I got the replacement axles for the piko whitcomb. The ones with out the tires. Seams to cause a problem on us layouts. I thought a vid on 5e problem and fix would be a good idea. What makes a good video and where do find info on getting all learnified about making decent videos? Note, this question is one making vids not replacing axle.
shane
[Disclaimer: This is my opinion, Shane, so take it for what it’s worth [:D]]
Good videos include (IMO):
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In-focus quality images for general and close-up shots - To me this should be self-evident. However, I’ve seen videos where images are out of focus - especially during close-ups, which kinda defeats the whole purpose for the close-up.
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Engaging and appropriate narratives that garner a viewer’s attention - It does NOT need to be wordy or overly-wordy. Sometimes an image alone suffices for conveying what you are doing on-screen - i.e. presuming you have set up (described) the sequence properly ahead of time for the viewer so they know what is going on, or is going to happen.
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Any motion (e.g. panning the camera, zooming in or out) should be slow & deliberate - This is probably the BIGGEST annoyance for me with posted online videos. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and my equilibrium just doesn’t handle the excessive motion like it did when I was younger. I find it distracting & nauseating and I’ll turn off a video promptly when it reaches that point.
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Limit music content - This is 2nd to Point 3 for me. Constant music - especially rhythmic in content AND used during narrative - can be a real distraction. If you feel that you must have music, make sure it’s under the narrative in volume and appropriate to what the viewer is seeing. Personally I would limit any music to just the opening and closing of a video and have it fade out once the narrative starts. That said, certain musical genres make better background music than others for continous play.
Again, the above is just my opi
Tom’s point #3!
Nothing is more off-putting and will cause me to click out of a video quickly than panning and moving too much and too fast.
Also, no need for long introductory title scenes and dramatic effects. Get right to the content. With thousands of videos available, I don’t need to sit through someone’s ‘cute’ title sequences.
I agree with what Tom said and I will add that proper lighting is the most important thing other than a steady camera that is in focus. The brighter the lights are the more area that is in focus, but also make sure that there is no glare from the lights shining back into the camera.
For audio, make sure that you speak up in a clear voice. The closer the microphone is to you the better.
These are Youtube’s own tips. This starts at page 2. The first page was just what was said above.
Expect a ton of suggestions. I recommend seeing what others do with large # of subscribers and replicate. Copying what they do can put you on firmer footing.
Another site (amongst many) for tips:
https://wave.video/blog/12-simple-tips-for-making-your-videos-look-more-professional/
Absolutely, totally agree!!! My limit is about eight to ten seconds, preferrably shorter. If the intro is longer then I immediately start to skip through the video instead of watching the whole thing.
I will also suggest that videos that are too long and repetetive get turned off pretty quickly. Tourism style videos should be a summary of the highlights of what is to be shown, not the whole trip. Of course, that doesn’t apply to instructional videos where every step must be displayed thoroughly.
[2c]
Cheers!!
Dave
Having seen my share of MRR videos, and acknowledging that I have absolutely no talent in the video arts, here is my take:
Like many, I see a video as an opportunity to be a visitor at someone else’s layout. I like to see what the owner has done, so I can get some ideas for my own layout and to be inspired to improve my own modeling.
Accordingly I enjoy seeing a well-paced flyover, done slow enough so I can take-in the overall points of interest, such as industrial complexes, bridges, city scapes and natural scenery. Where warranted, voice-over descriptions and close-up shots of the specific details are appreciated.
Meaning no offense to those who produce videos that are 100% cab rides, but I’ve pretty much given-up on watching them. I get it that they are easier to produce, and are part of the video arts learning curve, so I applaud their efforts. That said, one of my favorite videos is the Eastern PA Logging RR, where the amount of track-side detail is impressive. See it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUbweRRMEC0
Another video I was impressed with was a mix of clever editing. The viewer first had a birds-eye view of the train approaching the scene, followed by one or more short clips of cab views of the station, then the factory, followed by a tree covered hillside; then on to the birds-eye view of the next scene. I wish I had made note of this link!
Jim
I have seen some lousy vids. Where you can’t see what they are doing since it is out of frame. So I know to keep it in frame.
the collective seams not not like an intro that is longer than maybe 5 seconds. A quick outline at the beginning. Or at least a rambling audio track warning. Background music kept to a minimum or non existent. Lighting, closeups, pans slow or non existent, Did I miss anything?
shane
Some time ago, I was able to make short videos (usually of on-layout moving trains) in my photobucket account, but as far as i’m aware, it’s no longer permitted.
Wayne
I like watching MRR videos (so many awesome layouts) but I have three pet peeves:
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Cut the music, wanna hear your short, concise comments about your layout and hear the trains run! I can listen to music anytime.
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I don’t care if it’s a $10,000 locomotive on an award winning layout. Listening and watching a locomotive start-up is 1/10 as much fun as watching grass grow. I always fast forward if I sense the start of loco start-up…
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I know sound is cool, but geez, turn down the volume! Watching five locos go by with sound blaring leads to an immediate departure from the video.
There was a video on youtube on how to play an interesting chord progression on the guitar. The guy starts by yacking for three minutes at the camera along with minutes of other useless stuff. I made a 70-second video showing the progression twice. No chat just a close-up of my hands doing the progression, short, and sweet. It got a gazillion hits with tons of thanks for providing what was wanted without having to sift through all the chaff.
So, if it is a how-to video, show how-to without the Walter Cronkite along the way.[(-D]
Recording and editing a decent video is a time-consuming practice even for a seasoned professional. It will help immensely if you do rough “story board” sketches or a written plan ahead of time so you know what set-ups you want to photograph and what narrative you want to add.
This is going to be a long response. I will add to previous responses where I can.
My youngest daughter and I made A LOT of YouTube videos about her Cosplay Projects, K-Pop Dances, and Convention Reports.
I also had my own YouTube channel of model building projects. Around 2015 I took a good critical look at my channel and took it down. It will be back in 2025 as an entirely reformatted channel.
Please see all my comments and suggestions below.
Yes… if you produce something that is out-of-focus, throw it a way and re-shoot it. Very vew people will stay for an out-of-focus presentation.
Yes, and ALWAYS add the voice over later. When you are shooting the video concentrate on the actual video. Just make quick comments, like notes. Then when you add the voice-over track just expand on your notes.
Further… USE A TRIPOD! You cannot hold a camera still. If you are panning, buy a stabilized gimbal mount or a two-handled motion cage and use it. These are pretty inexpensive on Amazon.
We do not share the same taste in music with our audience. No one will come to my model building channel to hear selections from my collection of rare underground/bootleg punk rock recordings from the early 1980s. Music should be public access instrumental arrangements at a low background volume. Find a piece with at least a 15 minute cycle repeat time that you like, and then use it in all of your videos.
[quote user=“York1”]
Also, no nee
You guys must hate my videos! My intro titles / welcome for my layout update videos is about 20 seconds long.
But I do use a tripod, hopefully my lighting isn’t too bad (120v powered LEDs - the layout room lighting), and the videos are scripted before the narration is recorded so I don’t repeat myself to much and fill the audio with ums and ands and ers.
You must do a great job with your intros because I don’t remember being aggravated by them. Some videos have such long poorly-done intros that I just click off of them.
I’ve never been tempted to do that with yours!
Loud music and too much lead time before a train enters the scene. I usually see that latter one in railfan videos. The guy sets up to shoot the oncoming train and starts shooting, like 3 minutes before the train ever enters the scene. You’re sitting there watching, well… nothing. Edit out that ‘dead’ time.
One thing that really irrtates me on model railroad cab rides is when you get a full view of the unfinished interior of a hill for 45 seconds while in a tunnel.
BORING!
[|)]
-Kevin
I so agree with this, it is a pet peeve of mine. All my tunnels are finished on the inside.
I kinda like seeing the unfinished inside of a tunnel, as long as it isn’t too big a chunk of the entire video. Lets me see what construction techniwques were used in benchwork and basic scenery landforms.