Story is King: Why Content Matters Most

Even When the Lens Wobbles, a Story is King

Let’s talk about something every content creator, filmmaker, marketer, and guy-with-a-GoPro-at-a-birthday-party needs to remember: story is king. Not “camera settings are king.” Not “flawless lighting is king.” Not even “look, I rented a drone!” is king. Story. Is. King.

Need proof? Let’s rewind to the ‘90s. Shoulder pads were wide, phones had cords, and a little show called Seinfeld redefined what it meant to be a sitcom.

Now, here’s the thing about Seinfeld (besides George’s hairline being the most consistent plot arc). If you actually go back and watch many scenes—especially early seasons—you’ll notice something peculiar:

They were out of focus.

Not like, “Oops, the depth of field got away from us.” More like, “Did the cameraman fall asleep or just sneeze during the take?”

Elaine would be telling a story about being mistaken for a prostitute, Kramer would be sliding into Jerry’s apartment like a caffeinated mongoose, and meanwhile, the entire shot looked like someone smeared Vaseline on the lens.

But did anyone care? Nope. Because we were too busy laughing. Why?

Because the story was everything.

You Can’t Auto-Focus a Bad Script

You can have the most glorious 8K resolution, shoot on a camera that costs more than a used Porsche, and have a color grade so rich it makes Wes Anderson look like he works at Office Depot… but if your story is boring? You’re just filming a very expensive nap.

Meanwhile, Seinfeld gave us scenes where you couldn’t always see the detail in Jerry’s sneakers—but you absolutely felt the panic of him double-dipping a chip or pretending to care about a girlfriend’s furniture.

Focus Is Optional, Story Isn’t

Think about it. The entire show was famously described as “a show about nothing.” But that “nothing” was actually brilliant commentary on everyday absurdities: waiting in line, dating disasters, losing your car in a parking garage. It was all masterfully written and timed.

No one yelled, “Wait! Was George slightly blurry in that shot?”

Because George’s existential meltdown over a muffin top had us glued to the screen—even if the camera wasn’t.

What Seinfeld Teaches Modern Creators

Whether you’re making a corporate video, a TikTok, or a full-on documentary about why your dog barks at ceiling fans, here’s what Seinfeld taught us:

A crisp shot won’t save a weak narrative.
But a powerful story can survive a technical hiccup—or ten.
If your story makes people feel something, they’ll forgive the soft focus. (Unless you’re filming surgery. Then… maybe refocus.)

So the next time you’re panicking because your b-roll isn’t buttery smooth or your interview had a slight autofocus hiccup, take a breath. Then ask yourself:

Did I tell a great story?

Because at the end of the day, story is king. Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer may have looked like ghosts in half their scenes, but their tales? Crystal clear.

And if you still don’t believe me—try watching a visually stunning video with no plot. You’ll find yourself rooting for the buffering wheel.