Ep 36 - Living With Wonder: The Art of Seeing Before You Shoot

In this episode, Paul explores a creative superpower that separates average shooters from unforgettable storytellers: the ability to see before you shoot. This is the discipline of slowing down, noticing details, absorbing emotion, and approaching every location, every character, and every moment with a sense of wonder. Because great storytellers don’t wait until the camera rolls to start telling the story—they start long before the first shot. Paul shares insights from years of directing unscripted stories, moments when wonder shifted the entire direction of a shoot, and why creators who cultivate this muscle consistently produce work with depth, heart, and intentionality. What You’ll Learn...Why wonder is one of the most underused creative tools video makers have. How to train yourself to see what others miss—story clues, emotional threads, and powerful visual moments. The difference between looking and truly seeing. Why pre-shoot curiosity is essential, especially in unscripted storytelling. How wonder helps you anticipate moments, design stronger sequences, and craft more meaningful visuals. And how this mindset moves your work from “good enough” to wow Key Takeaways...Wonder sharpens your instincts. Wonder slows you down so you can speed up creatively. Wonder helps you interpret a location, a person, and a moment before you ever hit record. Creatives who see with wonder build stories that resonate on a deeper level. If you want to elevate your work, start by elevating your awareness. If you want to go deeper into the mindset behind unforgettable storytelling, check out Paul’s book You REALLY Gotta See This! — A Book for Video Creators & Storytellers. Available on BookBaby: 👉 https://store.bookbaby.com/book/you-really-gotta-see-this If this episode resonates with you, hit subscribe, leave a comment or review, and share the episode with another creator who needs a spark of wonder today. And check the links in the description for resources to help you level up your storytelling craft. Connect with Paul at: paulstevenforrest.com