Frank Howarth is a woodworker, architect and YouTube sensation. In contrast to the sped up 30 second clips that fill our timelines (here’s looking at you Tasty), Frank’s videos are often over 10 minutes long.
And you know what? I watch until the end of every video.
Master of Pace
Frank Howarth has mastered patient storytelling. His pace is leisurely. His editing is superior.
Frank begins his videos explaining his vision for a new project. He’ll use rough sketches or illustrations to show what he has in mind for the final project. Often he'll go through several sketches before landing on the right design.
This is the first step in the brilliance of his storytelling.
Frank doesn’t skip the gray-area and go straight to the answer. When deciding between two designs, he talks through pros and cons of choosing one design over another. If he begins a project one way and then decides to backtrack, he will keep in the footage from the first iteration.
Frank grants you permission you to sit in his sawdust filled shop and go through his creative process.
And what creative process isn’t messy and non-linear?
I admire how he allows his mistakes to become a part of the learning process for his viewers. His ego doesn't get in the way of sharing what really happened with a project.
Editing to Delight
You’re along for the ride as he selects the wood, sands down the material, glues necessary pieces together and starts the wood carving. Pay attention to the camera angles and variety of shots he includes. I’m constantly delighted at a camera placed inside of a lathe spinner, or a Go-Pro attached to the handle of his dolly.
Frank deploys a toolbox of video tricks including stop-motion, close angles, wide shots, tracked movement, and some editing trickery. His most famous video is shot completely as stop-motion, but his later work displays a wider variety of talent.
The Use of Narration and Natural Sound
Perhaps most masterful of all is his ability to keep steady pace with the right amount of narration and natural sound. During longer shots Frank talks through how the wood is behaving and the techniques being put to use.
But Frank doesn’t talk during all of his videos. The clacking of clamps and scraping sounds of the lathe provide a natural rhythm and heartbeat to each video.
Woodworking is an introverted process and his videos showcase the peaceful nature of the craft. I don’t doubt that he spends as much time piecing together even audio as he does choosing clips from hundreds of hours of footage.
Take a look at several of my favorite videos below.
Five Lessons About Video Storytelling from Frank Howarth
Restrain from editing out the messy parts of the creative process.
Use a variety of angles to keep the vantage point unique.
- Surprise your viewer with different styles of editing.
- Let the audience step into your decision making.
- Use natural sound for a consistent rhythm.
Do you have a favorite YouTuber who has a specific style of storytelling?
Share with me in the comments below!