[UnionPacific]

Ok, second video. Hope I had no typos this time. Enjoy!
http://tinyurl.com/muyps57

 

[Whitebread117]

Alright so you may not like this post but I am truly trying to help by offering constructive criticism.

I'm not going to touch content because not every video can be awesome sunsets and excitement. These are just format/production quality comments.

Resolution- I watched on my android with Chrome browser and had no option to change quality, which looked like 360p. Started to type this section and decided to go back and watch through YouTube ap and had HD options. Don't know if this is anything you have control over or not, but normally I can adjust resolution from my browser so maybe something to look in to. I mention it because if I can't watch a newly posted video in HD then I'm writing off the poster as an amateur not worth the time. 4k is on the way, 1080p is the new SD. Again maybe you have no control over that but worth looking into as it affects your video and not any of the others I watch via chrome.

Title/intro: music no good, ditch it (and I'm a big fan of most electronica- Deadmau5 is pop and Ronald Jenkees and Ratatat are superstars imo). Essentially modern elevator music that does nothing to improve your video or provide a segway into your content. Text animations are straight 80s B-roll. If you want a title, throw it up in a clean San serif font and dissolve straight to content. Didn't notice any spelling or grammar issues so positive there.

Bike scene- lighting ruins it, and I'm a bike fanatic. You'd be hard pressed to find a bigger bike nut than me and i'm even a big fan of your bike specifically (though I maintain that it is NOT fast and is an overweight pig on anything rougher than a dirt road). But a guy talking and stumbling around in the dark as your intro content is snooze city and I'm out after 5 seconds. Get some fill light (house floodlights, battery lantern, mini flashlight, ANYTHING) so we can see whats going on and its much better. Short and sweet, provides a frame of reference for what comes next, which is a good thing.

Voiceover- excellent call, execution needs work. When shooting video, concentrate on the content/quality of the shot not the audio explanation. That can be added later no prob (like you did). However when you add it later it has to be smooth flowing and personable as if you were talking to me face to face with no camera. You come across as stilted, uncomfortable, and unrehearsed. Retake the voiceover until it sounds 110% relaxed and natural, even if it takes multiple tries (I know it isn't easy).

Linda- Linda talks to the camera like you should be talking to the camera. Its because she's not talking to your camera, shes talking to you the person. You need to imitate her and talk to your (not real) buddy standing next to the camera rather than talking to the camera to sound natural. Its something everyone struggles with but separates the really good from all the rest. The cats were perfect and you couldn't script that worked out well. Consider 2 cameras for that type of shot- wide angle on tripod to capture what you showed already, and a handheld zoomed in to capture the details of her work- she gave you very good content that is flattened a bit by no detail. Overall her part was best of video.

Not an overall positive post I know, and I can't say I liked the video as a whole. But its an improvement and you're willing to keep posting despite the overall backlash last time and you're making improvements, and I think both are good things.

I subscribed to your channel to see where this goes- and I'm sending you my personal email via pm. I figure if/when I start posting my own you should be notified so you can comment- its only fair.

 

[tdw]

Whitebread pretty much nails it, indeed that write up actually made me go back and watch the whole thing. I confess first time through I didn't get past the cheesy graphic and the blacked out bike bit. Makes no sense leaving that in, I confess I figured if the first 30 seconds was rubbish then why waste time with the rest.

The Sail/Cat/Dog lady was an interesting enough segment but man you still have an awful long way to go if you expect to build up an audience not to mention one that you hope will shell out some coin.

 

[UnionPacific]

The upload was in 1080P, as I don't own a camera of less then 1080P in quality.
4K is in our distant future, I will be sure to have the gopro5 when it comes out in a few years, (waiting for 60FPS 4K) I have not found a 4K camera I like either. The other issue is internet speed. This 800MB video took me about 12 hours to upload on a marina connection, 4K would take DAYS. Processing time is another biggie. This 7min 1080P video took me 45min to render for an internet 1080P format. I am DOWNGRADING my PC to a smaller form factor, (mac mini?) and 4K will take forever to render when my videos are 15-20min long.

My editing is a work in progress, as is my self recording. If you can think well after 4 hours of sleep, you can take the 4 hour bike trip at 3AM for me

The music will change on each video. I didn't find anything good enough yet to use each time, so I just went with something fun for the 2min beginning.

My bike: I bought her brand new, and spent a few years researching the exact bike I wanted. I had options ranging from the 450X to the HP2. My requirement was the ability to carry luggage(rulled out the 450), comfortable on the road, and able to do a dirt single track with ease. Out of the 8000 miles I have driven her I have spent 4-500 on the dirt. I would say its the right bike for the road. My last requirement was I should be able to pick it up without help. I got the 650(800) because it ticked all the boxes I needed. I ruled out the kawi 650 early because it is a poj.

Linda was great. It was her first video, and she was very nervous. I calmed her down by telling her I had been recording about 5 min before she asked if I was recording. My directing, and my videotography are spot on. I fall short on recording myself and voice over work. I posted on a forum for input. I don't take your post as insulting or attacking.

Thank you for the sub. My next video will be me recording myself again. Hopefully is will not be as boring as my diesel video series. No promises.

FYI I don't think you noticed that I used two angles on Linda. The integration is the part of the video I am most proud of on a personal note.

 

[UnionPacific]

Whitebread pretty much nails it, indeed that write up actually made me go back and watch the whole thing. I confess first time through I didn't get past the cheesy graphic and the blacked out bike bit. Makes no sense leaving that in, I confess I figured if the first 30 seconds was rubbish then why waste time with the rest.

The Sail/Cat/Dog lady was an interesting enough segment but man you still have an awful long way to go if you expect to build up an audience not to mention one that you hope will shell out some coin.

Thank you. I will not consider my quality great until I call my work season 1.
In the mean time enjoy season 0. Season 0 is basically me doing SOMETHING, learning, experimenting, and maybe someone can enjoy it too. I have asked Linda to do some more when she is ready, and helped her start her facebook page. She is a great person, loves animals, and on the first sail repair job she did she got it done 60% under budget. I was so pleasantly surprised I gave her a internet presence, and helped her setup a facebook page. I can only hope her sail loft that charges only $75 an hour gets good exposure, and she can gain more customers.

 

[tdw]

Thank you. I will not consider my quality great until I call my work season 1.
In the mean time enjoy season 0. Season 0 is basically me doing SOMETHING, learning, experimenting, and maybe someone can enjoy it too. I have asked Linda to do some more when she is ready, and helped her start her facebook page. She is a great person, loves animals, and on the first sail repair job she did she got it done 60% under budget. I was so pleasantly surprised I gave her a internet presence, and helped her setup a facebook page. I can only hope her sail loft that charges only $75 an hour gets good exposure, and she can gain more customers.

Well that makes sense, something is better than nothing after all. Credit to you for giving Linda exposure.

 

[Whitebread117]

WTF?

1. Feel free to not take advice and continue down the road of mediocrity for your sailing videos.

2. The link to the diesel video you posted is perfect example of what to do right. If you care what I think apply tha video to sailing. You're well informed on the topic, you offer insightful comments, and most importantly you come across as a guy explaining things to his buddy rather than a guy trying to apply a template of "get a bit of cash to explain sailing". I will admit I only watched 2/3 of video as it didn't really apply to my situation, but it's honest and real and exponentially better than the cruising overviews you've done(I realize its zero point two). More of that and you might retain an audience for the long term.

 

[UnionPacific]

Hmmm, food for thought I guess, Honestly I find the old diesel videos as boring, and only good as a how-to. Will have to think on this a bit.

 

[Whitebread117]

The diesel video you linked popped up as an informative non-professional media guy's take on that topic.

Not a professional entertainer's view but that's OK because that wasn't the goal of the video. Had the focus been a bit better (face was blurry for most) that would have been a very good model for what to do right. Talk in your natural voice about things you know and understand. If you come across as the interesting guy next door with a novel point of view you will find an audience

 

[UnionPacific]

Video 3

Let the dislikes begin!

 

[UnionPacific]

Did a video of the flight I did over St Augustine. First time trying out the head mount, so its not a great video.