Content Creators: Lillian Khanna Of Khanna House Studios On 5 Things You Need to Make Compelling and Powerful Videos
An Interview With Guernslye Honoré
A Compelling Take Away — Make your audience feel something or better yet — multiple things. But always make sure that you end your video with a clear emotion and/or motif.
In today’s digital realm, videos are more than just visuals; they’re stories that captivate, resonate, and leave an indelible mark on viewers. From journalism and activism to education and marketing, video content has emerged as an indispensable medium that engages audiences like no other. But what does it take to create compelling, resonant videos in an age where nearly everyone has a camera in their pocket? Crafting a powerful video involves more than just technical skill; it demands an understanding of storytelling, the subtlety of editing, the emotional impact of sound, and an innate ability to connect with an audience. In this interview series, we are talking to content creators, video editors, sound designers, and digital storytellers to share the “5 Things You Need to Make Compelling and Powerful Videos.” As a part of this series, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lillian Khanna.
Lillian Khanna has been working in the field of Media Production/Content Creation for almost a decade, starting her first company at the age of 14.
As studio manager of Khanna House Studios — Wellington, Florida’s first and only podcasting/vlogcasting studio and event space — she oversees the photography, videography and podcasting needs of clients as varied as non-profit organizations to the multi-billion dollar equestrian industry.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up? Can you share some formative experiences from your upbringing that shaped your creative instincts?
I grew up around a lot of family and as a dedicated volunteer, I heard a lot about the good work non-profits in the area were doing and their struggle to make their mission and successes known.
When I was 11, I auditioned for the Bak Middle School of the Arts without really knowing what direction it would take my life in and it was there that I fell in love with production and live tv. This was when I first became a video storyteller which continued throughout high school and into college when I started working for NPR.
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I knew I wanted to do this type of work after my exposure to it in middle school and have been lucky enough to serve on nonprofit boards and committees, advising them on how to better expand their reach and amplify their impact via media.
My biggest job came in 2020 when I was in charge of putting on the annual gala for the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club.
A gala that was held completely virtually due to the COVID lockdown.
This meant that I was in charge of curating all pre-recorded segments, creating motion and still graphics, formatting a detailed rundown, cueing and calling all the shots. All of this happened from a Macbook sitting on my kitchen counter.
Logistical details and a link to the livestream can be found below:
Rundown: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19M_TGV6MzOrHAixVe2ML34bTWvpyUnO2jDjsuZsjapk/edit?usp=sharing
Link to livestream: https://fb.watch/sE3wRIBdNr/
Who or what were your early influences in the field of video creation or storytelling
I really loved documentary style storytelling. Watching stories of lives changing unfold compelled me and the excitement of a live production just added fuel to that fire.
I don’t really have an influence or influencer that helped to shape this. I’m the first in my family to pursue something like this. My father always had DSLR cameras laying around and I shot my first three years worth of video on a Nikon D750 which is very limiting considering the other “video” options for gear out there.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Can I tell two?
I was flown out to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to stay with the Amish and conduct an exclusive interview, focusing on their lifestyle choice to have limited interaction with technology.
While at NPR, I did storm coverage for Hurricane Idalia and was camera operator for regional briefings out of Tallahassee in the Emergency Operations Center. From there, I am continually improving my skills both as a technical director and an interviewer.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Oh man — forgetting SD cards and not wearing headphones to monitor audio. I was absolutely not laughing when it initially happened but it was a tough learning experience and I ensured that it never happened again. You really do learn from your mistakes because of the way they make you feel.
You have such impressive work. What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? Where do you see yourself heading from here?
I recently received a call about possibly technical directing for the Florida Panthers at a screen installation on Ft. Lauderdale Beach and staffing the live camera operators with my team members so my fingers are crossed and Go Panthers!
I see myself continuing to work as a technical director and use these skills to expand the working operations of Khanna House Studios.
Okay, let’s now move to the main part of our interview. Can you help articulate why video is such an important media form to master today?
We are evolving in the way we consume information. From reading the newspaper to reading short blogs summarizing the main points to liking pictures on Facebook and Instagram to now consuming entire stories in an average of 45 seconds.
Your video content is essentially an elevator pitch of your perspective.
What are a few of the most common mistakes you have seen people make in their videos?
Not exploring new styles of content creation. You can follow the trends with the hope of becoming viral or you could find your own style and create the genre that becomes viral.
What do you think sets apart a great video from a good one?
Build a dynamic video.
A good video could be done with good footage and music but a great video builds something that transports your viewer into it.
Every stylistic element that you use continues to build your story so make sure to write down your thoughts, begin to storyboard by identifying your key shots, color grade your footage, take time picking out the perfect soundtrack and play around with sound design.
What are your “5 Things You Need to Make Compelling and Powerful Videos” and why?
1 . Know Your Audience — If you know who you are targeting, you can craft your messaging in a much more compelling and cohesive way.
2 . Shot Variation — We look at the world every day through our eyes and with a somewhat limited perspective. Show people perspectives they would have never considered before such as bird’s eye shots, worm’s eye shots, dutch tilts, POV (point of view) shots.
3 . Sound Design — Try listening to TV in silence. I bet you won’t listen for longer than a few minutes. Life is made up of ambient sounds — the music of the radio, the chirping of the birds, the sighs of people we have made upset. That is what life is all about and video is an editable extension of life. Make your videos dynamic.
4 . A Hook/Establishing Shot — If your viewer isn’t committed to sitting and watching your video and they are finding it randomly on social media, there has to be something to grab their attention. Whether it’s an odd angle or an extreme close up of a subject that appears in your video, you need something that will grab their attention.
5 . A Compelling Take Away — Make your audience feel something or better yet — multiple things. But always make sure that you end your video with a clear emotion and/or motif.
What are your favorite software, or online tools you use to make amazing videos?
The cost of gear is expensive so I am all for cutting costs where you can. DaVinci Resolve and CapCut are great programs for editing. Also, if you don’t have the funds to buy gear yet then rent the gear you want.
Are there any hidden gems or underutilized features you’d recommend?
DaVinci is a powerhouse for color grading.
You can also change your interface to reflect Final Cut Pro or Premiere to make the transition a little easier if you are moving away from your traditional platform.
If you’re just starting out, begin by creating an interface that works best for your flow.
CapCut is incredible at captioning videos for free and for all my South Florida creators, AVC Photo & Video Specialty Store is the best.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
I would start a movement of authenticity.
For the creators who are experiencing burnout, take a break.
For the creators who are feeling the imposter syndrome, know that you were put in that position for a reason and you deserve to be there.
Start using “I am” statement and move away from “I like”. I am a creative, not I like to create. This isn’t a hobby anymore.
Are you on social media? How can our readers follow you online?
I am! You can find my studio on all platforms @khannahousestudios
This was so informative, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
About the interviewer: Guernslye Honoré, affectionately known as “Gee-Gee”, is an amalgamation of creativity, vision, and endless enthusiasm. She has elegantly twined the worlds of writing, acting, and digital marketing into an inspiring tapestry of achievement. As the creative genius at the heart of Esma Marketing & Publishing, she leads her team to unprecedented heights with her comprehensive understanding of the industry and her innate flair for innovation. Her boundless passion and sense of purpose radiate from every endeavor she undertakes, turning ideas into reality and creating a realm of infinite possibilities. A true dynamo, Gee-Gee’s name has become synonymous with inspirational leadership and the art of creating success.
