Request: Honest feedback about some videos I've made

[Shea Roberts]

Hi all, 

 

Not sure where to put this, so I figured Misc. would be the best choice Also, I hope it doesn't come across as shameless self-promotion either.

 

I've been making youtube videos for a while, and I think that I haven't gotten much better at expressing my true thoughts on what I want to say. I live in Japan, so my channel is mostly about my life here. I often find that when I do more opinion based videos that I have trouble expressing my thoughts and I have lots of pauses, ums & uhs, and ramble or lose my train of thought. I thought this would get better over time, but it doesn't seem to have. So therefore I end up editing my videos down so much that they are full of jump cuts just to be able to understand what I'm trying to say. I'd like to get some honest feedback about some videos on there if anyone would be so kind.

 

The channel is: http://www.youtube.com/user/shearoberts

 

My latest one is a bit of a change in direction and one that is much more self-knowledge based. It addresses some of the issues I've mentioned here. 

 

Again, any honest feedback is welcome. I'm in the process of upgrading my computer, so hopefully I can increase the production values a bit more in the near future. Thanks

 

Shea

[A4E]

When I clicked on the link, I involuntarily started watching the video you have chosen to be the flagship of your channel.

 

After 10 seconds I thought that this looks high quality, so he knows what he is doing.

 

After 20-30 seconds I was starting to get uninterested so I wound up looking through your videolist while listening to the flagship video.

 

Then I chose to start a exploring japan video to watch while listening to the flagship video.

 

I was wondering when you were going to give any good arguments, because "being a more motivated and engaging person who want to create a more entertaining situation" is not really a worthwile point, because it can be said about anything you do in life.

 

I severely wanted you to provide atleast one example. ONE example would have upped the entertaining and engaging value of that video considerably! Here is an idea, bring up a small whiteboard and start doodling away about what happened one time. Be more crazy, or relaxed. just my opinion.

 

Also you talk about going on and on and be boring to not help in teaching english, and you wanted honest feedback, so I have to say that was mostly what you did in your flagship video.

 

But, the video was high quality enough for me to atleast want to check out some of your other videos, but I cannot right now.

[A4E]

The hulk hogan video was decent.

 

The exploring japan videos are nice.

 

The being authentic video seemed kind of pointless. If you are going to do something, just do it. However you do have a healthy number of subscribers, so I guess the video could be justified to tell them. But from what you say in the video, be aware that the viewers will not get (and perhaps miss) your facial expressions. But I think its an ok thing to do.

[Shea Roberts]

Hi A4E,

 

First, thank you for taking the time to check out my channel and videos. Especially as many as you did. And thank you for being honest. That is what I need. I started doing these from scratch so I've been learning as I go along. Perhaps I just don't have that "it" factor to be entertaining on videos. It's weird because I have no issue with that at my job which requires a bit of entertaining with the teaching. Perhaps it's some mental block but I just cannot seem to be that way while doing videos. Every video I make seems to take a while to record and I do numerous takes. But honestly, on videos like the Hulk Hogan or other videos, I was not really taking it seriously and was just having fun. 

But when you brought up about making a point in my flagship video, see this is where I get confused. I spent lots of time on that and felt really good about the end result (other than the numerous cuts I had to make) but I felt I put forth my case well. And to hear that I didn't make a point at all was kind of shocking to read. Perhaps I just don't see it? Am I just blind to making a good argument or even seeing it? I really want to know as that is what I am really striving for. 

I've always been interested in video making and even made a short film in college that got quite a good response from the class and professor. But it seems I lost something in between. 

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I'll mull over it all honestly and see what I can do.

[A4E]

 

First, thank you for taking the time to check out my channel and videos. Especially as many as you did. And thank you for being honest. That is what I need. I started doing these from scratch so I've been learning as I go along. Perhaps I just don't have that "it" factor to be entertaining on videos. It's weird because I have no issue with that at my job which requires a bit of entertaining with the teaching. Perhaps it's some mental block but I just cannot seem to be that way while doing videos.

 

Heres 2 ideas that popped into my head to solve this mental block:

 

-Make a doll or something that looks like a student, place the camera ontop of it or on it somehow, and imagine that you are in a class talking about the subject you wish to convey.

 

-Have a friend hold the camera, and imagine that you are in a class, since then you will have an actual person that you have to relate to.

 

 

If you are the kind of teacher who asks the student questions, then nothing is stopping you from doing that aswell. That would engage the viewer.

 

 

 

 

Every video I make seems to take a while to record and I do numerous takes.

 

 

I am a perfectionist myself with most things I do, but it comes with drawbacks, like the final result might be devoid of a human feel or connection, and that it takes way longer to finish anything. And the self criticism drains your energy and spirit. I am trying to get out of a perfectionist mindset.

 

To look at an example that most here know of, I have a very hard time reading UPB because it seems so devoid of a human connection. Though it is probably very well put togheter. So I am fairly certain Stefan spent a lot of time on it.

 

 

 

 

But honestly, on videos like the Hulk Hogan or other videos, I was not really taking it seriously and was just having fun. 

But when you brought up about making a point in my flagship video, see this is where I get confused. I spent lots of time on that and felt really good about the end result (other than the numerous cuts I had to make) but I felt I put forth my case well. And to hear that I didn't make a point at all was kind of shocking to read. Perhaps I just don't see it? Am I just blind to making a good argument or even seeing it? I really want to know as that is what I am really striving for. 
 

 

The point you made is valid, its just that I would not hold it up high, because painting walls can be made entertaining and motivating aswell if you just have the right mindset. Maybe I am just being overcritical, but this is why I wanted atleast one example, so that I could have seen what you ment.

 

 

 

I've always been interested in video making and even made a short film in college that got quite a good response from the class and professor. But it seems I lost something in between. 

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I'll mull over it all honestly and see what I can do.

 

I want to help, because I myself do not even have the balls to show myself on youtube yet, even though I know more than the basics of how to do it, so instead I can help those who do have the balls to get even better.