The Tradeoff Between Genuine and Professionally Made Videos

In the age of digital media, the landscape of video content, as well as video quality is constantly evolving. For a long time, TV was the primary source of video content in the past, with professionally produced series, movies, news, and shows dominating our screens. With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, how we consume and perceive videos has undergone a significant transformation, seeking out the quickest dopamine hit.

While viewers have access to endless video content tailored to their individual tastes, creators have the freedom to publish anything. Even if a video is low in production quality, a high level of authenticity has the capability to push the video to go viral.

As a filmmaker, I often reflect on the tradeoff between watching genuine video content by genuine people and watching planned, structured, high-quality videos made professionally. This article explores this tradeoff and its impact on viewers and creators alike.

The Appeal of Genuine Videos

There’s an undeniable charm in watching authentic video content created by regular people. With their imperfections and spontaneity, these videos often feel more relatable and genuine, resonating deeply with viewers. The relatability of genuine content fosters a sense of trust and connection that highly polished professional videos sometimes lack.
People tend to become skeptical when they perceive everything as perfect, feeling that what they watch is made by a big or small corporation with an agenda, not by an individual who just voices their opinion.

However, the line between genuine and staged content can blur. For instance, a vlog of a person’s daily life can be genuine, but it might also be sponsored by a company, diminishing the content’s authenticity. Even authentic video content may have underlying agendas or sponsors influencing their message.

This raises the question: How do we determine when video content is genuine? It may be more authentic because it doesn’t look so polished and neat, but how do we know there isn’t an agenda behind that video? This underscores the need for critical consumption and questioning of video authenticity, empowering viewers to make informed choices and feel more in control of their viewing experience.

The other day, I stumbled upon a random amateur video in my feed. It featured people of specific races dancing in front of expensive supercars. Everything seemed fine, but a small emoticon of a particular country’s flag was in the middle of the screen. Surprisingly, that emoticon sparked a substantial impact on the viewers, leading to a flurry of racist comments in the comments section.

As someone who likes to analyze things, I paid attention to the number plates of the cars (although they weren’t so obvious), and I realized that the cars didn’t even belong to the country of the flag. It’s possible that someone intentionally reposted this video and added the flag to create conflict and chaos among the viewers of the specific country.

Many people believe in the authenticity of videos without questioning their validity. As someone who works in media, I always approach content with a critical eye, questioning its authenticity and agenda. For example, when I see video content has been reposted, I try to hunt down the original to see if something was added or modified in the repost. Content creators, professional or amateur, wield significant power, and with that power comes the responsibility to consider the ethical implications of their work.

The Allure of Professional Videos

On the other hand, professionally made videos offer a level of quality and storytelling that can captivate and engage viewers on a different level. This video content is meticulously planned and executed, often involving teams of skilled professionals. High production values can enhance the viewing experience, drawing audiences into a well-crafted narrative that is captivating and engaging. But are those professional videos genuine?

As a filmmaker with years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working in various departments within the industry. This journey has given me a unique perspective on the intricate processes that contribute to the allure of professional video content. One of the key elements in professional videography is the attention to detail and the deliberate choices made during production. Many such examples can be seen in our flagship Course 'Working With Humans'.

From my early days as a video editor, I learned the importance of narrative structure. Professional video content is not just a sequence of random clips; they are carefully curated to tell a compelling story. This involves deciding which scenes to include, where to place them, and how to transition between them seamlessly. We talk more about storytelling in our respective article.

Working under directors and producers, I’ve seen firsthand how decisions are made about what to show and what to hide. These choices can be driven by various factors, including the video’s intended message, the client’s preferences, or even social and political considerations. For instance, there have been instances where I was instructed to stop the video at a certain point to avoid showing something deemed sensitive or inappropriate.

These decisions are crucial in shaping the final product and ensuring it aligns with the desired narrative. A good example is when certain parts might be cut out during interviews to maintain the video’s flow or adhere to time constraints. This selective editing can sometimes alter the intended message, a powerful tool that professional videographers must wield responsibly.

However, this level of control and manipulation comes with significant ethical responsibility. As content creators, we must be mindful of the messages we convey and the potential impact on our audience.

Pursuing perfection should not come at the expense of authenticity and honesty. It’s crucial to strike a balance between producing high-quality content and maintaining the integrity of the story we are telling. This respect for the audience’s intelligence and values is a cornerstone of responsible content creation, and it’s a responsibility that should be felt deeply by all content creators.

Social Media Algorithms and Audience Segmentation

Social media platforms have algorithms that cater to different audiences, creating unique bubbles for each viewer. For example, videos on Facebook often have a longer length, showing procedures or tasks in detail and appealing to an older audience. In contrast, videos on TikTok are shorter, catering to Gen Z’s quick consumption habits.

This segmentation means that videos are tailored to specific audiences, with each platform optimizing content for maximum engagement. However, this also creates echo chambers, where viewers are continually fed content that reinforces their existing preferences and biases. This can limit the diversity of content we consume, as we may not be exposed to videos that challenge our viewpoints or introduce us to new ideas.

The algorithms actually reduce our capability of critical thinking. It’s crucial to break out of these echo chambers and actively seek out diverse content, as this can broaden our perspectives and make us more open-minded and receptive to new ideas.

I recently created a fresh Instagram account and have not followed any accounts. The number of random video reels my feed was trying to give me to get me hooked was unbelievable. The video content was random, but some was also very disturbing. They were playing with your intellect and emotions, making me think that these videos are someone’s ‘world’ and their feed and only show them what they like.

I am challenging you to create a new Instagram account and not interact with anything from the feed, and you will see a totally different ‘world’. The moment you press the like button on one video, all your feed will change to what you thought was worth your like.

The Responsibility of Content Creators and Viewers

As a filmmaker, I understand the significant responsibility of conveying a message through my work. Every video has the potential to impact society, whether in a small or profound way. Pursuing views, likes, and comments can sometimes lead creators to prioritize attention-grabbing content over meaningful storytelling. The adage “if it’s stupid and it works, then it isn’t stupid” often rings true…unless, of course, the entire audience is stupid….or just young. Do children know what not to consume? We must always consider the psychological impact on viewers.

With smartphones in nearly everyone’s hands, we have all become videographers. Every moment that feels exciting or different “must” be filmed. I experienced this recently at a catamaran party I attended, where a person must have taken hundreds of photos and videos during the 6-hour event, with their phone stuck to their hand, simply to show their online social network how much fun they were having. For some, this behavior sounds funny, normal, too much, disturbing, or they don’t mind.

The critical questions are: “Who is watching this content, and from what perspective? For what reasons? How well-adjusted is this person psychologically to have a phone literally glued in their hand while capturing content for 6 hours?”

Conclusion: Critical Consumption

In conclusion, the tradeoff between genuine and professionally made videos highlights the complexities of modern media consumption. While genuine videos offer authenticity and relatability, professional videos provide quality and storytelling. Social media algorithms shape our viewing experiences, creating unique bubbles for each viewer. The ubiquity of videography has changed how we perceive and interact with the world, often leading to a loss of immediacy and quality.

As both creators and viewers, we must approach video content critically. By questioning the authenticity and agenda behind videos, we can better navigate the vast landscape of digital media. One way to question the authenticity and agenda behind videos is to consider the source of the video and any potential biases they may have. It’s also essential to fact-check the information presented in the video and compare it with other reliable sources.

Additionally, analyzing the visual and audio content for any signs of manipulation can help determine the video’s authenticity. The main message here is not to consume everything that you watch mindlessly. Filter content, be critical, and question everything. Videos can be deceiving, leading you down paths you may want to avoid following. With great power comes great responsibility, both in creating and consuming content. Viewers are also responsible for engaging with content thoughtfully and supporting creators who prioritize meaningful storytelling over attention-grabbing content.