What is "walk and talk"
Walk and talk is a cinematic technique in which characters do these actions simultaneously. This can be a dialogue between two or more characters or a monologue by one person. The technique adds dynamism to a scene, holds the viewer's attention, and allows information to be conveyed against the backdrop of changes in the setting or action.
The technique was created as a natural way to enliven dialogue, which in classical cinema was often static. The first examples were experiments in Hollywood films, where directors sought to add realism and energy to scenes.
The invention of the Steadicam in the 1970s made it possible to create smooth scenes with a moving camera. One of the first striking examples of the use of walk and talk was the film "Rocky" (1976), where the camera followed the movement of the characters.
What are the "walk and talk" effects
This technique has a significant impact on the storytelling in movies, TV series, vlogs, and other video projects. The main effects include the following:
- Creating dynamism and energy. Having characters move around in a frame adds a sense of activity, which helps convey urgency, chaos, or purpose.
- Emotional intimacy. A camera that moves with the characters creates the impression that the viewer is walking alongside them, participating in their conversation. This makes the viewer feel involved in the story, as if they are present in the moment rather than just watching from the sidelines.
- Saving time in storytelling. You can show changes in location, characters interacting with the environment, or performing other tasks at the same time as the dialogue. This approach speeds up the development of events.
- Strengthening the visual context. The background through which characters move can complement their words or create contrast, revealing more about the situation or setting. This makes the narrative richer as the viewer gains additional information about the story world.
Overall, walk and talk helps maintain attention, develop characters, and enhance emotional impact. It's especially useful for long dialogues, complex explanations, or to convey the energy and emotional tension of a scene.
Why walk and talk in vlogs
Due to the increased engagement of viewers, this technique is also widely used in vlogs. For lifestyle vloggers, such as Emma Chamberlain, walking makes the content look more lively and natural, and they can share their thoughts and feelings while being in a real environment.
Walking and talking also help to show the surroundings, which is useful for travel vloggers like Kara and Nate. It's a great way to show interesting places, such as city streets, nature, events or everyday life. Also, camera movement makes the shots more dynamic and helps to avoid monotony.
This technique also emphasizes the conversational style. It helps to build a sense of personal connection with the audience, making the conversation casual and intimate, and it gives the feeling that the viewer is "walking" along with the vlogger. Plus, this format often appears less prepared and formal, which allows for improvisation.
How to walk and talk
To successfully use this technique, it's important to consider several parameters. For example, if there's another person, make sure that they are comfortable in front of the camera. Choose people who feel natural to avoid awkwardness. It's good if they understand the topic of discussion to avoid pauses or confusion.
Also, choose locations that look lively but not too noisy (parks, quiet streets, etc.). Avoid windy or noisy places unless you have the right equipment to record sound.
To record, use a smartphone with optical stabilization or a camera that supports stabilizers. For smoother shots, you can use a gimbal. And for high-quality sound recording, a lavalier microphone or recorder will come in handy; it's important that the microphone is close to the sound source.
When shooting, use different angles, such as changing the camera position or adding dynamic transitions. Shoot while moving slowly and move smoothly so that the camera has time to adapt.
After the filming is over, use a video editor to polish up your clip. Consider adding subtitles if the sound is not perfect to help keep the viewers' attention. To make the video even more interesting, you can also shoot cutaways that you can insert at the right moments.
FAQs
What is the "walk and talk" technique?
It is a video filming technique in which characters walk while simultaneously delivering a dialogue or monologue. This technique is used to add dynamics to a scene and avoid a static presentation of information.
What kind of vlogs benefit most from "walk and talk"?
It is suitable for different types of vlogs where dynamics, natural storytelling, and interaction with the environment play an important role. These can be niches of travel, lifestyle, interviews, or educational videos.
How to avoid shaky footage when walking?
Pre-filming, make sure to use stabilization tools or devices with built-in optical or electronic stabilization. During post-production, you can use editing software to apply stabilization effects if the shakiness is not too harsh.
Conclusion
Walk and talk is an interesting tool for bringing video stories to life and creating an emotional connection with the viewer. It helps create dynamic and natural storytelling, combining effective delivery of information with entertaining visuals.