Think about the last video or story that left you speechless. What made it so captivating? Chances are, the creators knew exactly how to use three essential tools—Pictures, Words, and Music—to take you on an emotional journey.

Are you using these tools to their fullest potential? Let’s find out with a quick quiz:

1. Who are the 3 people who blow you away with their creative style?
2. How do they inspire you to dig deeper creatively?
3. Which influencers do you follow on social media?
4. How do their blogs, podcasts, and resources impact you?

Guess what? The people on your list all have one thing in common: they masterfully use the same three brushes to craft their work.

The 3 Brushes of Creativity

What are these brushes?

• Pictures
• Words
• Music

Each brush plays a vital role:

• Pictures grab attention and visually illustrate the story.
• Words provide structure, meaning, and emotional depth.
• Music sets the mood, builds transitions, and evokes powerful emotions.

It’s not just about using these brushes—it’s about combining them in a way that elevates the story. Pictures draw people in, Words hold their attention, and Music amplifies the emotion. Together, they transform your video into an unforgettable experience.

Great storytellers don’t just use PWM (Pictures, Words, and Music)—they master how to combine them to engage, inspire, and motivate. And they do it by taking a Story-First Approach.

Why Story Comes First

Most creators start with pictures and build their content from there. But if you want to create work that truly stands out, flip the formula: Words → Music → Pictures.

Here’s why:

• Start with Words:

• Words give your story structure—a beginning, middle, and end.
• They ensure your message is clear and compelling.

• Add Music Second:

• Music creates mood and amplifies emotion.
• It supports the story, builds transitions, and elevates key moments.

• Finish with Pictures:

• Pictures illustrate the story.
• With words and music in place, visuals naturally complement the narrative.

This approach ensures that every element serves the story—not the other way around.

A Personal Example

When I started in television, I faced a challenge: how could I make generic library music sound custom?I remember sitting in front of my editing bay, staring at endless tracks of uninspiring stock music. I needed a way to make it work for my story. That’s when I flipped the process.

I started with the words—voiceovers and interviews—building the story’s foundation first. Then, I conformed the music to the words, letting it fill gaps and add punctuation. With the words and music synced, the visuals fell into place effortlessly.

This bottom-up approach was different from anything I’d been taught, but it worked. The results felt cohesive, polished, and emotionally impactful.

A Real-Life Example

Think about your favorite movie trailer. Notice how the visuals grab your attention, the narration provides clarity, and the music builds anticipation. This is PWM in action. The combination of these elements doesn’t just tell a story—it creates an emotional journey that stays with you.

You can do the same with your videos by mastering the Story-First Approach.

Learn More in My Workshop and Master Course

Want to take your storytelling skills to the next level?

• Workshop: Secrets to Making Unscripted Videos
• Discover the insider techniques I’ve used to create award-winning unscripted content. This workshop will teach you how to engage your audience and leave a lasting impression.

• Master Course: Start With Story. End With Wow!
• Go beyond theory and learn my complete Story-First Approach. You’ll build your narrative, create captivating videos, and produce your own unscripted project step by step.

Both the workshop and master course are designed to transform your process and elevate your work.

Your Call to Action

Your story deserves to be seen, heard, and remembered. Are you ready to elevate your videos and captivate your audience? Your next great video starts with the story.

Sign up for my Secrets to Making Unscripted Videos workshop or dive deep into the Start With Story. End With Wow! master course to transform your storytelling process and create videos people can’t stop talking about.

Visit paulstevenforrest.com to take the first step today.