Explanation on why “Counting Escalator Steps” by Wes Peden is my favourite juggling video.
It starts with a bright light and him walking away from the camera. A glimpse of his notebook makes it clear the tricks are pre-planned and thought out. Within 11 seconds there is some juggling. Quick cuts of zoomed in juggling and lights means you’re not sure what’s happening nor where this video is going. For me that made it intriguing.
Then, bam, juggling. Lovely contrasting background with clear props. Repeated patterns with different camera angles to emphasise the different parts of each sequence. The lighting ADDS to the performance as it: makes the periphery of the shot more interesting, adds a shadow mirroring his actions and makes the juggling clear.
Cut to a section of spoken words. It’s not very clear why you are hearing these words at this point of the video but it does create a gap to breathe after 30 seconds of near constant tricks. I think it improves the pace of the video.
More juggling and a brief shot of him sitting. I like that this was included as, to me, it shows this video took time and effort to make. The cuts in time to the music and short clips of silliness make it FUN. I’ve watched quite a few videos and normally I can work out nearly exactly what pattern they are juggling nearly instantly but with the zoom and occasional lack of repetition I can’t always do that with his video. I just have a “things are happening” view of the juggling and I like that. It’s just fun.
Again the lighting is choreographed and adds to the video. It makes the running of patterns more interesting. Same with the shadows. Non-stop, hard, interesting, and well filmed tricks for a few minutes.
Music slows, cut to voice explaining why a technique in another field (writing) is so strong. It shows care of presentation, interest in learning how to create art, how to tell stories, how to entertain. All arcing back to the main theme, fun.
The music returns in time with the club hitting the well-lit wall. This perfectly jumps us back into the juggling video. 2 minutes of constant “things are happening” patterns that are fresh, technical and interesting.
Music slows, more frequent silliness; music speeds up and the video edits match. Slow music and after a long pause he does one last “something happened but I’m not sure what exactly” move showing his consistency. He then walks towards the camera which indicates it’s over and we’re left with just a light. Beautiful cyclic symmetry from the opening shot of a light and him walking away from the camera.
And that is why it is my favourite. What’s your favourite video and why?
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