More Than Words

I particularly enjoyed the George Watsky excerpts not only for his engaging methods of storytelling, but mainly because he uses other mediums to portray his personality and wit that would otherwise be difficult to express effectively in writing. What immediately comes to mind is how Watsky navigates awkwardness in his interactions. Specifically, I recall the scene in How To Ruin Everything where the camera is match-cutting back and forth between Watsky and the two activity planners, building on that unpleasant atmosphere established in the room as they wait for an audience. I think taking a digital approach to this story is great because the camera and the expressions say everything that needs to be said, and makes for a more interesting narrative than 12 lines in a book about how they were staring at each other. Of course, there are effective ways to write about an experience like this, but this approach really conveys that deadpan humor that Watsky is so fond of. 

The use of a camera is also important in conjunction with the narration in the video. There’s a scene where Watsky expresses his feelings about how he eats on the road. He claims that he wants to eat healthier while the camera is jumping from his face to a microwavable meal on a gas station check-out counter. This is another great instance of humor in a memoir portrayed effectively in video. I feel like this scene wouldn’t have much of a comedic punchline if it was just in writing. 

As far as losing elements with video, I think it’s important to recognize the loss of imagination with this medium. When we read, our minds create the setting, partly on our own terms, and adds a sense of magic to the words we read on the page. Personally, I wouldn’t chalk this up to a complete loss. Video does so many things that words can’t — actively showing facial expression and body language, and giving us a true sense of the setting the author aims to portray. 

Even something as simple as the drawings accompanying Brosh’s Adventures in Depression allow us to truly see what the author envisions when they write about heavier topics, and in most cases can help us empathize with them more.