Abstract: How do you communicate the problem of quantum gravity, a breakthrough in algebraic geometry, or the dynamics of evolutionary trade-offs to a broad audience — without compromising intellectual depth? At Quanta Magazine, narrative is more than a vehicle for engagement; it’s a model for making complexity legible. This talk will explore how we harness the power of cinematic storytelling and visual immersion to craft narrative science videos that operate not as simplifications, but as translations — preserving theoretical integrity while rendering abstract research intuitive, visual, and resonant. I’ll offer a behind-the-scenes look at our editorial methodology, from identifying tension-rich questions in basic research to treating concepts as protagonists and theories as plot lines. With examples from our most ambitious videos, we’ll examine how design/animation, metaphor, and “spoken writing” can encode layered meaning. We'll explore how we construct through-lines across disciplines, and why even the subtlest narrative cues can shape audience understanding. This presentation will explore how scientists can expand the reach of their work, sharpen their explanatory and journalistic communication tools, and reflect on the unique epistemic power of storytelling in the video format. At its best, explanatory video journalism doesn’t dilute science — it invites the world into its beauty.
Speaker
Emily Buder