One of the greatest things about watching a documentary is seeing the world through the eyes of another. The greatest thing about making a documentary is being able to bring that enriching experience to people everywhere.
Over the last decade the documentary genre has significantly increased in popularity, with topics covering everything from a person who eats too much McDonalds (Super Size Me), to a person who feels strongly about national health care (Sicko). There are documentaries about people in wheel chairs who play contact sports (Murderball), people battling it out for the highest score in Donkey Kong (The King of Kong), soldiers battling to survive in war zones (Gunner Palace), and even one about a man and his wild birds (The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill). When taking a look at popular documentaries it becomes quite obvious that, as far as topics are concerned, anything goes. What makes the documentary memorable are the characters within the story.
When choosing your topic, consider not only the subject you'd like to explore, but the people affected by it. Every story needs a main character, someone the audience can follow throughout the movie, someone they can relate to, love or hate, but most importantly, someone they can learn from. Failure to expose the thoughts and emotions of the affected persons within your documentary will leave your movie feeling flat and your message lacking impact.
The most important factor to consider when choosing a topic for your documentary is making sure it's something you're interested in. The path to a great documentary is a bumpy one with unexpected turns and roadblocks. Often the only thing that keeps you trucking down that path is your passion for the topic and your desire to share the experience with the entire world.
Check out Documentary Truth for more ideas on choosing a topic for your documentary.
June is wedding season, and these videos will teach you how to capture those special moments on camera. Have your friends study up (and practice), and maybe you could spare the expense of a professional...
Takeaways:
- Go to the rehearsal or get to the wedding early to scout out the best shooting locations
- Make sure you have the right gear: tripod, remote mic, extension cord, extra batteries
- Shoot dramatic, low light scenes
- Shoot lots of footage and lengthy scenes
- Shoot everything - wide shots and details; the more footage you have, the better
- Use a camera with a built-in hard drive or have lots of extra media
Takeaways:
- Use multiple cameras to cover all the action
- If you're a one-man band, fix cameras in several locations, and use your main camera to rove
- Get a program in advance, so you know what will happen during the ceremony
With Creator's Corner readers in mind, the folks at Etsy recently pointed us to their series called "Process." Rather than being step-by-step instructional videos, the series brings you into artists' studios and demonstrates, in a very creative and intimate way, how crafters do what they do. Here's an example about someone who makes felted mouse booties:
Making behind-the-scenes videos like this is a great way to take your viewers inside your creative process and make them feel like they know you. Etsy also makes some helpful how-to videos, which speak to the crafter, but actually contain lots of widely applicable tips. Go to their YouTube channel for the whole selection.
Today, we announced the winners of the YouTube Nonprofit Video Awards, a celebration of the best videos from organizations in the YouTube Nonprofit Program over the past year. The four victorious videos are spotlighted on the YouTube homepage today.
Over 750 videos were submitted to this year’s awards, ranging from quirky narratives about how life on another planet relates to equal rights on Earth to honest testimonials from young dancers. In other words, these videos don’t have a lot in common, except for these central tenets which should guide anyone wanting to create compelling videos for nonprofit organizations. (If this is you, please check out our Video Volunteers program.)
1. Content is still king
First and foremost, you want to make sure that your video is appropriate for the organizational goals you want to hit. Before you start filming, sit down and figure out what you want to accomplish and whom you want to reach. A video targeting high-dollar donors may look very different from one that’s intended to train your volunteers.
Then, think about ways that you can put a creative spin on your video. Good, original content — whether it’s heartfelt and serious or light and humorous — goes a long way on YouTube. Here are a few approaches you may think about taking:
a) Tell serial stories. Engage viewers with a series of videos that tell a story around a specific theme, and keep them coming back for more. Once you've created a few episodes, put them into a playlist. This allows you to develop several video narratives targeted at particular demographics. A good example is Rainforest Action Network’s “Greenwash of the Week” series or “Oxfam’s Green Granny” series.
b) Respond to current events. Address relevant news stories by posting videos that explain your position. You can then embed them in emails to your supporters — a video message can be more effective than a text-laden email. Also, users are probably more likely to be searching for topics currently in the news and may be more likely to find your video organically through the YouTube search bar. You’ll want to be sure to tag your video with timely and relevant words.
c) Make your audience part of the video. Using annotations, you can create a “choose your own adventure”-style video, which puts the viewer in the driver’s seat and allows them to decide their video “fate.” Two great nonprofit examples of this style are “A Different Ending,” a campaign combating knife crime in the U.K., and “That’s Not Cool,” a campaign from the Ad Council about staying safe online.
2. You don’t need a Hollywood budget to succeed
Gone are the days when you need a large camera crew to make sure people watch your video; some of the most successful videos on YouTube have been created with an extremely minimal budget. Your organization can get started with video even if you only have a few hundred dollars; for example, the Flip Video Spotlight program offers nonprofits a two-for-one deal on their Flip Ultra cameras (which averages out to about $60 per camera).
Another alternative, if you’re low on staff and monetary resources, is to participate in the YouTube Video Volunteers. Each month, the program features a different issue (this month it’s climate change) and matches nonprofits who need help with video creation with passionate YouTube users who can produce content. The top three volunteer videos are put on the YouTube homepage at the end of the month. Here are the winning videos from last round, which focused on global development:
3. It’s OK to follow the leader
Here’s a piece of advice your boss will probably never give you: start watching a few popular YouTube videos every day, even if they have seemingly nothing to do with your organization. You may not see the connection between your issues and Fred, a sneezing panda or Dancing Matt, but these videos are resonating with a huge number of people on YouTube. See if you can replicate elements of these viral videos in your own organization’s content. Seriously, couldn’t Keyboard Cat be the next poster cat for animal welfare?
“The Pink Glove Dance,” arguably the most viral nonprofit video ever with over 8 million views, followed this method beautifully. The Portland St. Vincent Medical Center snatched a page right out of the J.K. Wedding playbook.
Nonprofits can also apply for the YouTube Nonprofit Program, available in U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia, which offers free premium perks like branded channels, the ability to add call-to-action overlays to videos to drive traffic to external sites, and the ability to add a Google Checkout button to your channel. These tools can add another layer of interactivity to the content you’re creating.
Howcast is out on the streets of Austin, TX, asking creative types at SXSW how to make the most of the festival, which can be an important place for filmmakers and musicians to network and find an audience for their work.
- Don't be shy. Make a lot of friends. You never know when your paths will cross again
- Try to see other people's films (or music showcases)
- Be prepared to talk about your art at any time
- Charge your phone whenever you can
- Eat! Take advantage of the free food
- Get on as many guest lists as possible
- Don't drink too much, because it is a marathon and not a sprint
The thing everyone wants to know is, just how, exactly, does something like that happen? We asked Ryan this very question in the summer of 2009, when his foray into longer content, "Ninja Melk," was released, but we never published his responses. Turned out to be fortuitous, because now seems like the perfect time to resurrect his words:
What's the secret to becoming YouTube's No. 1 Most Subscribed Channel of All Time?
I don't think there are any secrets; however, there are some consistencies that I've seen that seem to help. The main thing is that you post videos that people want to see; majority of the time, it's comedy. Once you find your own style that works for you, you must continuously produce and post videos. Personally, I always watch my own videos as if I were the audience, before I post them. If it's something I think they'll enjoy and won't be offended by, it's good to go!
What's the strategy behind the videos you create? In other words, how do you decide what your next video is, when to upload it, and how to get the word out about it?
I always change up the type of video I make; that way, my subscribers never know what they're in for when a new video is up. For example, I have videos that range from rants, spoofs, sketches, songs, raps and short films. I try to upload at least once a week, but some videos take much longer to create and edit. The way I get the word out about my videos is usually through Twitter, MySpace, YouTube subscriptions and, probably the best of all, people spreading the word themselves.
What's your ultimate goal: fame and fortune on YouTube or something else?
My ultimate goal is to continuously produce videos that top the previous one. With every new video, I'm trying to improve, whether it's the video quality, editing or even the material. I think if you were to look back at the first videos I made, you'd hopefully see that they went from "horrible" to "a little less horrible." Anyway, being No. 1 most subscribed on YouTube is amazing, and I'm extremely grateful to be in that spot, but I'll never stop setting new goals and working toward creating the perfect video, which isn't possible.
Howcast, those folks who hosted that great roundtable discussion with four young innovative filmmakers for Creator's Corner, will be at SXSW in full force, looking for filmmakers to talk to and put on camera. They're especially interested in knowing about "what you make and how you make it." So if you're in Austin next week, seek them out to talk shop; if you're not, stay tuned to this blog for a recap of all the filmmaking tips and nuggets picked up at the festival.
From time to time, we'll highlight interesting views on video from around the Web. Please add links to any articles you found inspiring or helpful in the comments below.
Here's a summary of tips revealed during the talk, based on Howcast's Tweets during the event:
Production design tip from Tripp and Jenna: Always hold onto your old props!
Best place to find actors? Craigslist.
Good advice for casting: don't be creepy. Meet at a coffee shop for a reading. Get a good sense of the person's acting skills by having them play out a few emotions for you.
Keith Heyward says for stop-motion animation, you need a tripod, patience, lighting, and still HD camera.
Plan out everything in advance. "We'll fix it in post" is not an attitude that's advised!
Lighting: Michael Sanchez says all you need is a 60-watt light.
2000-watt lighting kits annihilate electricity bills. You don't usually need professional lighting. Try to hack it on your own.
Final Cut pro is the preferred editing tool for these filmmakers.
Get as close as possible to your on-camera mike when recording.
Filmmaking is a collaborative effort -- don't be afraid to ask people for help.
Amazon and B&H photo recommended as good places to buy equipment -- but do a lot of research before buying anything.
Tripp and Jenna buy everything online to get cheaper deals; used equipment can be great, too.
The industry's going to HD cameras, but you don't need to spend lots of money on one. If you're making videos for the web and they'll be compressed, having an expensive camera doesn't matter too much.
Always include links to your work so people can find you. Market yourself in a smart way.
Explore the web and see what others are doing. Get to know people by commenting on their work, get a dialog going and start building up your community. You never know how you could help each other out.
On Wednesday, January 20, at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET, Howcast will host a live-streamed roundtable on their YouTube channel, featuring four young filmmakers talking about how they make creative videos on a shoestring budget. They'll discuss about the supplies and skills needed to be a great DIY filmmaker, how to film and star in your own video, ways to use everyday objects for special effects, and how to choose friends to appear in your videos. They'll save the last 20 minutes of the hour to take your questions live.
Please register for this free event here so we know to expect you.
phonedog have answered all your questions about how to be a tech reviewer and uploaded this tutorial video. Watch it, then try your hand at reviewing any shiny new gadget you or your friends receive this holiday season. The phonedog team will select three promising new reviewers to feature on the YouTube homepage during the Consumer Electronics Show next month.
Here's a cheat sheet of the tips mentioned in the video:
Production Tips - Make videos first! Worry about gear later - Before you buy lights, search for help on YouTube - Editing is your friend; subtitles are great because they can contain specs (like pricing info) and can reinforce other important information - Overusing video effects is distracting - Don't be afraid to shoot lots of video and edit down
Reviewing a Product - Focus on what people use the device for, but definitely show the new and innovative features about it - Take notes while testing a gadget - Know your specs! - Music can make your videos more lively - Focus on the gadget, remove the clutter - Try shooting in different locations - Be yourself...but be as entertaining as you! - Keep it under 7 minutes if you can
Finding Your Style - Try out different ideas and styles and see what works - Try unboxings, reviews and comparisons (aka "dog fights") - Some ideas work, some don't -- keep experimenting!
By now you might have seen the immaculately accurate recreation -- in Legos -- of the legendary "bullet dodge" scene from The Matrix, in honor of the film's 10th anniversary this year:
But what's really cool is that the filmmakers, Trevor Boyd and Steve Ilett, have some detailed behind-the-scenes information on their site, including a guide to the technology behind the video and this fantastic tip sheet, which is a must-read for any budding Lego animator.
With 40,000+ subscribers and a couple of hit videos, the folks behind the phonedog channel know a thing or two about making popular product-review videos (in their case, mobile phone reviews). In the spirit of the holidays, they've kindly agreed to share their secrets with you, to help the next generation of gadget reviewers rise up on YouTube.
Ask any question you like about how to be an effective gadget reviewer by leaving a comment on -- or uploading a response video to -- this video. phonedog will review your questions and then make a tutorial video, uploaded around December 15, to help give you your start in this field. Take their advice or leave it, but definitely test it out, particularly on any hot new gadgets you or your friends receive this holiday season. We'll be featuring three of the most promising new reviewers, as selected by phonedog, on the YouTube homepage during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January.
For more details, Noah from phonedog lays it all out:
iJustine recently let YouTube users in on her video production process via this video packed with tips (and delightfully un-self-conscious dances on Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade):
Over on her blog is a full equipment list and this sage advice: "One of the BIGGEST misconceptions I think people have is that you NEED to have all kinds of expensive equipment to shoot great videos. No, you do not. A lot of videos that I shoot on YouTube are all done with a little tiny camera or my iSight and edited on my Mac." Click here for the full article.
Sequelmaker recently asked for advice on the best day and time to upload a video. While there's no definitive answer, here's what some people advised:
Weekends. It's kind of nice to upload late on a Saturday night and go in on Sunday morning and see who has seen the new upload. -- Rickbell7
I find that Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays are slowest for me. I usually get the most views at around Saturday evening (not night) and most of the day Sunday. -- jawharp1992
Monday would not be the best day as people are getting back to work and catching up on stuff that happened over the weekend. -- jeremiahjw
From statistics, website counters, etc. it is shown that by far Monday evening is the busiest time at the internet...so you want your things to be up a few hours before that happens. -- djmambito
The weekend traffic to the site is worth considering...Consider also that YouTube tends to conduct site maintenance on Wednesdays [when] videos are sometimes unavailable for viewing or comment postings may be unavailable. -- AVDJ
One of the top contributors in the YouTube Forums, rewboss, has written two helpful Knols that might be of interest to anyone reading this blog.
How to make a decent video, which is chock full of sound advice about equipment you will need to make a video, writing and filming tips, and things to keep in mind in the editing room.
Uploading Windows Movie Maker files to YouTube, which tackles what happens when you try to upload a project file instead of a video file to YouTube. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to render your video in WMM, and you may eliminate the frustration of getting an "invalid file format" message or the limbo of endless "processing."
Know of other YouTube users who give great advice? Let us know in the comments below. We're looking to highlight, celebrate and collaborate with all you experts out there.
