This document provides an overview of vlogging and tips for creating video content for YouTube. It discusses how big YouTube has become, with over 1 billion unique users visiting each month. It then covers the basics of video production, including using editing techniques like transitions, b-roll footage, and repetition to improve videos. Various software options for editing videos are presented, from free to expensive. The document concludes by offering resources for learning more about vlogging through books, YouTube channels, and stock footage sites.

1. Vlogging
FRANK LA VIGNE
FRANKLA@MICROSOFT.COM | @TABLETEER
#DCTECH MI N UT E | F RA N K ’ S WO RL D T V

2. There is no code in this presentation.
◦Ironically at a “Code Camp”
However, there are similarities between coding and
creating good video.

4. YouTube? Really?

5. Just How Big is YouTube?
Source:
Fortune Magazine Aug 12, 2013

6. More Than Just Cats
YouTube reaches more US adults ages 18-34 than any cable network
◦ More than 1 billion unique users visit YouTube each month
◦ Over 6 billion hours of video are watched each month on YouTube
◦ That's almost an hour for every person on Earth, and 50% more than last year
◦ 100 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute
◦ Mobile makes up more than 25% of YouTube's watch time
◦ More than one billion views a day
Source: YouTube & Nielsen
(http://www.youtube.com/yt/press/statistics.html)

7. Agenda
◦Theory
◦Tools
◦Practice
◦Resources

8. Theory
FILM SCHOOL IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS*
* T H E R E ’ S A C T U A L L Y M O R E T O I T T H A N T H I S

9. The Power of Editing
Most people underestimate the power of editing.
◦ Perception is key
◦ Our brains “reach out” for context & make connections
◦ Without us being conscious of it
Don’t believe me?

13. In the spirit of great acronyms.

14. Making Better Videos: A.F.T.E.R.
A – Attention
F – Focus
T – Transitions
E – Establishing
R – Repeat

15. Attention
Short attention spans
◦ Shorter videos get more views
◦ More frequent cuts
◦ The “10 Second test”
◦ Older movies vs. newer movies
◦ Reality in real time makes
for boring video
◦ and there’s already plenty of that
on the internet

16. Focus
You control the picture
◦ The horizontal
◦ And the vertical
Use this to your advantage
◦ Or it will use you

17. Transitions
Use clever tricks to hide your edits
◦ Best edits aren’t even noticed.
◦ Despite the fact that they should be
B-Roll is your friend
◦ No, it’s not a type of Sushi role
“The term ‘B-roll’ … secondary footage that adds meaning to a sequence or
disguises the elimination of unwanted content. … The cutaway to B-roll
footage can also be used to hide verbal or physical tics that the editor
and/or director finds distracting” –WikiPedia
It’s not sushi, but if it were, it would be delicious.

18. B Roll Examples

19. Establishing
Establishing shots help frame a story
◦ Set up a context for the story to unfold
◦ You see this in news footage as well
◦ Almost always B-roll or stock footage
◦ Never have to be “authentic”
◦ Except (ideally) for news stories

20. Repeat
The more you do something the better you get
◦ Don’t worry if your first videos will suck
◦ They almost certainly will 
◦ You will have plenty of blooper footage
◦ Try to learn something new with each video
◦ Practice makes perfect

21. Tools
WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED*
* Y O U MI G H T E V E N H A V E E V E R Y T H I N G Y O U N E E D A L R E A D Y

22. Camera + Software = Magic
Camera
◦ Many YouTubers use (or started out with) low end hardware
Software
◦ Ranges from free to expensive
◦ But all work more or less the same way (ish)
Magic
◦ It’s both shockingly easy and surprisingly hard to create compelling video

23. Budget Yourself!
Start small => Grow big
So you can:
◦ Learn the ropes
◦ Not waste money
◦ Just get started

24. Camera
Chances are good you own one already
◦ Webcams – good and cheap
◦ Consumer Digital Cameras – better and not too much money
◦ DSLR – best of everything, but expensive
◦ RED/4k Cameras – Better then the best and you’ll pay for it
Are we forgetting something?

25. Audio!
Good audio is an important part of great video
◦ Many would say more important than the video
◦ Some would say video is 90% audio and 10% video
◦ I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s an interesting point
Bottom line:
◦ Eyes are more forgiving that ears
◦ If you must spend money, spend it on a microphone
◦ You can get buy with a $20 range mic
◦ But please, for the love of everything holy, not your laptop’s built in mic

26. Software
Free
Movie Maker
$/$$
Sony Vegas
$$$
Adobe Premier

27. Windows Movie Maker
Pros
◦ Free download
◦ Enough features to get started
◦ Simple interface
Cons
◦ You get what you pay for

28. Sony Vegas
Pros
◦ Full feature set
◦ Simple UI
◦ “the interface is pretty bland and boring, but the simplicity, performance, and
stability of this software makes it a clear winner”
Cons
◦ Windows only
◦ Not that cheap

29. Adobe Premiere
Pros
◦ The industry standard*
◦ There are other tools that major studios have at their disposal (Avid, etc)
◦ Tight integration with other Adobe tools
◦ You can do just about anything*
◦ See below
Cons
◦ Learning curve
◦ Expensive

30. It’s up to you to make
great videos
NO MATTER WHICH SOFTWARE YOU CHOOSE

31. Practice
L E T ’ S GE T DOWN TO B US I N ES S

32. Consider the Following
http://frnk.us/HowToCreateDigitalNetwork

37. Resources
WHAT TO READ
WHAT TO WATCH

38. Books
Video Nation
◦ This is what inspired me
◦ Practical tips from a journalist for USA Today
◦ Interviews and BTS with famous YouTubers
How to Shoot Video that Doesn’t Suck
◦ Title says it all
◦ Tips are indexed with plenty of examples
Shut up and Shoot
◦ Read this if you want to get serious
◦ Great, Practical advice
◦ Geared towards aspiring documentary
filmmakers, but chock full of practical
advice for Vloggers

39. YouTube Channels
Film Riot
◦ Part comedy, part educational: entirely worth it
Indy Mogul
◦ Great tips on film making
Surfaced Studio
◦ All kinds of special effects tutorials
Mike Diva
◦ Filmmaker who makes amazing and funny videos with an edge
Action Movie Kid
◦ Best. Family. Movies. Ever.

40. Stock Footage
http://videoblocks.refr.cc/P6C96MN

41. Final Thought
#INSPIRATION #JFDI