Jonathan Both
Where multimedia and story meet
There I stand, wrapped in a colorful parachute—the very one I used to take a daring leap just moments before. Sometimes you have to take a leap into the unknown to move forward; to discover and try new things. That is something I have had the privilege of doing many times in my work—exploring new possibilities in the realms of video, automation, theater, screens, and video mapping. It is all about supporting stories and creating a powerful impact on the audience. Instructing, encouraging, and inspiring people—that is what I love.
Just as the parachute is multicolored, so too has my own development been over the past 20 years—spanning work at a video production company and a large church with its own dedicated theater. My experience ranges from incorporating interviews, visuals, fitting music, and graphic elements into videos, to managing lighting, sound, video screens, drama, and music for live shows—always deploying these elements to ensure the story truly shines and resonates with the audience. Below, you can see the various facets of my work and the different ways I’ve contributed to bringing wonderful stories to life.
A video is a story
Whether it involves interviews or animations, every video tells a story. It needs to be more than just visuals set to music, because you want to achieve something with the video you create. There are many styles and methods available to reach that goal—whether it is raising awareness about the impact of driving speed, or explaining the benefits of a complex software package to spark a potential user's curiosity. Video helps visualize all of this, ensuring the message comes across with greater clarity.
Several stories, one identity
A broadcaster, government agency, missionary organization, or church—each has its own unique identity. They stand for specific norms and values and pursue goals based on them. This identity can be reflected across the board—in the overall style of printed materials, websites, and the videos used for public outreach. Musical style, short intros, recognizable icons and colors, and fitting animations all contribute to how the organization is perceived. And you only get one chance to make a first impression.
The story on stage
And where are stories told better and more directly than on stage? It is one of the oldest ways to convey a story to an audience and bring it to life. The experience of live theatre remains magical; you literally see it happening right before your eyes, allowing you to become deeply immersed in the story unfolding in front of you. There is the suspense, the sense of wonder, and—time and again—that disarming humour capable of addressing even difficult subjects and opening up space for reflection. It can hold up a mirror to you: how do I actually view this?
Supported by multimedia
These stories come to life even more vividly on stage with the right multimedia support. Music, ambient sound, lighting, video screens—everything works together to fully transport the audience to the specific place and moment where the story unfolds. A sound effect or a shift in lighting can vastly amplify the tension or heighten the humor. It is an interplay of various disciplines that completes the picture and allows the story to truly resonate with the audience. It is a beautiful thing to be captivated by each other's stories in this way.