator who does voiceovers and talks to the camera. The overarching effect is that of simplicity. Pans are at a minimum, and are used only when the subject, typically Gen. Pace or a marching band, is itself moving. At 4:44, it feels uncluttered and well-paced. Regarding composition, I think it’s perfect.

What’s most interesting about the video is its content and angle of coverage. As it often does, the Post presents the material in a flippant, almost sarcastic way. For example, the reporter says, “the security is tight, three magnetometers, snipers at the ready and eight porta-potties…the administration has a history of bestowing its most lavish ceremonies on those who have suffered the greatest public humiliation.” The reporter later narrates from in front of the porta-potties. Clearly, the video is a sharp criticism. The Post is a publication unafraid of interpreting the significance of news and poking fun at Washington’s absurdities.

To see some other video work that’s really interesting, watch the Post series “On Being.” It has to be the coolest video on the Web. It’s far more feature than news, however. Still, I think it illustrates some interesting and innovative camera work.