How Not To Make A Youtube Video

Recently I made a video that I'm not happy with, not for a lack of effort, but because it was made with wrong ideas from the outset. This would normally go up exclusively on the patreon as a review of the last video made, but since this video was made from a core problem I wanted to put it here. Maybe it will help you, maybe it won't, but it has helped me at the very least.

[astra]

I do think you’re right about the kart racing video.. i did have a sense of not fully feeling like the whole thing really worked (especially for the length), but i want you to know that i still enjoyed it because i really enjoy your voice and editing and sense of humor

[MapleMilk]

I think this is the most insidious part of Youtube's effect on people

It's not that Youtube ALWAYS makes people "play to the algorithm" inherently

But Youtube DOES make you think in formats, what is digestable to watch AND make

It becomes a subtle mind trap of thinking of your thoughts in a format, a box in other words

Because the moment you think "This could make a good video" while doing something, you inherently have an idea of what "a good video" looks like, for better or for worse

[azarty]

I appreciate the post mortems you make cause it gives a new lense on your previous works and not a lot of people do that. So, it's nice to get to see the artists perspective on their work.

I think your "you should play ultrakill" video is a good example of the "I just want to talk about a game I like" video that you wanted the kart racer one to be. You just talk about why you like the game. And because you wanted the audience to play ultrakill you didnt say as much about the game as you wanted to to not spoil the game. I really like that video and it got me to play ultrakill becaise i could feel how passionate you were about the game. I wasnt as invested in the what makes the game good as i was invested in the love of the game you had shown. So maybe if you can channel that into you next video about a thing you like and arent restricted by spoilers you can just go off about a game you like. And you video game music is another example of you just talking about a thing you like. I wouldn't mind a Xrd video that's just you gushing about it.

I understand youtube algorithm is bitch tho and another comment made a great point about following it. So I understand the struggle.

Love your, work keep it up!

[DrunkenCoward]

>title is "How To Not Make A YouTube Video"
>he immediatly apologizes for a mistake with the making of the YouTube Video that he cannot explain.

I got exactly what had been advertised - in the first second.

Edit: It is also very relatable. I want to do a lot of different things, but they are either too much work or too expensive. So I just don't do anything.

[noampresnete]

i kinda get it. i miss an older era of youtube when 30 minutes videos were considered long and your feed had videos like "why crash team racing and mario kart wii are great" that are 7 minutes long and don't waste a second

[FinalContra]

I'm always here for "game good" videos from people whether it's elaborately crafted or something closer to just a conversation you would have asking a friend what they're playing lately. Even if I don't care for the game at all it's interesting seeing what they like about it and feel their genuine love for the game come through. It's a positive and contagious feeling that we all could use more of.

Also I tried CTR for the first time after your last video. I am SO bad at drifting in this game but it's a good time.

[Robomori]

I know you'll probably not see this but thank you for this video. Been struggling with a video essay for the past couple of years and your words here gave me some very valuable food for thought. Cheers and I hope I'll be done soon

[GameRevo]

I've been reading your Patreon post-mortems for a while now; thank you for those, they're always really insightful as a way to improve my own writing. I'd love to release videos more often just to get that same level of post-project self-reflection.

I watched the kart racer video with my partner who hasn't really seen your videos, so this comment is sort of a mix of perspectives. Hopefully it's useful!

We both really liked the first half. The quick wee jokes thrown in every so often were excellent, and there were a lot of ideas to sink our teeth into - games where you have to set up turns instead of react, Mario Kart 64's flaws, other games' attempts to make new modes that actually integrate well with driving... Generally it was just a great showcase of that period of time for kart racers. Learned a lot, had fun.

The analysis in the CTR part was also interesting! In some places, I found the word choice a bit too complicated to pick up the first time, like during the boost-stacking demonstration. My partner was a little let down that the jokes had mostly stopped at this part. Generally though, this was a good analytical section. You really made a case for CTR, and convinced me that I should try it some time.

During the last section, we had to pause to make food, and unfortunately didn't return to watch the rest. I picked it up a few days later in my own time 'cause I wanted to finish it. Honestly, I think the CTR portion made a good end to the video. It feels like there was a neat story of how Mario Kart 64 created the kart racer template, and other games failed to build on it until CTR. All the info showed the ideas that CTR would maintain, and the ones it innovated on. The wider industry context between CTR and MKWii that spans two console generations feels a bit unrelated. Honestly, I don't think the video is particularly about the golden age of kart racers. I think it's a video about CTR (and maybe MKWii). And a good one too, mind.

This might be overstepping my bounds, but I'd feel bad for not at least mentioning it - in your post-mortems it sometimes feels like you're criticising yourself too harshly. I find myself often watching one of your videos, thinking, "Yeah, that was a good watch!", only to then read a pretty scathing post-mortem. The 'Fighters Lost in the Files' one was such a refreshing change of pace - it was great to see you taking that same level of self-reflection to something that you were really happy with.

I feel like this video opened the door for people to suggest more shortcomings and improvements in the comments, much as I have done. But since you've already covered that in your post-mortem, I hope I'm not just compounding on any negativity. You can see my analytical, detached thoughts on the specifics of this one video pretty clearly here. What you can't see is the excitement that I had before we put the video on, knowing that a video by you would be something I'd want to show to my partner and enjoy together. And enjoy it we did! You have a real knack for these things, and you always take that one extra step beyond in order to make something even better. It just sucks to see you put yourself down afterwards. Even if it doesn't entirely pan out, I think it's important to celebrate the successes. 20 minutes of a video I really enjoyed is more significant than the last 10 minutes I was ambivalent about.

[LionShard]

Weird how this video is actually secretly about the GG Strive video, if you squint at it.

[Schluid]

Please do not be upset with me, I am a really stupid guy. BUT, I tuned out everything you were saying after 15 seconds because it was too intelligent but still watched the entire video and I feel like I am enlightened for it. Thank you Mr. Leon

[makogp]

hearing this video made the kart video make a lot more sense. It started off with mascot racers, i was thinking thisd be a video on like some rise and fall or something, but it ended up shifting topics to general racing games then tied up the end and while i did enjoy the video, i did feel like this was rushed somewhat. I didnt really pay it any mind it was my bedtime video while leon massey tucks me to sleep with his bedtime story

but seriously, im glad youre able to like, see what you can improve. I hope the expectations of a random consuumer wont put pressure on you or anything, i still live your videos!

[DJInsaneNinja]

The shortcomings of the kart racing video brought us this well spoken and meaningfully created insight and reflection from one of the best creators on the platform. I consider that to be a win in the long term.

[Gamelonlevrai]

I definitely noticed the "bloat" in the video but I hope it doesn't deter you from making more videos that are about things just because you like them. The way you gush about games and mechanics, and how you try to build context around them is really fun to watch and gives valuable perspective on the games I love (and makes me want to try games I never played like THPS).

Stay based baldy

[wusstunes]

Yeah, I think you're right. It's OK to make some missteps or play your b game sometimes though, and I'm glad you're taking lessons from it.

It can be really painful to work on something you don't believe in.

[mercurydrive]

I didn't notice anything off while watching the video, but what I did notice is that the parts where you were talking about CTR and Mario Kart Wii were the highlights that stuck with me after viewing

[tilt]

yea tbh I do think I got more from this video than the kart racer video

seriously tho this is kind of a banger

[ferellisto]

Now this explains why i felt like that video wasn't really "focused" right. I remember watching it and liking it, but just leaving with a feeling that it was a world tour of a genre in wich only two cities were worth mentioning. Personally i really enjoy your videos in presentation and way of expression over other aspects (not that other facets are inheretly worse or bad, just to let that clear), the "big theme" videos are really delightfull but i really got an appreciation for titles i just didn't knew with that cheap fighting games videos you made.

I completely understand seeing a format or patron in your way of making videos and feeling preassured in mainting it to not dissapoint anyone, but i really think that what makes a good video of yours are those moments in wich is clear and easy to feel a glimpse of the point you are trying to make (melancholic for pieces of art we will never see, excitement over a really good game, fascination for the inner working of system in an specific enviroment). If you keep achieving that i'll keep enjoying them just the same, will they be 20 or 2 minutes.

Also im just obsessed with the crazy frog track layouts, like i want to drive in those but not with an nudist frog (not shaming tho, just not my vehicle of preference).

[deafcraftgluh]

I really liked hearing you talk about CTR regardless guess it helps I so happen to love that game too, but I'm just happy to see you upload Leon love hearing your thoughts like this just keep doing your thing man!

[heyitsmort]

Damn I was like “I actually thought it was pretty good!” but after you made the point about branding … that would’ve been a mad good video. Still liked this one! Hoping your next is more in line with what you want; we’ll all be here

[yummyos]

I’ve felt this way about lots of projects but instead of seeing them to the end I normally scrap them. You definitely learn the most when you see everything together