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
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
[Disclaimer: This is my opinion, Shane, so take it for what it's worth ]
Good videos include (IMO):
Again, the above is just my opinion but these four points are what makes a good video to me. I'm sure others will bring up other valid points.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
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.
York1 John
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.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
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/
York1Also, no need for long introductory title scenes and dramatic effects. Get right to the content.
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.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
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:
1) Cut the music, wanna hear your short, concise comments about your layout and hear the trains run! I can listen to music anytime.
2) 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...
3) 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.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
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.
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.
NVSRRWhat makes a good video?
Please see all my comments and suggestions below.
tstageIn-focus quality images for general and close-up shots.
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.
tstageEngaging and appropriate narratives that garner a viewer's attention.
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.
tstageAny motion (e.g. panning the camera, zooming in or out) should be slow & deliberate
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.
tstageLimit music content.
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.
York1Also, no need for long introductory title scenes and dramatic effects.
My title page sequence was 10 seconds long. The title page with fading in-out logos for the 8th USAAF, SGRR Logo, Betsy Ross Flag, Viking Shield, Soviet Star, and a Heater Shield with Heraldry. This took six seconds, then there was a four second text page explaining my channel is not sponsored, I buy all of my own models, and I do my own production. All with Fife & Drum music playing. Then I would show a picture of the finished project with about a ten second voice over explanation of what would be included in this video.
Then get down to the meat and potatoes.
Lone Wolf and Santa FeProper lighting is the most important thing other than a steady camera that is in focus.
I used 5,600K photo flourescents in reflectors. LEDs should either be battery powered, or USB powered. LEDs powered by 120 VAC flicker, and the frame rate on most digital video cameras can pick this up in irritating ways. I bought some good 5,000K LED panel lights with USB power from Amazon for a good price.
hon30crittervideos that are too long and repetetive get turned off pretty quickly.
Yes, stick to the point. A video should never be made longer than it needs to be.
NEVER show the entire sequence of installing six identical pieces on a model. Show the first, and the final part of the last. NEVER show all the brush strokes for painting a wall. BORING!
NVSRRSo I know to keep it in frame.
Yes. I used Sony Vegas to edit our videos, and I could pan/scan to where the action was. So I shot wide and edited tight.
IDRickCut the music, wanna hear your short, concise comments about your layout and hear the trains run! I can listen to music anytime.
Music should only be in the background. The feature is your modeling technique.
IDRickTurn down the volume! Watching five locos go by with sound blaring leads to an immediate departure from the video.
Listening to DCC sound systems in videos becomes boring in just three short seconds. Keep that in mind.
Graham Line 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.
I did this in reverse. I would make the video and edit it into the scenes I wanted. Then I would make a story board from the scenes and write the text. If your voice-over is too long or too short you can speed up or slow down the scene slightly to match.
These are my own best tips:
1) - Do not use video where a photograph is appropriate: Too many YouTubers use video for everything. For a lot of detail and specifics, a well taken still photograph is much better. Add dialogue baloons and pop-up arrows to match your voice-over. Motion when you are describing finer detail is always bad.
2) - Showing the final model on a turntable rotating at 4 RPM at the end of the video is a nice touch. If you must include a personal music selection, this would be the place to do that. A retail 4 RPM display turntable is not very expensive.
3) - At the very end of the video show a slideshow of pictures of your other modeling projects with an invitation to watch more of your videos. I only had videos for about 15% of the projects I showed, but I had intentions.
4) - I shot all of my previous YouTube videos using my Canon Rebel DSLR camera with good EOS lenses. Having a decent DLSR with video capability is no longer a requirement for making watchable videos. The video recording quality of many newer cell phone cameras is much better than it was 10 years ago.
5) - While cell phone cameras have gotten better... the built in microphones have not. Get a decent microphone and use it to record the voice-over. My new Canon 80-D has an input for an external microphone that I might try for certain video segments.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
hon30critter York1 Also, no need for long introductory title scenes and dramatic effects. Get right to the content. Cheers!! Dave
York1 Also, no need for long introductory title scenes and dramatic effects. Get right to the content.
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.
Mark P.
Website: http://www.thecbandqinwyoming.comVideos: https://www.youtube.com/user/mabrunton
PruittYou guys must hate my videos! My intro titles / welcome for my layout update videos is about 20 seconds long.
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!
SeeYou190 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.