@gobywalnut "The client wanted a masterpiece..."
Zach Burandt of @chiselnwood took on the challenge using a 20 foot Oregon Black Walnut slab from Buena Vista, OR, a custom 18.4 degree router bit, and his Ticonderoga #2 pencil.
"I'm proud of how honest the work was... More than any other piece I've made, this one had a lot of me invested in it as it was a primary part of my life for 3-4 months."
Read more about Zach's build on his page @chiselnwood or our blog through the link in bio
The creator narrates the story of sourcing two massive, historic Oregon black walnut trees and the unexpected, exceptional quality of the wood slabs they produced. The video follows the entire journey of the wood: being cut from the log, moved by heavy machinery, milled at a sawmill, and cleaned to reveal its unique grain. The narrative then shifts to a woodworker, Zach, who receives the slabs to create a masterpiece, detailing his respectful process of studying the wood before beginning his craft, and showing the final stages of him shaping and finishing the piece.
We were not prepared for how exceptional the slabs from these two historic Oregon black walnut trees from Buena Vista would be.
Visual hook · 65%
A low-angle shot of a massive, mossy log being cut by a person with a large chainsaw, creating a spray of sawdust. The immense scale of the log and the dynamic action of cutting immediately grab attention.
[06]
Hook template
Steal this for your own video
A low-angle shot of [person or machine] actively [dramatic physical action] on a [massive or impressive object], with [byproduct of the action] flying through the frame.
— A low-angle shot of a welder actively torching through a massive steel beam, with sparks cascading through the frame.
— A low-angle shot of a chef actively splitting a whole roasted pig on a giant butcher block, with steam billowing through the frame.
— A low-angle shot of a lumberjack actively splitting a towering granite boulder with a hydraulic press, with shards of rock exploding through the frame.
[07]
Hook and payoff
The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back
Hook
Begin with a statement of awe or surprise about the raw material, immediately establishing its exceptional value and rarity.
Payoff
Conclude not with a full reveal of the final product, but by highlighting a single, exquisite detail of the craftsmanship. This confirms the creator's mastery and honors the process over the outcome, leaving the audience satisfied yet intrigued.
[08]
Narrative framework
The structural pattern this video runs on
Framework
The Craftsman's Vow
The narrative elevates a creation process by focusing on the creator's deep, philosophical connection to their rare or unique source material, making the journey more compelling than the final product.
1
The Mythic Origin
Detail the unique and scarce origins of the core material, building its perceived value and significance through claims of exclusivity and historical importance.
2
The Noble Quest
Introduce an external challenge or client request that sets an extremely high bar for the project, framing it as the creation of a 'masterpiece'.
3
The Moment of Doubt
Introduce a brief, low-stakes conflict that suggests the project might fail, creating narrative tension before a quick resolution that re-engages the viewer.
4
The Philosophical Pivot
Shift the focus from the physical task to the creator's internal philosophy, process, or emotional connection to the material. This beat provides the story's emotional core and depth.
5
The Ritual of Creation
Visually demonstrate the creator's philosophy in action through a montage of the meticulous, respectful, and skillful process of transforming the material.
Themes
Craftsmanship
Nature
Patience
Artisanry
Legacy
Techniques
Voiceover storytelling
Drone videography
Process documentation
Montage
Post caption
"The client wanted a masterpiece..."
Zach Burandt of @chiselnwood took on the challenge using a 20 foot Oregon Black Walnut slab from Buena Vista, OR, a custom 18.4 degree router bit, and his Ticonderoga #2 pencil.
"I'm proud of how honest the work was... More than any other piece I've made, this one had a lot of me invested in it as it was a primary part of my life for 3-4 months."
Read more about Zach's build on his page @chiselnwood or our blog through the link in bio
Text overlays
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NOT
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FOR HOW
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THE SLABS
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HISTORIC
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OREGON
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TREES
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VISTA
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PILLOWY
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FIGURE
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ENTIRE
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SLABS
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AND WE
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SPECIAL
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ONLY COME
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EVERY FEW
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ARE ONLY
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WORLD.
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EMAIL
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AND HIS
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MASTERPIECE,
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WHAT
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PITCH.
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HEARING
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THE DEAL
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FEW DAYS
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EMAIL
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GET ON A
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WE SENT
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A UNIT OF
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BASE.
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PROCESS
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ONCE HE
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HE'LL LAY
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BENCH AND
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IT FOR AN
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IT'S EASY
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MORE THAN
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MATERIAL
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TO STILL
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PROCESS
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SLOW DOWN
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RECALIBRATE
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APPRECIATE
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THE TREE,
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ITS
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OPPORTUNITY
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LIFE IN A
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THE JOINERY
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BASE IS
Transcript
We were not prepared for how exceptional the slabs from these two historic Oregon black walnut trees from Buena Vista would be. The pillowy wavy figure that covered the entire series of slabs blew us away, and we knew these were special pieces. They're the kind that only come around every few years and are only available in this part of the world. When we got an email from Zach Burrant with Chisel and Wood and his client looking for a masterpiece, we knew what series to pitch. After not hearing from Zach, we thought the deal was dead. Until a few days later, we got an email asking to get on a call. We sent him two slabs and a unit of lumber for the base. This part of Zach's process hit me deep. He said once he gets the slab, he'll lay it on the bench and sit and look at it for an hour or two. He said it's easy to say wood is more than just material, but it's also easy to still treat it that way. This process allows tier to slow down and recalibrate to appreciate the inner beauty of the tree, its journey, and the opportunity to bring it to life in a new way. The joinery at the base is incredible.
