The trained eye

It's Boxing Day, and I'm noticing that no matter what you celebrate (or don't), you hardworking folks can't stay off your email or LinkedIn.

I want to talk to you about the trained eye. And I might do it in a slightly weird way, but hey, it's Boxing Day!

First things first, let's address this—I'm a filmmaker by trade, so I'll admit, I'm a bit of a snob. I can typically discern the lenses, camera, or lighting being used just by sight. I know your setup, how you cut, where you cut, and why. I can differentiate between what's real and what's not. For the longest time, my entire focus was on making these technical aspects invisible. I refined my editing process to such an extent that the manufactured elements vanished, allowing everyone to sound their most eloquent. I aimed to create setups so seamless that when I switched between cameras, it wasn't noticeable; the audience simply immersed themselves in the story.

Then came the Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather fight in 2017.

I did warn you this segue would be a bit weird.

This is my realm. I've been involved in boxing and kickboxing for a long time. I've frequented live fights endlessly—I even tied the knot in Vegas right after a UFC event. So, naturally, the idea of the biggest names from boxing and MMA clashing intrigued me. It felt like the collision of two worlds in a genuine competition.

Here's the catch: this occurred around the time when cable cutting became significant. Suddenly, everyone was churning out content to feed the masses heading online for everything. But the quality often suffered. Issues like poor lighting and dreadful sound were rampant. Endless webcasts lacked editing, featuring meandering content with perhaps a solitary vital message buried within 45 minutes of rambling.

This content production model was applied to Conor and Floyd.

And I devoured every bit of it.

Here's my point: I was intrigued. So, the production value that my trained eye always dissects became irrelevant. I simply craved hearing what Teddy Atlas had to say, even if he was almost inaudible. I needed to know Chael Sonnen's POV even though he was on a cell phone recorded through a cell phone, encoded poorly and then put on to Youtube. Didn't matter, give me more!

Am I implying that production value doesn't matter? Of course not.

What I am saying is, tell me a compelling story about something I care about, and I'll listen. Yes.

Am I suggesting that one holds far more importance in today's world, where it's increasingly easier to create content? It certainly seems that way.

Happy holidays.

As you were.

MrMcK.