Guides
June 14, 20267 min readChoosing the right format for your topic
Documentary, explainer, or top ten? A short guide to matching a topic with the pacing that suits it best.
Start with the viewer's question
A documentary format works when the story is about change, people, or a sequence of events. An explainer is stronger when the viewer needs a clear mental model. A list works when comparison is the point.
Format is more than a skin
Each format changes the order of information, the rhythm of the narration, and the way visuals are introduced. Choosing it early gives the pipeline a useful editorial constraint.
When in doubt, keep it simple
A clear structure is more valuable than a clever one. If the premise fits more than one format, choose the structure that lets the evidence arrive with the least friction.