I'm thinking about starting my own Youtube channel, but i have a few questions...

[ThatWildWolf]

Hi Escapees. Since summer has arrived, I finnaly have time to start a project I have been considering for some time: starting my own Youtube channel about retrogaming. Unfortunately, I need your help on some issues I have been having. First of all, I can't decide what my channel's name should be. I have come up with the name ThatWildWolf, mostly for personal reasons, but I'm not sure if it sounds right. Second, I can't find a free editing tool for my videos that will allow me to do what I want. For you guys to have an idea, I would enjoy to be able to use effects similar to those that Spacehamster or PBG use in their videos, preferably using free software (I would not want to pay for something that is just an hobby). I'm not having a lot of problems thinking of new and fresh ideas for my videos, but I'm completely stuck in the two issues I mentioned before. I'd like to know if you have any suggestions.
EDIT: Just so we're clear, I have no intentions of making LP videos, instead I'll be doing reviews based on a script.

 

[Madame_Lawliet]

Okay, first off, prioritize sound. Prioritize sound like it's nobody's business.
I've learned from experience that it doesn't matter how good your visual effects are or how good your script is, if it's a chore to listen to they will simply not, end of story. Get some good recording sound software (Audacity has always worked decently enough for me and that's free), and a good mic with a pop filter (yes you will be needing a pop filter, it's not something you think will make a big difference but it really really does), make sure you don't compress your audio too much in the exporting process, that'll kill the quality.
As for the visual editing software, I don't have as much experience with that but I have dabbled from time to time. Windows Movie Maker is the obvious choice (chances are if you have a windows operating system post 98 then it's probably pre-installed on your computer already) but the newest version of that is very annoying to use. There are better options though, Google around a bit, see what you find.
Also, in an industry where some of biggest names are "Totalbiscuit" and "Pewdiepie," "ThatWildWolf" sounds completely reasonable to me.

Oh and uh, word of advise, don't do NES.
Everyone does NES.

 

[ThatWildWolf]

Okay, first off, prioritize sound. Prioritize sound like it's nobody's business.
I've learned from experience that it doesn't matter how good your visual effects are or how good your script is, if it's a chore to listen to they will simply not, end of story. Get some good recording sound software (Audacity has always worked decently enough for me and that's free), and a good mic with a pop filter (yes you will be needing a pop filter, it's not something you think will make a big difference but it really really does), make sure you don't compress your audio too much in the exporting process, that'll kill the quality.
As for the visual editing software, I don't have as much experience with that but I have dabbled from time to time. Windows Movie Maker is the obvious choice (chances are if you have a windows operating system post 98 then it's probably pre-installed on your computer already) but the newest version of that is very annoying to use. There are better options though, Google around a bit, see what you find.
Also, in an industry where some of biggest names are "Totalbiscuit" and "Pewdiepie," "ThatWildWolf" sounds completely reasonable to me.

Oh and uh, word of advise, don't do NES.
Everyone does NES.

Thanks a lot for the advice, and I guess I will have to get some better audio equipment. Windows Movie Maker, in my opinion, is very limited, and I wouldn't be able to do what I want with it without speding a lot of time, and it probably wouldn't come out the way I wanted anyway, so I guess I'll have to get an alternative. As for the content I was going to put on my channel, I was actually going to focus more in the PSone and maybe the PS2, as well as some retro PC games. Once again, thanks a lot.

 

[freaper]

I remember this quote from a gaming forum I used to lurk on: "Yes, we paid hundreds of dollars for Photoshop to create free modifications for you guys "

 

[Queen Michael]

I agree with @Madam_Lawliet when it comes to sound. You MUST have good sound or people will ditch you. That's a good general tip -- make sure that you always ask yourself "What would turn someone off of my videos?" and then fix that problem, whatever it is.

TheWildWold is a good name, IMO.

 

[Tarcolt]

I have been recently thinking about a similar thing, the one outstanding point that I can't stress enough is to be entertaining, I am a professional performer(music, comedy, acting) and the things I see in the channels that are rubbish is that they are often done by people who have no script or a poorly structured one, do some research on structure and actually rehearse, If you're planning on doing lets plays you had better be spontaneously funny and quick witted. As for sound, I think that you can only work with the gear you have, good recording equipment isn't free, so dip your feet in the water first and see if the investment is worth it.

 

[BeerTent]

Hi Escapees. Since summer has arrived, I finnaly have time to start a project I have been considering for some time: starting my own Youtube channel about retrogaming. Unfortunately, I need your help on some issues I have been having. First of all, I can't decide what my channel's name should be. I have come up with the name ThatWildWolf, mostly for personal reasons, but I'm not sure if it sounds right. Second, I can't find a free editing tool for my videos that will allow me to do what I want. For you guys to have an idea, I would enjoy to be able to use effects similar to those that Spacehamster or PBG use in their videos, preferably using free software (I would not want to pay for something that is just an hobby). I'm not having a lot of problems thinking of new and fresh ideas for my videos, but I'm completely stuck in the two issues I mentioned before. I'd like to know if you have any suggestions.

I actually picked this very thing up easily Brrauugh, Recently, RECENTLY. Jeezus, it ain't easy. Here's my tips...

Have a plan.
Know what you're going to play. Make sure you LIKE what you're going to play, and make sure you can see it through to the end. Try to set up a schedule for LP's and do your editing shortly after you do your recording. Also, make sure you're capable of playing that game. I thought I could do XCOM on classic. I failed, and I've got two shit episodes as a result. If LP's and highlights are not your aim, write down in notepad what you're going to do and talk about beforehand and keep it as reference. I was going to do a video on Watch-Dogs, and because I didn't plan it right, I spent 4 hours on nothing. I didn't like the end result.

Have the hardware...
Does your keyboard have a number-pad? Media-key setup? Not required, but helps. You can bind some extra functions to these to help. For example, I have music for when I take a break on Twitch. People can listen to something while they wait, and I don't need to alt-tab. Number-pad has a few buttons to control my mic, when I create a new file, ETC. Also, be absolutely sure you've got a good quality mic. That you're understandable and legible when you're playing. Make sure you're not breathing into it.

Not to mention, a 2nd monitor... I'd die without a 2nd monitor but my friend says that he felt such an intense need to have it when he was recording that I prettymuch deem recording "work." And you can't do "Work" on a computer without another monitor. All of this, of course, is assuming you've got the rig to handle it.

Aand the Software.
I use OBS. People say it's sub-par, but I can't find anything better or simpler. It's called Open Broadcasting Software. It takes a few moments to setup (Which should be assumed.) and outputs a really friendly file.

I know it's not free, but I've been using Magix Movie Edit Pro. It's around $70 though, which is steep if you're impoverished like me. If you're absolutely serious about doing something for the long run, I recommend it. If you want to know what it's like, here's a basic overview of the absolute basics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dY4WVTziEMQ

I imagine there's better out there, but this is what I use.

Test, TEST! In closing...
If you're not into the habits, Test like a ************. Make a video file before you start recording just to make sure everything is fine. OBS Helps show off what things are like on the fly.

Take a few moments to listen and watch to some of the big names. I'm not going to mimic them, but how they roll with their videos are something you want to study. What do they do? What effects do they go for? Are you okay with showing your face? I'm not, so I avoid games which incite big reactions like Outbreak. How do they start their videos? How do they end them?

Also, be dramatic. Don't fake it, but be a bit more open than you normally are. If you talk dull, act like a robot, and seem expressionless... No, bad movie. But if you really enjoy yourself, laugh, have a good time, your viewers will laugh with you too. Or they'll laugh as your expense. But that's still good!! :3

And finally... BUFFER!!! Make a buffer of as many videos of you can, and THEN start uploading a schedule. The buffer means you can burn out, and go a while without producing more content. But only for a little while. >.<

As for the name? C'mon... TotalBiscut? PewDiePie? GameGrumps? Rooster Teeth? BeagleRush? InflatableBeerTent? Just TRY and tell me that 'ThatWildWolf' ain't gonna fit. ;3 You're mighty fine, and it helps you in a certain demographic.

 

[ThatWildWolf]

I have been recently thinking about a similar thing, the one outstanding point that I can't stress enough is to be entertaining, I am a professional performer(music, comedy, acting) and the things I see in the channels that are rubbish is that they are often done by people who have no script or a poorly structured one, do some research on structure and actually rehearse, If you're planning on doing lets plays you had better be spontaneously funny and quick witted. As for sound, I think that you can only work with the gear you have, good recording equipment isn't free, so dip your feet in the water first and see if the investment is worth it.

That's exactly what I was gonna do, as a matter in fact. I appreciate certain lets players, like Pewdiepie, for example, but I have always prefered scripted reviews and youtube shows, so that was my idea to begin with. Also, Youtube is completely saturated with lets play channels, most of them being complete rubbish made by 12 year olds who think they are funny, and I think I would have a bigger chance by doing scripts even though I don't have experience in that matter, except for a few scripts in which I'm currently working on. I'll make a couple of "samples" or smaller reviews using the equipment I already have, and I will only get better equipment if I see the channel as some potential. For now, I'll just concentrate on the scripts, and thanks for the reply.

I agree with @Madam_Lawliet when it comes to sound. You MUST have good sound or people will ditch you. That's a good general tip -- make sure that you always ask yourself "What would turn someone off of my videos?" and then fix that problem, whatever it is.

TheWildWold is a good name, IMO.

Thanks for the tip, I'll make sure to follow it while I'm making my videos, and since I'll have as much time as I want to write the first scripts I'll try to apply that tip when I'm writing them as well.

 

[ThatWildWolf]

@BeerTent Thank you so much for all those tips, some of those were really helpful, although I'm not really going to need some of the hardware you mentioned (or atleast I dont think so) since I'll do scripted reviews, not a "lets play" model. However, I'm definitely going to check the software. As for the drama, BTW, i can be quite expressive when I'm talking, even more so when I'm talking about something I like (or that I absolutely hate). Once again, thanks a lot.

 

[Mister K]

I am not a LPer, but I watch a few of such channels.
The tips I can give you as a potential consumer:

1. You are going to talk during your videos, right? Find some kind of balance between emotions and tones. What I mean is that you should not sound monotonous, but you shouldn't scream like a madman and make crazy talk too.

2. Do LP's of games you find intersting. What is the point of even touching a thing if you don't like it?

3. Plan ahead. There must be a schedule to your uploads.

4. Finish the damn thing. Even if only 10 people are watching your playthrough, those 10 people want to see the end of the game provided by YOU, so deliver.

 

[ThatWildWolf]

I am not a LPer, but I watch a few of such channels.
The tips I can give you as a potential consumer:

1. You are going to talk during your videos, right? Find some kind of balance between emotions and tones. What I mean is that you should not sound monotonous, but you shouldn't scream like a madman and make crazy talk too.

2. Do LP's of games you find intersting. What is the point of even touching a thing if you don't like it?

3. Plan ahead. There must be a schedule to your uploads.

4. Finish the damn thing. Even if only 10 people are watching your playthrough, those 10 people want to see the end of the game provided by YOU, so deliver.

I'm not planning on being an LPer (I guess I should've been more clear in the opening post), but regardless of that those tips were quite helpful, thanks.

 

[Evil Moo]

Blender [http://www.blender.org] is free and, while mostly a 3D package, does contain a video editor and compositor which I imagine would be powerful enough for whatever you want to do, though the learning curve might be a bit steep and you'd likely have to spend a fair amount of time figuring out how to achieve your desired effects.

 

[Veldel]

Im in the same boat as you. Im going from Twitch to Youtube.


My video looks amazing but i need to work on video editing and sound atm.

My channel will keep my Twitch channels name Gaming Overload

 

[ThatWildWolf]

Blender [http://www.blender.org] is free and, while mostly a 3D package, does contain a video editor and compositor which I imagine would be powerful enough for whatever you want to do, though the learning curve might be a bit steep and you'd likely have to spend a fair amount of time figuring out how to achieve your desired effects.

I'll make sure to look into it, after all I have an entire summer to figure out how it works, sooo i guess that should be enough. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Queen Michael]

Thanks for the tip, I'll make sure to follow it while I'm making my videos, and since I'll have as much time as I want to write the first scripts I'll try to apply that tip when I'm writing them as well.

Goodie. Just remember that people won't overlook flaws; they'll find something better.

On the other hand, Annoying Orange's got millions of views, so I might be wrong...

 

[Vault101]

That's exactly what I was gonna do, as a matter in fact. I appreciate certain lets players, like Pewdiepie, for example, but I have always prefered scripted reviews and youtube shows, so that was my idea to begin with. Also, Youtube is completely saturated with lets play channels, most of them being complete rubbish made by 12 year olds who think they are funny, and I think I would have a bigger chance by doing scripts even though I don't have experience in that matter, except for a few scripts in which I'm currently working on. I'll make a couple of "samples" or smaller reviews using the equipment I already have, and I will only get better equipment if I see the channel as some potential. For now, I'll just concentrate on the scripts, and thanks for the reply.
.

so youre thinking scripted/mainly entertainment like AVGN or Jontron/nostalga critic? I much prefer those kinds of shows

this is JUST my optinion so take it as you will but were I going to watch an online show what I'd want is....somone being distinctive, not just another AVGN wannabe screaming and cussing

I mean I get that screaming and cussing are popular but really it gets old...AVGN is one of the first but trying to ape his style just isn't going to work..especally with the "market" being as over saturated as it is

thats why I like Jontron....his humour and delivery and distinctive and off-beat, not just THIS GAME IS SO BAAAD IT HURTS ME

I can't (and wouldn't know) how to tell you to do your show...but I guess its your personality you gotta sell, also be professional,

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

Thanks a lot for the advice, and I guess I will have to get some better audio equipment. Windows Movie Maker, in my opinion, is very limited, and I wouldn't be able to do what I want with it without speding a lot of time, and it probably wouldn't come out the way I wanted anyway, so I guess I'll have to get an alternative. As for the content I was going to put on my channel, I was actually going to focus more in the PSone and maybe the PS2, as well as some retro PC games. Once again, thanks a lot.

Ooh! I love me some retro PS1 and 2 games! As a kid I couldn't have all the games I wanted, and now go back and buy and play them!
I'm really interested in your channel!

I would also second the audio thing. I like to listen to reviews of games, but not if it sounds bad!
Also, get a few facts thrown in the mix as you review and tell us about the game. Chances are I haven't heard of the game you are playing, so throwing in a few extras like if someone big in the industry worked on it, or if there were differences between regional versions is always good.

Finally... Alundra! Please do Alundra!

 

[ThatWildWolf]

Ooh! I love me some retro PS1 and 2 games! As a kid I couldn't have all the games I wanted, and now go back and buy and play them!
I'm really interested in your channel!

I would also second the audio thing. I like to listen to reviews of games, but not if it sounds bad!
Also, get a few facts thrown in the mix as you review and tell us about the game. Chances are I haven't heard of the game you are playing, so throwing in a few extras like if someone big in the industry worked on it, or if there were differences between regional versions is always good.

Finally... Alundra! Please do Alundra!

Thanks a lot for the support, and even though I was initially thinking about doing vids about famous games like MGS, Crash and Spyro, I've been starting to think about creating vids about some "unknown" games from my childhood. Also, I'll definitely check out that game you mentioned. Unfortunately, it'll still take some time until I start making videos the way I want since I don't have the hardware I need and I can't find an editing software I like, however I have already started to write a few scripts and they're coming along nicely, I think. Once again, thanks a lot, I'm glad to see people are already interested in my channel (even though I haven't actually done any videos).

 

[Elementary - Dear Watson]

Ooh! I love me some retro PS1 and 2 games! As a kid I couldn't have all the games I wanted, and now go back and buy and play them!
I'm really interested in your channel!

I would also second the audio thing. I like to listen to reviews of games, but not if it sounds bad!
Also, get a few facts thrown in the mix as you review and tell us about the game. Chances are I haven't heard of the game you are playing, so throwing in a few extras like if someone big in the industry worked on it, or if there were differences between regional versions is always good.

Finally... Alundra! Please do Alundra!

Thanks a lot for the support, and even though I was initially thinking about doing vids about famous games like MGS, Crash and Spyro, I've been starting to think about creating vids about some "unknown" games from my childhood. Also, I'll definitely check out that game you mentioned. Unfortunately, it'll still take some time until I start making videos the way I want since I don't have the hardware I need and I can't find an editing software I like, however I have already started to write a few scripts and they're coming along nicely, I think. Once again, thanks a lot, I'm glad to see people are already interested in my channel (even though I haven't actually done any videos).

That would be good... get people hooked with a nostalgia trip, and then lure them into rarer stuff.

I like to support new people, and what I like about you is that you are thinking about it. You referred to it as a project, which makes me think that it is something you are doing for yourself. From your language, I have a feeling that you are like me, introverted, and motivated by personal challenge. You enjoy games and want to combine it with an experience to do something new. You seem like the type of person I would get on with in real life... you are modest and thoughtful and are therefore not the usual young kid with a gaming mic and an obsession with CoD, BF4 and calling people faggots/noobs...

This is all just the impression I got, but that is usually a good starting block! You may not be like that at all, but you haven't turned me away as a potential consumer, so that is a good thing! I look forward to hearing what you come up with! Does the channel exist yet? Can I subscribe so I don't forget?

 

[ThatWildWolf]

That would be good... get people hooked with a nostalgia trip, and then lure them into rarer stuff.

I like to support new people, and what I like about you is that you are thinking about it. You referred to it as a project, which makes me think that it is something you are doing for yourself. From your language, I have a feeling that you are like me, introverted, and motivated by personal challenge. You enjoy games and want to combine it with an experience to do something new. You seem like the type of person I would get on with in real life... you are modest and thoughtful and are therefore not the usual young kid with a gaming mic and an obsession with CoD, BF4 and calling people faggots/noobs...

This is all just the impression I got, but that is usually a good starting block! You may not be like that at all, but you haven't turned me away as a potential consumer, so that is a good thing! I look forward to hearing what you come up with! Does the channel exist yet? Can I subscribe so I don't forget?

Honestly, that's a pretty accurate description of myself.
Also, the channel does exist, but I really haven't done anything to it, not even the artwork, but if you want to subscribe here's the link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjnf2l63Qwk2UJJsjZ_dCnA/feed?view_as=public