Making your own videos

[rusnak]

So many bad YouTube videos out there I wanted to vent, but also see if I can offer some observations to help people make their own amateur video better and more watchable.

1. The first thing is to get to the effing point of the video quickly. By quickly, I mean within the first 10 seconds. Too many videos just blather on and on like a freaking commercial. Get to the point, show the end result. Jump to the conclusion. If it's a How To video, then show the main point at the very beginning. No one really cares to hear your story of War and Peace, how you got it, your painful childhood, and on and on.

2. Use a Tripod. There, I said it. Don't ask why, just do it.

3. Do not use a cellphone unless that is all you have. If it is, then still use a tripod. And don't record video vertically.

4. Practice before you publish. That may mean re-doing the video. For all that is decent, don't publish crap videos. There are way too many out there already. Make sure that it is curt, and to the point.

5. You may think you need titles and music, but you don't. The title of the file will appear in YouTube, or whatever. You can skip the commercial. Everyone else will when they watch it.

6. End with the beginning. If people watched the whole video, that is the time to add your parenthetical comments, your pictures of summer vacation, your boo boo bandaged thumb or what have you.

7. Watch great videos. Note how the presenter knows already what he's going to say in advance. There is a script, believe me. No time is wasted, and it flows. Same with editing. Use copious amounts of fast forward and editing. Don't waste people's time or people like me will just hit the "back" button and move on.

[HardDrive]

8. Kitties look better on camera shaved.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by rusnak

SAnd don't record video vertically.

I'm afraid that one has left the barn already. Shooting video in vertical format is so ubiquitous that there is a TV commercial shot that way. Yes, people who know better are doing it on purpose.

I agree with every one of your points. People who think we have the time or desire to listen to them babble before getting to the point are mistaken. We click off.

[livi]

Now you tell me. Would have been excellent to know Before I shot those 100+ videos of DocFluffer.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

8. Kitties look better on camera shaved.

I agree. The look better shaved face to uh, well, nevermind.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

8. Kitties look better on camera shaved.

Oh, you want to have critical remarks on your comments section? Try that on a period piece with tube socks, terrycloth shorts, and roller skates. You can not very well shave the kitty then. I am of course, assuming that you are the director and not the uh, talent.

[RANDY P]

9) It's not rape if it's consensual AND documented. Just make sure you get authorization and disclaimers before starting filming.

[sand_man]

I can't stand race or car related videos that someone felt the need to ruin with their favorite song!!!! UGH!!! Please, I actually want to hear the sound of race cars, not your favorite, obscure techno!!!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Drives me crazy when the presenter of an instructional video makes mistakes during his video as if he never had done it before, and didn't have the "funding" or energy to do a retake.

For example "NOW... pull the washing machine away from the wall."
(washing machine gets hung up on water supply lines), and then the "what the ?!?!?oh yeah... make sure to disconnect the power and hot/cold water lines before you pull it away" comment.

[wdfifteen]

How about the how-to videos that show a guy taking something apart, it has 8 screws and they show every turn of the screwdriver on every screw.
Just point out the screws, show the guy giving one a turn or two, and move on. We get it.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

How about the how-to videos that show a guy taking something apart, it has 8 screws and they show every turn of the screwdriver on every screw.
Just point out the screws, show the guy giving one a turn or two, and move on. We get it.

.
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Or unwrapping something...do it off camera so we don't have to suffer through your fumbling & bumbling. We all know how to take spark plugs out of their boxes.
I like it when they fast forward through the obvious & mundane.
.
And keep your kids away...no matter how cute you think they are.
Ugh!!!

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

How about the how-to videos that show a guy taking something apart, it has 8 screws and they show every turn of the screwdriver on every screw.
Just point out the screws, show the guy giving one a turn or two, and move on. We get it.

Exactly! :::grrrrr:::

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by Don Ro

And keep your kids away...no matter how cute you think they are. Ugh!!!

So kitties are okay but kids are taboo? What a load of crap! Kids have just as much right ... oh, wait, I just got it.

[LakeCleElum]

Be sure go get a Model Release............

[Amail]

I've binged a bunch of Casey Neistat. His editing is razor sharp - he actually cuts away from a scene in mid-sentence because you know what he's going to say.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84WIaK3bl_s?t=2m28s

[wdfifteen]

Boltr is my go-to fun and information video star.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTqMG…

[rusnak]

pcardude, in my own opinion, making videos is a lot like writing. Think about what you want to say, and who is your audience, and keep it concise and focused. It should flow. Less is more, so don't be afraid to edit.

Lately I have been watching DIY videos about Caymans. Cars+Raf is good. And this guy named Burner is funny. For a laugh, check out "Glove and Boots" on Youtube.

[rusnak]

Think in terms of information, not presentation. Otherwise your videos will end up feeling like a Zak Snyder film.

[rusnak]

Also, I enjoy "Smarter Every Day", and an entertaining guy who reviews military MREs. Goes by Steve1989. Strangely compelling to watch.

[Charles Freeborn]

Already shared by others - Clickspring - the clock making guy has outstanding videos.
This guy is good too for a DIY home shop:
https://www.youtube.com/user/GrunblauBMO/videos

I'm working on my teaching channel too - very little on it yet, but currently working on a rather interesting set of methods. Should be up in a few days:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKiPgd_YAfsz5_yT7aEiZCw