Imagine this: a French baker runs her hands over a ball of dough, feeling its texture, checking its elasticity. Her eyes scan its surface for the right rise, and she listens for the soft crackle of the crust cooling. This attention to the senses turns bread-making into art.

In the same way, great storytelling isn’t just about following a formula; it’s about engaging your audience on every sensory level. When you tap into sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, you create stories that resonate deeply and linger long after the screen fades to black.

This is the essence of the 5 Senses Approach to Storytelling—a method that transforms ordinary videos into unforgettable experiences. Let’s explore how you can use each sense to elevate your storytelling.

Sight: Show What Others Might Miss

As video creators, our visuals are the gateway to our stories. The audience’s first impression comes from what they see, so it’s essential to use intentional framing, lighting, and movement to draw them in.

In a MasterClass I watched, a French baker demonstrated her ability to see details others might overlook—like the subtle rise of dough or the texture of the crust. As video creators, we need to develop a similar eye for storytelling, spotting those fleeting moments or unique visuals that transform footage into something powerful.

Whether it’s the way light streams through a window or the small but telling gestures of a subject, these details are what elevate your story and make it unforgettable. As storytellers, we must train our eyes to spot those small but powerful moments that give meaning to a scene.

How to Use Sight:

• Establish the environment.
• Highlight interactions and actions.
• Capture emotion and detail.
• Add creative visuals that elevate the narrative.

Pro Tip: Use light and composition to guide the viewer’s eye. Look for reflections, patterns, or fleeting moments that add depth to your visuals.

Sound: Hear the Heartbeat of Your Story

Sound isn’t just background—it’s the emotional backbone of your story. I remember a project where we captured a quiet interview moment with a single line: “I didn’t know if I would see my family again.”

That soundbite, paired with a subtle, rising score and the faint echo of ambient wind, turned a simple shot into the emotional heart of the video. It’s these soundbites, timed perfectly, that resonate with your audience and transform your story.

Whether it’s dialogue, ambient noise, music, or silence, what your audience hears shapes how they feel. In my master class, I emphasize finding the soundbites that bring a story to life.

How to Use Sound:

• Use ambient sounds to set the scene.
• Layer in dialogue or narrative soundbites.
• Highlight intimate audio moments that evoke emotion.
• Add music or creative sound design for emotional depth.

Pro Tip: Pay attention to timing and pacing in your audio. A perfectly placed pause or crescendo can amplify the impact of a scene.

Touch: Feel the Texture of Your Story

Editing is where your story’s texture comes to life. It’s about crafting a rhythm that feels natural and dynamic, guiding your audience through emotional highs and lows. In my workshop, I talk about timing, pacing, and dynamics—the elements that give your story its “feel.”

How to Use Touch:

• Use Wide shots to create breathing room.
• Transition with Medium shots to propel the narrative.
• Hold on Tight shots to build intimacy.
• Sprinkle in Art shots for variety and impact.

Pro Tip: Watch your edit from start to finish without stopping. Trust your instincts—if something feels off, keep refining until the rhythm flows naturally.

Smell: Create an Atmosphere Your Audience Can Sense

While smell can’t be captured on screen, atmosphere evokes it. For example, in my workshop, I demonstrate how a simple scene of steam rising from a cup of coffee can instantly draw the audience into a moment of warmth and reflection.

Similarly, in my master course, I share how to use lighting, sound design, and even the placement of objects in a frame to create environments that feel tangible and immersive. These techniques help storytellers build a sensory experience that goes beyond visuals, engaging the audience on a deeper emotional level.

The details—like steam rising from a cup of coffee or the glow of a sunrise—pull your audience into the story’s world. In my workshop, I teach how to use Wide, Medium, Tight & Art to create immersive environments.

How to Use Smell:

• Establish the broader environment.
• Focus on interactions that build atmosphere.
• Highlight sensory-rich details.
• Use creative framing or lighting to amplify mood.

Pro Tip: Think about how light, sound, and movement work together to create an environment your audience can almost smell and feel.

Taste: Leave a Lasting Emotional Flavor

The best stories leave an emotional “aftertaste” that lingers. Whether it’s joy, curiosity, or inspiration, the emotions you evoke are what your audience remembers most. Crafting this emotional flavor requires intention at every stage of your storytelling.

How to Use Taste:

• Set the tone with context and environment.
• Show actions or interactions that build emotion.
• Focus on expressions and details that connect.
• Add creative elements to amplify the emotional arc.

Pro Tip: Before you edit, decide on the emotional takeaway you want your audience to feel. Let that goal guide your choices in visuals, sound, and pacing.

Final Thoughts

The 5 Senses Approach to Storytelling engages your audience on every level. By focusing on sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste, you create videos that resonate deeply and leave a lasting impact. This isn’t something you’ll find in a book—it’s about being intentional, curious, and connected to your craft.

The next time you pick up your camera or sit down to edit, ask yourself: How can I engage all five senses to elevate this story? The answer might just transform your video into an unforgettable experience.

If you’re ready to take your storytelling to the next level, check out my workshop and master course, Start With Story, End With Wow!.

These resources dive deeper into the 5 Senses Approach, showing you how to spot transformative details, craft immersive atmospheres, and build emotional arcs that resonate with your audience. Visit paulstevenforrest.com for more details and resources.