Okay, you’ve got 4 minutes and 24 seconds to tell a great story. Ready? Go!
Blake Shelton did it in spectacular fashion in this official video for his latest single, “Doin’ What She Likes” (album, “Based on a True Story…”
In the video, Blake plays a regular guy with a deep romantic streak. Speaking by phone with his sweetheart, a twinkle in his eye, he suggests they spend the night at home and “fan the flame” a bit. As the story at first plays out in a predictable fashion, Blake races around the house preparing for a special night.
We never do get to see The Girl, which is unusual for Country music videos (famous for Daisy Duke-style hot girls in skimpy attire). What makes this video special? In delightful contrast to the sweet, syrupy sentiments expressed in the song’s lyrics — it all goes incredibly wrong.
Don’t let the country-bumpkin, aw-shucks first impression fool ya. Blake Shelton is a Master Storyteller. He hit a home run more than a decade ago with his first release, “Austin,” an emotional tale of lost love reunited. Now, “Doin’ What She Likes” uses foreshadowing, irony, suspense, metaphor and more to tell a wildly entertaining story for what could have been just another tender love ballad.
Watch the video, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. (…is it getting hot in here? Whew!)
Can you tell a powerful story in just a few minutes? What are some of the key ways to keep a short story “tight”? Share your ideas in Comments, just below.
Oh yeah, that dude is funny! LOL 😀
Yes he is, but he’s so sincere and likable about it, don’t you think?
Keepin’ it tight. Word economy.
So simple. So hard.
I use nouns and verbs that need no adjectives and adverbs.
Implied parallelism can eliminate associated words, as can allusions.
Beginning a motto is like the proverbial “stitch in time…”
Wish I was really good at it.
I love your point about nouns and verbs that are strong enough to stand alone, Katharine.
I’m not as clear on “implied parallelism” though. Can you tell me more about that?
That’s certainly not the type of video a person would expect from listening to the music. 😉
I agree, Kathy. I’d heard the song long before I ever saw this video. The direction that Blake and his team took with it really surprised me, and that was fun!
The female voice on the phone sounds like Miranda. 🙂
Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com